The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-03-10


a few moments was dead Mr. Beckham
Mavor of the town, who came within
range of the insurgents rifles as they
were exchanging volleys with the Nir
ginians, was likewise killed
At the suggestion of Mr.. kitzmiller
one of Browns prisoners, Aaron ID
Stevens, one of his most trusted followers
from Kansas, was sent ont with a flag OF
truce 10 call a parley, but was instantly
shot down by the Nirginians, receiving
SIX balls in his person.
Thompson, their prisoner, was attacked
by scores of them in the parlor where he
was confined, but saved for the moment
by Young lady throwing herself between
him and their presented rifles, because,
as she afterward explained, she did not
want the carpet spoiled"
He was dragged out to the bridge,
there shot in cold blood, and his body
riddled with balls at the base of the pier,
whittier he had fallen 40 feet from the
bridge.
BY this time, more militia had arrived
from every quarter, and q party from
Martinsburg, led by a railroad conductor,
attacked the Armory buildings in the
rear, while detachment Of the same
force assailed them in front. Brown,
seeing that his enemies were in over
whelming force, retreated TO the engine
house, where he repulsed his assailants,
Who lost two killed and six wounded.
MORE MILITIA PoURs IN.
Still, militia continued TO pour in the
telegraph and railroad having been COM
pletely repaired, 50 that the Government
at Washington, Gov. Wise at Richmond,
and the authorities at Baltimore, were in
immediate communication with Harper's
Ferry, and hurrying forward troops from
all quarters TO oyerwhelm the remaining
handful of insurgents, whom terror and
rumor had multiplied to 20 times their
actual number.
At five D. m, Capt. Simms arrived,
with militia from Maryland, and COM
pleted the investment of the Armory
buildings, whence Is prisoners had al
ready been liberated upon the retreat of
Brown 10 the engine-house.
Col. Baylor commanded in chief
The firing ceased at nightfall. Brown
offered TO iberate his prisoners, upon
condition that his men should be per
mitted TO cross the bridge in safety,
which was refused. Night found
Browns forces reduced to three un-
wounded whites beside himself, with
perhaps half q dozen negroes from the
vicinity. Eight Of the insurgents were
already dead another lay dying be-
side the survivors; two were captiyes
mortally wounded, and one other hurt
Around the few survivors were ] ,500
armed, infuriated foes Half a dozen
Of the party, who had been sent out at
early morning by Brown to capture
Shareholders, and liberate slaves, were
absent, and unable, even if willing, to
rejoin Their chief. They fled during
the night to Maryland and Pennsyl-
vania but most Of them were ultimately
captured.
ARRIVAL OF col. i. i. LEE.
During that night, Col. Lee, with 90
United States marines and two pieces of
artillery, arrived and took possession of
the Armory guard, very close to the
engine-house.
Brown, Of course, remained awake
and alert through the night, discounted
and beyond earthly hope, but perfectly
cool and calm. Said Gov. Wise, in
speech at Richmond soon after:
Col Washington said that Brown was the
coolest man h ever saw in defying death
and danger. With one son dead by his side
and anoti.er shot through. he felt the pulse
of his dying son with one hand. held his rifle
with the other, and commanded his men
with the utmost composure, encouraging
them 10 be finn, and to sell their lives as
dearly as possible.
Conversing with Col. Washington
during that solemn night, he said he
had not pressed his sons to join him in
this expedition, but did not regret their
loss-they had died in a good cause.
AT ,ven in the morning, after
parley which resulted in nothing, the
marines advanced to the assault broke
in the door Of the engine-house by using
ladder as a battering-ram. and rushed
into tie building. One of the defenders
was shot and two marines wounded
but The odds were too great in an In
slant, all resistance was over.
Brown was struck in the face with a
saber and knocked down, after which
the blow was several times repeated,
while a soldier ran a bayonet twice into
the old mans body. All the insurgents,
il is said, would have been killed on the
spot, had the Nirginians been able to
distinguish them with certainty from
their prisoners.
RUSH TO HARPER's FERRY
Of course, all Virginia. including her
Governor, rushed TO Harper's Ferry
upon learning that all was over, and
the insurrection completely suppressed.
The bleeding survivors were subjected
to an alienation OF queries and execra-
tions, which they met bravely, as they
had confronted the bullets of their