The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-09-03
AT HARPER'S FERRY.
AN Ex-cONFEDERATE'S TESTIMONY
AS TO JOHN BROWNS COURAGE.
Fight of the Raiders at the Engine-HOuse
Described by One of Browns
Prisoners-Why Brown
Was Not Killed.
[capt. J. E. Daingerfield in The century.l

that subject he was a 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 himself, he said, 1t is all over with
me, and died instantly.
Brown did not leave his post at the port
hole, but when the firing ceased he walked
to his sons body, Strengthened out his
limbs, took off his trappings, then, turn
ing to me- said: This is the
third son L have lost in this
cause - Another son had been shot in
the morning, and was then dying, having
been brought in from the street. While
Brown was a murderer, yet / was con-
strained to think that he was not q
vicious man, but was craZed upon the
subject of slavery. Often during the
affair in the engine-hou when his men
might be passing, Brown would stop
them, saying, "Don't shoot; that man is
unarmed s" The firing was kept up by
our men all day until late at night, and
during this time several of his men were
killed; but, as l said before, none of the
prisoners were hurt though in great
danger.
During the day and night many PROPOSE
tons pre- and con were made, looking to
Browns surrender and the release of the
prisoners, but without result.
WheD Col Lee came with the govern
ment troops, at 1 o'clock at night, he at
once sent flag of truce by his aide, j. Il.
B. Stuart, to notify Brown of his arrival,
and in the name of the United States to
demand his surrender, advising him to
throw himself upon the clemency of the
government
Brown declined to accept Col Lees
terms, and determined to await the at
tack.
When Stuart was admitted and light
brought he exclaimed: why, aren't you
old Ossawatomie Brown, of Kansas, whom
once had there as my prisoner?" Yes,
was the answer, "but you did not keep
me- " This was the first intimation we
had as to Browns true name. He had
been engaged in the Kansas border war,
and had come from there TO Harpers
Ferry. When Col. Lee advised Brown
to trust to the clemency of the govern
ment he responded that he knew what
that meant-a rope for his men and him
seIf-adding. II prefer to die just here.
Stuart told him he would return at
early morning for his final reply, and left
him When he had gone, Brown at once
proceeded to barricade the doors, win
dows, etc., endeavoring to make the place
as strong as possible.
During all this time no one of Browns
men showed the slightest fear, but calmly
awaited the attack, selecting the best stu
atoms to fire from upon the attacking
party, and arranging their guns and pis-
tolls so that fresh one could be taken up
as soon as one was discharged During
the night had long talk with Brown,
and told him that he and his men were
committing treason against the state and
the United States. Two of his men, hear
ing the conversation said to their leader:
Are we committing treason against our
country by being here?" Brown an
swered, Certainly. Both said, If that
is so we don want to fight any more We
thought we came to hberate the slaves,
and did not know that was committing
treason.
Both of these men were killed in the
attack on the engine -house when Brown
was taken.
When Lieut.. Stuart came in the morn
ing for the final reply to the demand to
surrender l got up and went to Browns
side to hear his answer.
Stuart asked, Are you ready to sur
render and trust to the mercy of the
government"
Brown answered promptly, "Nol I
prefer to die here
His manner did not betray the least
fear Stuart stepped aside and made the
signal for the attack, which was instantly
begun with sledge-hammers to break down
the door.
Finding it would not yield, the soldiers
seized long ladder for a battering-ram,
and commenced beating the door with
that, the party within firing inc essantly
l had assisted in the barricading, fixing
the fastenings. so that l could remove
them upon the first effort to get in. But
| was not at the door when the battering
began, and could not get to the fasteningS
until the ladder was used. / then quickly
10 fac nd Oft fTxyn or
three strokes of the ladder the engine
rolled partially back. making small
aperture through which Lieut.. Green, of
the marines forced himself, jumped on
top of the engine, and stood a second in
the midst of shower of balls looking for
John Brown. When he saw Brown he
sprang about twelve feet at him, and gave
an underthrust of his sword, striking him
about midway of the body and raising
him completely from the ground
Brown fell forward with his head be-
tween his knees and Green struck him
several times upon the head, and, as I
then supposed, split his skull at every
stroke.
was not two feet from Brown at that
time. Of course, got out of the build
ing as soon as possible, and did not know
till some time later that Brown was not
killed 1t seems that in making the
thrust Green's sword struck Browns belt
and did not penetrate the body. The
sword was bent double. The reason that
Brown was not killed when struck on the
head was that Green was holding his
sword in the middle, striking with the
hilt and making only scalp wounds
When Governor Wise came and was cx-
amining Brown, heard the questions and
answers, and no lawyer could have used
more careful reserve. while at the same
time he showed no disrespect Governor
Wise was astonished at the answers he re.
cei we'd from Brown.
A ter some controversy between the
United States and the state of Virgin
as to which had jurisdiction over the pri7
oners, Brown was carried to Charlest on
Jail, and after fair trial was hanged
OF course | was a witness at the trial
and must say that l have never seen any
man display more courage and fortitI lie
than John Brown showed under the Il
ing circumstances in which he was plac,
could not go to see him hanged. He la
made me prisoner, but had spared
life and that of other gentlemen in
power; and when his sons were ST.
down beside him almost any other n,