From October 16 to 18, 1859, American abolitionist John Brown attempted to initiate a slave revolt in Southern states by raiding an armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. The raid is frequently cited as o
1897 illustration of U.S. Marines attacking John Brown's "Fort" on October 18
Artist Jacob Lawrence's conception of Brown trying to persuade abolitionist Frederick Douglass to join him in the raid on Harpers Ferry. Douglass refused, as he believed Brown would fail.
John Brown in 1859
1862 photograph of the Harpers Ferry arsenal; the "engine house", later called "John Brown's Fort", is on the left.
John Brown's raiders
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On Sunday night, October 16, 1859, the abolitionist John Brown led a band of 22 in a raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia.
John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry
…an armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia). The raid is frequently cited as one of the primary causes of the American Civil War. Brown's party of 22 was defeated by a platoon of U.S. Marines, led by First Lieutenant Israel Greene. Ten of the raiders were killed during the raid, seven were tried and…
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