Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-10-16
Part Played Be- Alexandrians in
Bringing Insurrection to
Speedy Close.

was eXclteu over the IHaa acI VI Joiiil
Brown and a few Of his dupes by all
attempt upon the part of the old
fanatic to cause an uprising of the
slaves in this state. The history OF
this visionary man has often been
written. He was celebrated for noth-
ing save lifelong antipathy to slavery.
He was charged with dark deeds be-
fore he came to Virginia. He was at
one time a wool merchant, but prov
ed failure in the commercial world,
and, like many others since incapable
of managing his own affairs, he
imagined he was called to play part
equal to that of Moses.
On Monday, October 1G, 1859, the
country was startled By telegraphlc
announcements that an insurrectlon
had occurred at Harper's Ferry, III
Jefferson county, now West Virginia,
and that certain persons had taken
nossession of the United States Ar
senal. located there; that hey had
committed many outrages by selzlns
citizens, firing into passing trains,
killing several persons. and SEEING
gcl1:clcs. which they loaded with arms,
taken from the Government arsenal,
which they removed; cutting also
the telegraph wires to prevent early
information of their operations being
i;nown. Notwithstanding this pre-
caution or the part of these assas-
sins, the news was speedily communl-
lated to the country. Henry A. Wise
Governor of Virginia, took Immediate
steps to suppress the insurrection.
md for this purpose summoned the
troops Of the Commonwealth, resld-
ing adjacent to Harper'S Ferry, and
those within easy communication by
all to repair at once to Harper's
Ferry. Among the earlie:l to arrive
we're the Alexandria Riileman, Capt,
Morton AIarye. which escorted the
Governor to the scene Of operations.
The insurrcction was 3rief, but
sharp affair. On the evening Of the
18th OF October, General Robert &.
Lee. then Colonel in the U. s. Army.
arrived with company # marines.
and on the following morning, Colo
3rl Shut, bearing flag OF truce. de-
,aanded the surrender or the insur-
gents. which. being refused. the ma.
rines by order of Col. Lee advanced,
charged, and endeavored to break
down the door Of the !Arn.ory, which
building the congpir&tors occupied,
and where they held as prisoners,
several citizens and Government en-
ployces. 4 large ladder used as 4
gathering ram forced the door, under
{. brisk fire from the insurgents. In
the melee three marines and several
citizens held by them, were killed;
and among the latter son Of Brown,
he ringlaadar Brown himself being
badly wounded. The Virginia troops,
adjacent to Harper's Ferry, were on
the ground, when Colonel Lees com
nand arrived, and shortly after the
capture Of Brown, Cook, Coppic,
Green and Copeland, the latter two
negroes, and the other insurgents,
Governor Wise arrived with the Alex
andria Rifiemen and other Virginia
troops Shortly thereafter, there also
arrived the 10th regiment Virginia
Militia, commanded by Colonel Chas.
E. Stuart, Of Alexandria. the 179th
regiment. commanded by Lieut.. Colo.
mel E. l.. Brockett. Of Petersburg, |
The first regiment: Colonel Thomas ?.
August, Of Richmond. the Alexandra
Artillery. Capt. DufFey and the Mount
Vernon Guards, Capt. S. il. Devauehn
Of Alexandria. BY appointment of
Colonel Stuart, orderly Sergeant VIM.
". Rock was put in charge Of reg;-
mental headquarters. After the cap
sure Of Brown and his party. the
people would have made short work
Of them but for the presence of Cola.
'el Lee and Governor Wise, who had !
ust arrived. and who said the con-
'n'rators should he tried according
the law Of the iand. that no harm !;
taH'j 5cfa'l them meanwhile. Brown
.. e. confederatcs were removed
. - ''"-town. Jefferson county. fo:
'"'' Tor "lasurrection ard murder. F."
'.,.'n was executed on the ID of Dec
'a'oeF' 1859, ard John E. Cook, Edwin
yopPlc Shields Green and John Cone
ard - the 10Th OF the same month
During their absence a Home
'nard was organized for the pro- :
ectlon OF the town, and Col. William
}. ka01nSI. a1n,toJ 60. /,