Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-07-09
5flistellameuns &eadima.
THE JOHN BROWN RAID.
THE INSURRECTIONARY ATTdCK 1T HAIR
PER'S FERRY.

THE JOHN BROWN RAID.
THE INSURRECTIONARY ATTACK 1T HAIR
PER'S FERRY.
The Fight at the Engine House, as seen by
one of His Prisoners.
From the Century.
AS to John Brown and his appearance at
Harper's Ferry, probably there is no one
now living who can tell more of that affair
than myself, as I then lived at Harper's
Ferry, and was prisoner of Browns until
rescued by Gen. Robert f. Lee, then Colo
mel in the United States Army. Prior to
Browns sudden appearance at the Ferry,
there had been seen by the neighbors small
squads of men with picks and spades mov-
ing about the mountain-sides, making small
excavations here and there, pretending to be
looking for gold, of which they declared the
mountains were full.
They went repeatedly to the small prop
erty-owners, trying to buy land until all the
neighborhood was much excited, and they
had succeeded in diverting the minds of the
people from their real object. These men
had rented house near the Ferry, where
they were seen in small parties, but never
in such large numbers as to excite suspicion.
but they excited no suspicion, as strangers
were always there viewing the scenery and
government works. Brown himself was
said to have been seen there often, but do
not recollect meeting him, and feel sure his
appearance would have made an impression
on me. When his plans were matured, by
the aid of one Cook, who was citizen ofthe
town, he determined to make his invasion
to release the negroes of Virginia from SER
vitude. His descent upon the town was in
this wise:
On Sunday night, October 18th, 1859,
about twelve or one o'clock, the gate-keeper
Maryland was startled by the steady tramp
of many men approaching the gate, having
with them wagons, who, upon reaching the
gate, ordered it to be opened to them. This
the gate-keeper refused to do, saying they
were strangers. They, however, while par
leying with him, seized him and, present
ing pistol at his head, compelled him to be
silent. They then wrenched off the locks
and came over, he thinks about sixty strong,
though he was evidently frightened and
could not speak with accuracy.
Upon getting over, the first building taken
possession of was the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, then in charge of very trusty
negro, who slept in the building. Upon
Browns men demanding admittance, he
refused to let them come in, saying he was
in charge, and his instructions were to let
no one in at night. He was then shot down,
a negro faithful to his trust being the first
victim of those whose mission it was to free
the African race from bondage.
Browns party next proceeded to the ho-
tel, raped up the landlord, put him under
arrest, and placed guards at the doors, so
that no one could 60 out or come in. All
this was in perfect quiet at dead of night.
They went next to place guards at the ar
senal and armories, and fix their pickets at
all the streets, s. hat no one could come or
go who was not at once picked up and
placed with an armed guard over him and
compelled to be silent.
Next they divided their force, sending
Cook with some men to seize Col. Washing
ton and other shareholders. These gentle
men Browns party walked from sleep and
compelled to 60 with them as prisoners, at
the same time taking all the slaves they
could find, carriages, horses, etc.
With the prisoners and property they had
collected they returned to Harper's Ferry
before daylight, and thence across the bridge
into Maryland and Pennsylvania. The gen.
tlemen arrested were left as prisoners with
John Brown. This seems to have been the
programme for the night; now as to my in
PRODUCTION to John Brown, and what occur
red afterwards.
About daylight one of my servants came
to my room door and told me "there was war
in the street." l, of course, got up at once,
dressed, and went out, my dwelling being
round 1 saw nothing exciting. The only
person in view was man from the country,
who was riding rapidly, and I supposed he
had lost some of his negroes, who had been
stopped at the bridge and made fight.
l walked towards my Office, then just
within the army enclosure, and not more
than hundred yards from my dwelling.
AS proceeded | saw man coming out of
an alley near me, then another, and another,
all coming towards me. When they came
up to me inquired what all this meant !;
they said nothing, only they had taken pos
session of the government works.
1 told them they talked like crazy men.
They answered, Not so crazy as you think,
had not seen any arms presently, however,
the men threw back the short cloaks they
wore, and displayed Sharpe's rifles, pistols
and knives. Seeing these and fearing some
thing serious was going on, told the men
/ believed l would return to my quarters.
They at once cooked their guns, and told me
/ was prisoner. This surprised me, Of
course, but could do nothing, being entire
ly unarmed. / talked with them a 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 would be shot down. / then asked
them what they intended to do with me.
They said | was in no personal danger they
only wanted to carry me to their captain,
John Smith. 1 asked where Capt. Smith
was. They answered, cat the guard-house,
inside Of the armory inclosure." l told
them would go there, as that was the point
for which first started. My office was at
this place, and l felt uneasy lest the vault
might have been broken open.
Upon reaching the gate saw what in
deed, looked like War-negroes armed with
pixies, and sentinels with muskets all around.
When I reached the gate l was turned over
to "Captain Smith,"
He called me by name, and asked if
knew Col. Washington and others, men,
tioning familiar names. | said / did, and
he then said, "Sir, you will find them
there" motioning me towards the engine
room.
We were not kept closely confined, but
were allowed to converse with him. l ask
ed him what his object was he replied, "To
free the negroes of Virginia." He added that
he was prepared to do it, and by twelve
o'clock would have fifteen 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 concealed men.
All the stores, as well as the arsenal, were
in the hands of Browns men, and it was
impOSSibe to get either arms or ammuni-