The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-08-26
JOHN BROWN.
Lees Capture Of the Immortal John at Har-
Psrs Ferry.
The Excitement Attending Governor wise's
Order to Capture and Kill All In
Vaders of Virginia SOiI'-Inter-
esting "Reminiscences of
the Memorable
Scene.
New York SUM-


that Governor Wise had called out the First
Regiment of Virginia Volunteers to proceed
to Harpers Ferry and capture or kill the
foreign insurgents who had invaded and des-
ecrated the sacred soil of the State" the ex-
citement which prevailed beggars descrip-
ton. Political feeling ran high. and events
that had previously occurred in Kansas and
elsewhere had warmed the hot blood of the
South to fever heat. That John Brown was
in the State, and in the possession of Har-
peTs Ferry, threatening to swOop down on
the peaceful farms of the neighbOr-
hood and release the slaves, was a monstrous
fact that 10 the impulsiye Nirginians meant
war 10 the knife.
The several companies of the regiment re
spOnded quickly, and the widest enthusiasm
prevailed. There were then only young and
inexperienced soldiers. who had many bit
ter lesson TO learn afterward. But for the
moment they We're, in the eyes of the assem-
bled mothers, wives, and sweethearts, he
TOes who We're about TO risk their lives in the
then much talked OF ''irrepressible conflict"
There were those, however, in the great null
titude which gathered at tho point of depar-
ture who scanned with anxious eyes the
future of which this was but the ris-
ing of the curtain. They were the frag
ment Of the old Wing party then in eX-
tence, who, when the real struggle began in
1861, rallied around the flag of the Union un-
der the leadership of John Minor Bolts, and
with him remained true 10 the end. Vir-
ginians though they We're it was a sad hour
TO them when the flower of their young
chivalry stepped forth to inaugurate war
which they even then felt was TO end only
IN disaster.
The point of rendezvous was in Broad
street, near Ninth, where stood special
train ready to take the troops to the scene of
action. Just before the moment of starting
~Ha Of I,fn
arrived, and when it was announced that ne
had LETT the cares OF state to engage in the
supposed carnage of the coming battle the
cheers for the game-cock of the Accomac"
were long and vOciferOus. As he entered the
cars the band led by James Smith, a famous
cornet player in those days, played Hail 10
the Chief, and as the train moved slowly
up Broad street. followed by thousands on a
half run along the sidewalks the air was
changed 10 The Girl Left Behind Me- and
1.-The Old Folks at Home"
Leaving Richmond soon after dark, the
soldiers arrived IL Washington before day
light the following morning. Hoping to be
recognized by President Buchanan, the
regiment marched past the White House,
but the heavy tramp of thousand men fall
ed 10 disturb the slumbers of the Chief Mag
istTate, or N least he did not show himself,
which caused Wise to Indignantly declare,
Were j Presinent of the United States, no
body OF armed men should march through
the capital of the Union without my know
ing it," And he never fOrgave Buchanan
for what he termed studied slight. A train
being in readiness TO convey the Virginia
soldiers TO Harper's Ferry, there was no de-
lay, and they arrived at the southern or east
eTn end of the bridge before daylight. For
reasons that have not been explained, the
ears cid not cross, and the regiment, headed
by the Governor disembarked. Having been
formed in line, Wise addressed the men in
one of his imprisoned speeches in which he
called attention TO the perilOus mission they
were about TO enter. He did not know, he
said who might be on the other side of the
bridge, ready to receive them with murder
Gus arms, out no man was compelled to cross
against his will. Then raising his voice, he
exclaimed in his passionate way: But those
who believe in the integrity of Virginia, and
would not see our old mother State stained
by the deeds of assassin invaders, let them
follow me-" Thereupon the excitable old
gentleman dramatically stepped out, and, of
course, was followed by every man in the
regiment. Much to their surprise there was
not being To be seen on the opposite side OF
the bridge. They moved down the hill to
the immediate vicinity of the United States
armOry and arsenal, and there remained
under arms, waiting to see what would turn
Up after daylight.
The scene was not without interest To a
lover of nature it was full of beauty. The
foliage of the Maryland Heights was clad in
Virginia side threw their broad shadows over
the ripping Shenandoah, and calm rested on
the little town that was TO be so soon a
theatre of strife. To the public man, watch
ing the course OF events great tragedy was
about TO be enacted. The attention of the
American people was fastened to that one
spot. A principle was at stake, and men on
both sides were there to defend it with their
lives.
Opposite the camp the First Virginia Regi-
al -. Il
the armOry and engine house. In the latter
John Brown and his little force had taken
refuge, and that they were desperate in their
environment was indicated by the muzzles
OF a score or more rifles which could be seen
prOtTuding from the apertures in the walls.
1t would have required good marksmaa to
send bullet through one of those narrow
openings through which the Kansas men
could at will do effective work. Meanwhile,
Gov. Wise and the commanding officers of
the regiment had adjourned to a neighbOr-
ing hotel for consultation. With the early
morning hours, other trains arrived, bring
ing soldiers from various parts of the State,
from Winchester, StauntOn, Lexington and
other towns. How these people from the
valleys reached Harper's Ferry so quickly
was a mystery 10 the soldiers from the tide
water. subsequently it was learned that
where they were railroads the stage lines,
private vehicles, and country wagons were
pressed into service for the purpose of bring
ing to the scene of action the thousands of
imPetuous men who were then good deal
more eager to fight than they were a few
years afterward. when they became famous
| as ''StOnewall JacksOn's Foot Cavalry"
4 The trains of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road had been ordered by telegraph not to
pass Harper's Ferry until further orders, and
there was consequently blockade west of
Martinsburg Every patriot on the field who
wished TO die for old Virginia was well aware
of this, and therefore great was the consterna-
ton when in the rear tram was heard ap-
preaching IL made no sign. The whistle
lof the locomotive was silent, and at snail
like pace it crept across the bridge and stop
lPed at the depot. Directly band of uni
Horn men were seen alighting from the cars.
tThey were body of United States marines
under the command of Col. Robert E. Lee.
IThey marched with disciplined step in front
lof the volunteers and stacked arms. Wise
was an exceedingly sensitive man, and a
lGOveTnor, jealous of his Preogatives. Under
ltbe existing conditions he was not disposed
20 brook any outside interference in behalf of
Virginia. Accordingly, when a little later,