The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-05
THE OLD HOwITzERS.
zxoTHxk cHAPrER IN xHErR
EARLY HISTORY.
THE Part They Took In the Capture,
Guarding and Execution Of John
Brown-Their Return.

In our former article II was told how
the news Of Browns capture Of Har-
per's Ferry had startled the community
and how Governor Wise and STAFF. ac-
companied by Company Il. had left the
city for that place. This was on the 18th
OF October, 1859. In the meantime the
Governor lad ordered by telegraph GER
tain volunteer companies OF Jefferson
county 10 assume at once offensive opera
tions against the invaders. The President
of the United States had also ordered
q body OF marines under Lieutenant
Colonel r. T.. Lee to the scene OF trouble
TO protect the property Of the Govern
ment at that place. and to arrest Brown
and his followers. While Governor Wise
and his troops were on the way the
volunteers of jefferson county had driven
the invaders from their marauding ex-
peditions sn the surrounding country
back into the town Of Harper's Ferry.
and then into the engine-house within the
enclosure OF the Arsenal itself. When
Colonel Lee and his marines arrived at
the latter place he found Brown and his
gang at bay in that building, tesiegcd by
the local military, defying capture and
from improvised loop-holes shooting down
every one who might come within range
Of his deadly rifles We need not stop
hare to describe how that sagacious and
prudent officer succeeded In capturing the
marauder and his party with the
loss of only one man killed and
another but slightly wounded. The par
ticulars OF that stirring event are we'll
known to the world. His conduct on that
occasion was but a feeble forecast of
the splendid career. which afterwards
made bis neme famous and which few
people at that time could have anticipa-
ted. Before the arrival. therefore, of
Governor Wise end his soldiers at Har-
pers Ferry John Brown and those Of
his men who had not been killed were
safely lodged in the jail at Charlestown.
The services OF the Richmond mill
tary were therefore not needed, and
On Friday. the 2lst of October, we find
they and the Governor had all returned
TO their homes. In the meantime the
public mind continued In a state of abnor-
nal excitement. Although the invasion
OF the State and its object had proved
abortiVe and the captured outlaws were
within prison walls a feeling of uneasi-
ness and anxious forebodings prevailed
throughout the community. II was SUD-
posed that the county authorities of JEFF
ferson. together with the military Of the
neighboring country, would be able to
guard the prisoners, and see that they
were safely brought 10 trial
Comparative quiet had therefore been
restored. when. Of a sudden. a report
reached the Governor that the fall at
Charlestown was not a safe place for
the prisoners; and that an attempt was
about to be made to rescue them. Fol-
lowing upon this came rumors and direct
messages from different sources, giving
color to the first report The Governor
did not waste time in endeavoring to find
out whether these rumors were true or
not. Orders had already been issued that
upon any alarm the bell in the old tower
in the Capitol Square should be rung 1t
was on Saturday night. November 18th,
that the citizens OF Richmond were star
tied by the tongue Of the tocsin. The
military at once gathered at their several
places Of meeting ready to respond to
the Governors orders Although the
Howitzers had been but recently organ
ized. and were without uniforms or equip
ments. they were anxious to be called
into service. Captain Randolph FASTENED
TO offer their services TO the Governor
The request was granted. They had al
ready been using red flannel shirts as a
sort of artillery undress uniform when
drilling. AS soon as il was determined
that they were to accompany the other
troops to Harpers Ferry they were
taken TO the State armory. which then
stood on the canal. a few hundred yards
above the city. and provided with mus
kets. white cross belts. cartridge boxes,
and ammunition. That same night
special train of eight cars, by way OF the
Richmond. Fredericksburg and Potomac
railroad, moved out of Richmond with the
Governor and staff. the Blues, Grays,
Company F. Montgomery Guard, the
Howitzers. and perhaps other troops. on
their way TO Harper's Ferry 1t was then
Just 10 o'clock Z. NJ. only three hours
after the first alarm had been sounded
Great was the excitement among the
friends Of the military that night. They
felt convinced that hostilities had already
begun. The troops were supplied with
baskets of provisions and improvised
bundles of extra clothing. blankets. and
every appliance to secure them comfort.
The ladies were. as usual. most enthu-
siastic in their efforts and when the bell
OF the engine gave the signal. the train
moved slowly off. amid the cheering of
the men and the tender blessings of the
women. 1t was chilly November night.
and when the train got out into the
country the air leaked into the cars. The
men. little by little nestled down to rest
under the protection of the blankets and
wraps so recently provided. to doze and
dream away the hours. At A. Nj. on
the Goth the train reached Washington,
where the troops refreshed themselves
they left by way OF the Baltimore and
Ohio railway for Harpers Ferry.
When the train reached the Relay House.
between Washington and Baltimore
the Governor was much disappointed In
not receiving reliable news from Charles
town This added to the general anxiety
and many were the speculations amcng
the troops as to what would he the cut
come at the end of their journey. The
novelties of the surrounding country
through which the train was passing
and the exuberant spirits of the men
diminished, to degree, the ttdiuni of the
ed numerous and conflicting reports came
running over the wires. But nothing of
q definite character seemed to be known
until the train arrived at a station about
twenty miles east Of HarI er's Ferry.
Here halt was ordered until the au-
II critics OF that place could be comnu-
pioated with. The first telegraphic reply
made conveyed the startling information.
that fighting was then going on in tho
streets OF the town, and that the troops
must come on at once. Ammunition had
been served cut 10 the men before they
LETT Richmond. but for prudential reasons
their guns had not been loaded. Being
now about TO approach the scene OF ac-
ton, the order TO load nuskets was
given before the train should move The
fridge boxes and other military ACQUIRE
ments announced the alacrity with which
the order was obeyed. Ir a few minutes