John Brown led 21 men in a raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, attempting to spark a slave rebellion. The raid failed, leading to Brown's capture by U.S. Marines under Robert E. Lee and his subsequent execution on December 2, 1859.

John Brown's dramatic raid on Harpers Ferry in October 1859 marked a pivotal moment in American history that helped spark the Civil War. The controversial abolitionist led 21 men in an assault on the federal armory in Virginia with the aim of starting a slave rebellion across the South.

The raid's failure led to Brown's swift capture by U.S. Marines under the command of Colonel Robert E. Lee. What followed was one of the most significant trials and executions in American history that drew intense reactions from both pro-slavery Southerners and Northern abolitionists who viewed Brown either as a terrorist or a martyr for the anti-slavery cause.

On October 16, 1859, John Brown launched his raid on Harpers Ferry with 21 men, including 16 white abolitionists and 5 Black freedmen. The raiders seized control of the federal armory and arsenal, taking 60 prominent locals as hostages.

The raid's timeline unfolded in distinct phases:

• Seized the armory at 10:30 PM, capturing night watchman
• Cut telegraph wires to prevent communication
• Detained Baltimore & Ohio train passengers for 5 hours
• Captured additional hostages throughout the morning
• Faced militia resistance by dawn on October 17

Local militia and armed townspeople surrounded the engine house where Brown's group had retreated. The standoff statistics revealed:

Category	Number
Raiders killed	10
Raiders captured	7
Civilians killed	4
Marines killed	1
Total hostages	60

Colonel Robert E. Lee arrived with 88 U.S. Marines on October 18, commanding Lieutenant J.E.B. Stuart to negotiate Brown's surrender. After Brown refused, Marines stormed the engine house using sledgehammers to break down the door. The assault lasted 3 minutes, ending with Brown's capture.

The raid's aftermath brought immediate consequences:

• Marines secured the armory within 15 minutes
• Local authorities arrested surviving raiders
• Officials recovered weapons including 198 rifles
• Virginia Governor Henry Wise ordered increased militia presence
• Federal troops maintained control of Harpers Ferry for 24 hours

The failed raid marked Brown's final militant action against slavery, leading to his swift arrest and subsequent trial in Charles Town, Virginia (now West Virginia).

John Brown's capture at Harpers Ferry occurred on October 18, 1859, after a 36-hour standoff ended in a decisive military assault. The raid's failure led to Brown's immediate arrest along with his surviving followers.

Local militia forces trapped Brown's raiders in the armory's engine house, where they held their remaining hostages. Brown's position deteriorated as his men faced mounting casualties:

• 10 raiders died during the confrontation
• 5 were captured while trying to escape
• 7 remained with Brown in the final standoff
• 4 hostages were held inside the engine house

Colonel Robert E. Lee took command of the operation after arriving with 88 U.S. Marines from Washington D.C. The federal response unfolded in rapid succession:

Timeline	Action
October 18, 5:00 AM	Lee arrived at Harpers Ferry
October 18, 6:30 AM	Lieutenant J.E.B. Stuart delivered surrender terms
October 18, 7:00 AM	Marines breached the engine house door
October 18, 7:05 AM	Marines captured Brown & surviving raiders

Lt. Israel Green struck Brown with his sword during the assault, though the blade bent on Brown's belt. Marine Private Luke Quinn died in the final attack, becoming the only federal casualty of the assault. The Marines secured the engine house within three minutes, ending the raid definitively.

John Brown's trial began on October 27, 1859, in Charles Town Virginia, just 10 days after his capture at Harpers Ferry. The proceedings moved swiftly through the Virginia court system under Judge Richard Parker's supervision.

The Commonwealth of Virginia charged John Brown with three capital crimes: conspiracy to incite slave insurrection treason against Virginia murder. The prosecution presented evidence from 24 witnesses over three days establishing Brown's role in organizing the raid planning the weapons seizure killing civilians. Brown's court-appointed defense attorneys attempted to enter a plea of insanity which he firmly rejected maintaining his rational state of mind throughout the proceedings.

On November 2, 1859, Brown delivered his final address to the court lasting 8 minutes. His speech emphasized the moral righteousness of his actions citing biblical references to justify his opposition to slavery. Standing before Judge Parker Brown declared:

"Had I interfered in the manner which I admit... in behalf of the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the so-called great... every man in this court would have deemed it an act worthy of reward rather than punishment."

Key points from his address included:

• Acknowledgment of his intent to free enslaved people
• Rejection of charges that he acted out of malice
• Assertion that his actions aligned with God's commandments
• Defense of his right to resist unjust laws

The speech garnered widespread attention in newspapers across the nation reinforcing Brown's impact on the national debate over slavery. After deliberating for 45 minutes the jury returned with a guilty verdict on all charges.

Following his conviction on November 2, 1859, John Brown's final days unfolded in Charles Town, Virginia, leading to his execution on December 2, 1859. The month-long period between his sentencing and execution became a defining moment in American history.

Brown spent his final 30 days in the Charles Town jail under heavy military guard, with over 1,500 Virginia militiamen stationed around the facility. His cell measured 15 x 10 feet, containing a bed, table, chair, and a wood-burning stove. Visitors included his wife Mary, four of his surviving sons, journalists, clergy members, and notable abolitionists like Lydia Maria Child. The prison authorities permitted Brown to receive correspondence, resulting in hundreds of letters from both supporters and detractors.

Brown composed 45 letters during his imprisonment, addressing family members, supporters, and the public. His most notable correspondence included:

• A letter to his family on November 30 emphasizing his peace with death
• A prophetic note predicting the coming civil conflict
• Instructions for his wife regarding the disposal of his remains
• Messages to fellow abolitionists urging peaceful resistance

His final written statement, penned on the morning of his execution, read: "I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood." Brown handed this note to his jailer before walking to the gallows, maintaining his composure throughout his final moments.

Prison Statistics	Details
Days in Prison	30
Cell Size	15 x 10 feet
Guards Present	1,500+
Letters Written	45
Official Visitors	25+

John Brown's execution took place in Charles Town, Virginia, at 11:00 AM on December 2, 1859. The event drew significant attention with 2,000 soldiers forming a perimeter around the gallows.

The execution site was positioned in a field on the southern edge of Charles Town. Virginia Governor Henry Wise ordered 1,500 militiamen to maintain a strict security cordon, preventing any potential rescue attempts. Brown rode to the gallows in a wagon seated atop his own coffin, accompanied by jailer John Avis. The hanging lasted 45 minutes from arrival to pronouncement of death, with Brown showing remarkable composure throughout the proceedings.

Execution Details	Data
Time of Execution	11:00 AM
Military Present	2,000 soldiers
Duration	45 minutes
Location	Charles Town, VA
Witnesses	400 people

Brown's Final Communications	Count
Letters written in jail	45
Visitors received	60
Words in final statement	25
Minutes on scaffold	15

John Brown's execution transformed him into a powerful symbol in American history, polarizing the nation along sectional lines. His death sparked intense reactions that accelerated the country's path toward civil war.

Northern abolitionists elevated Brown to martyr status immediately after his execution. Ralph Waldo Emerson declared Brown would "make the gallows glorious like the cross," while Henry David Thoreau compared him to Christ in his essay "A Plea for Captain John Brown." Public demonstrations occurred in 54 Northern cities on the day of Brown's execution, with church bells tolling in Boston, Philadelphia, and other major urban centers. Prominent abolitionists Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison praised Brown's sacrifice, using his death to intensify anti-slavery sentiment across the North.

Brown's execution deepened the divide between North and South, contributing directly to the outbreak of the Civil War. Southern states interpreted Northern sympathy for Brown as a threat to their security, leading 7 states to strengthen their militia forces within 6 months of his death. The raid and execution featured prominently in the 1860 presidential campaign, with Abraham Lincoln's election victory prompting South Carolina to cite Northern support for Brown's actions in its declaration of secession. Military leaders who participated in Brown's capture, including Robert E. Lee and J.E.B. Stuart, later became prominent Confederate commanders, demonstrating how the event shaped military allegiances in the coming conflict.

Region	Response to Brown's Death
North	54 cities held demonstrations
South	7 states increased militia forces
National	Featured in 1860 presidential debates
Military	Influenced future Confederate leaders' allegiances

• John Brown was executed on December 2, 1859, at 11:00 AM in Charles Town, Virginia, approximately six weeks after his failed raid on Harpers Ferry.
• The raid on Harpers Ferry (October 16-18, 1859) involved 21 men and resulted in 10 raiders killed, 7 captured, and 4 civilian casualties before Brown's capture by U.S. Marines.
• Brown's trial began on October 27, lasted just one week, and resulted in his conviction for treason, conspiracy, and murder after just 45 minutes of jury deliberation.
• During his 30-day imprisonment, Brown wrote 45 letters and received numerous visitors, maintaining his anti-slavery stance and prophetically predicting the coming Civil War.
• The execution was heavily guarded by 2,000 soldiers and witnessed by 400 people, with Brown displaying remarkable composure throughout the proceedings.

John Brown's execution on December 2 1859 stands as a pivotal moment that forever changed the course of American history. His unwavering dedication to abolishing slavery through militant action and his dignified demeanor during his final days transformed him from a controversial figure into a powerful symbol.

The impact of his death reverberated throughout the nation sparking drastically different reactions between the North and South. While abolitionists hailed him as a martyr Southern states viewed his actions and Northern support as a direct threat that demanded military preparation. His raid execution and legacy became catalysts that pushed an already divided nation closer to the brink of Civil War.