The times., 1901-06-09
BROWNS RAID RECALLED
RecollectiOns of the Excitement 1t
Caused in Washington.
AN Old Citizen Tells How the Cap
itaI Waited for News-The Eiec-
tion of Lincoln and n Battle Not
Recorded by the Historians.


itaI Waited for News-The EIec-
tion of Lincoln and n Battle Not
Recorded by the Historians
The tragic history of the John Brown
raid at Harper's Ferry is too well known
to need repetition. but the feeling in
Washington at the time and subsequent
disturbances recalled by an old lnhaDl-
.ant recently are of interest
"Of course" said this old gentleman,
great excitement was caused in this
city as elsewhere, and during the day
following the announcement Of the out
break there was manifested the greatest
eagerness to learn of its progress and
success At 3 o'clock Of the morning OF
October Is, 1859. Governor Wise, of Fir-
Rinia arrived in Washington. accompa-
MED by the Greys of Richmond, about
sixty in number, and the Alexander Ri
fes Governor Wise found Mayor James
G.. Berret at the City Hall, surrounded by
the police. and remained there most Of
the time until 6 o'clock, when he took
the train for Harper's Ferry. At o'clock
in the afternoon the mail boat from Ac-
ouia creek and other boats on the Poto-
mac River brought UP five companies Of
Virginia troops, numbering about 300 men.
Two or three Of these companies marched
Immediately 10 the railroad depot, but re-
ceiving there a despatch from Governor
Wise, they returned, the Young Guard of
Richmond taking the opportunity TO pa
rade along Pennsylvania Avenue.
THE suspense in this city for the fol-
lowing couple Of days was painful Ia
the extreme. no one knowing what TO
expect, and hence fearing the worst. On
Sunday, November 90 Governor Wise,
with a regiment Of Virginia volunteers
from Richmond, 404 strong, arrived In
washington leaving for Harpers Ferry
at 10 a. M, that day. In the afternoon
three companies from Petersburg arriY-
cd and. as they could not get out Of
town they remained until next morning
"Ou November q, 1855, company Of
troons arrived in the city bound for
(vharIestown. va, and on the Z5tn thfee
other companies arrived, bound Tor lhs
same destination, notwlths1andlhg lheIe
were then stationed at that point 1J0 men,
and in the entire county there were uh-
der arms not less than l,00 men; thus IN
dfcteiug the necessity for strong iofce
20 prevent the spreading of the insurTec-
tfonarv movement into Virginia. Inc
execution Of John Brown followed IN
lev DAYS afterWard. on December =
..'The ferment caused by the John Brown
raid did not cease before other occasions
of excitement arose Jne hepuD!lctH A AAs-
sociation of Washington on May y, lS51'
I'D a meeting 10 ratify the nomination
~ Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Ham
lin TO the positions of President and Vice
President OF the United States b. Is.
French. president OF the association, ad-
dressed the assemblage, which gathered
IN front of the City Hall, and read Sc
sjes OF resolutions expressive of the sen
tiueEts of the Republican party. Hon.
n DoolittIe. Senator from Wisconsin,
presented very briefly the positions of the
Two great parties. Hon. Israel WASH
burn. Of Maine, said that while he had
te could to secure the election OF Mr.
Lincoln. x-,,-, -. -.
zion of Nr. Lincoln that there occurred
a. Washington what am disposed TO con-
slider the first battle of the civil war. Late
on the night of the election the result
koecame known and toward midnight IL
ySas rroDosed and agreed to at the Breck-
inridge headquarters, on Pennsylvania