Connecticut western news., 1885-06-10


 to my quarters. They at once cooked their guns, and told me I was prisoner. This surprised me, of course, but could do nothing, being entirely unarmed. talked with them some little time longer, and again essayed to return to my house; but one of the men stepped be- fore me, presented his gun, and told me if moved I would be shot down. 1 then asked them what they intended to do with me. They said I was in nc personal danger; they only wanted to carry me to their captain, John Smith. I asked where Captain Smith was. They answered, "At the guard-house, inside of the armory inclosure." I told them l would go there, as that was the point for which I first started. My office was at this place and I felt uneasy lest the vault might have been broken open.
 Upon reaching the gate saw what, indeed, looked like war-negroes armed with bikes, and sentinels with muskets all around. When I reached the gate I was nturnedg over to 'Captain Smith. "
 He called me by name, and asked if l knew Colonel Washington and others, mentioning familiar names. I said I did, and he then said, "Sir, you will find them there, motioning me toward the engine-room. ....
 We were not kept closely confined, but were allowed to converse with him. I asked him what his object was; he re- piled, "To free the negroes of Virginia. " He added that he was prepared to do it, and by twelve o'clock would have ff- teen hundred men with him, ready armed.
 Up to this time the citizens had hardly begun to move about, and knew nothing of the raid.
 When they learned what was going on, some came out armed with old shot, guns, and were themselves shot by con- cealed men. All the stores, as well as the arsenal, were in the hands of Browns men, and it was impossible to get either arms or ammunition, there being hardly any private arms owned by the citizens. At last, however, few weapons were obtained, and body of citizens crossed the river and advanced from the Mary land side. They made 8 vigorous attack, and in few minutes caused all the in- vaders who were not killed to retreat to Brown inside of the armory gate. Then he entered the engine-house, carrying his prisoners along, or rather part of them. as he made selections among them.
 After getting into the engine-house with his men, he made this speech: Gentlemen, perhaps you wonder why I have selected you from the others. It is because I believe you to be the most and I have only to say now that you will have to share the same fate that your friends extend to my men. |" He began at once to bar the doors and windows, and to cut port-holes through the brick wall.
 Then commenced a terrible firing from without, from every point from which the windows could be seen, and in few minutes every window was shattered, and hundreds of balls came through the doors. These shots were answered from within whenever the at tacking party could be seen. This was kept up most of the day, and strange to say, no prisoner was hurt, though thou sands of balls were imbedded in sthe walls, and holes shot in the doors almost large enough for aman to creep through.
 At night the firing ceased, for we were in total darkness, and nothing could bs seen in the engine-hous @.
 During the day and night I talked much with John Brown, and found him as brave as man could be, and sensible upon all subjects except slavery. Upon that question he was religious fanatic, and believed it was his duty to free the slaves, even if in doing so he lost his own life.
 During sharp fight one of Browns sons was killed. He fell; then trying to raise himselfhe said, "It is all over with me-" and died instantly.
 Brown did not leave his post at the port-hole, but when the fighting ceased he walked to his son's body, strengthened out his limbs, took off his trappings then turning to me, said, ''This is the third son have lost in this cause." An other son had been shot in the morning and was then dying, having beer brought in from the street. Whil Brown was a murderer, yet was con strained to think ;that he was not @ vi. cious man, but wasscrazed::upon the sub ject of slavery. Often during the affail in the engine-house, when his me1 would want to fire upon some one who might be seen passing, Brown would stop them saying, "Don't shoot; that man is unarmed." The firing was kep up by our men all day and until late a night, and during this time several O his men were killed; but as I said before none of the prisoners were hurt, thougl in great danger.
 During the day and night man. propositions pro and con were made looking to Browns surrender and tn release of the prisoners, but without re suit.
 When Colonel Lee came with tn Government troops, at one o'clock a night, he at once sent flag of truce b, his aide, J. B. B. Stuart, to motif Brown of his arrival, and in the nam, of the United States to demand his SUI render, advising him to throw himse upon the clemency of the Government
 Brown declined to accept Colont Lees terms, and determined to ava the attack.
 When Stuart was admitted, aud
 light brought, he exclaimed: "WhJ aren't you old Ossawatomie Brown, (
 Kansas, whom once had there as m
 prisoner p "Yes," was the answer I FN