The Meteor

JOHN BROWN’S RAID ON HARPERS

FERRY

John Brown’s Raid:

• In 1859, John Brown and his followers seized a federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia.

What is an arsenal?

John Brown in August, 1859.

Engine house at Harpers Ferry; aka John Brown’s Fort

INSIDE THE ENGINE HOUSE AT HARPER’S FERRY

1. What do you think is going on in this image?

2. Who are the people and what are they doing?

3. Who is the leader of this scene?

IMAGE ANALYSIS

From Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, November 5, 1859

1. Who are the people in this image?

2. What objects do you see?3. What do you think is going on

in this image?

IMAGE ANALYSIS 2

From Harper’s Weekly Magazine, November 5, 1859

1. Where are they?2. Based on their facial

expression and body language, how do the people standing feel?

3. Based on their facial expression, how do the people in the crowd feel?

IMAGE ANALYSIS 3

From Harper’s Weekly, November 12, 1859

THE SITUATION On October 16, 1859, a group of raiders led by John Brown attacked the United States Armory at Harpers Ferry, (West) Virginia.

After a day of fighting with the local militia, John Brown and his men took refuge in a building that housed the armory’s fire engines.

On October 18, 1859, U.S. Marines under the leadership of Colonel Robert E. Lee stormed the engine house where the raiders were hiding and took them into custody.

West Virginia State Archives

Brown being carried from court to prison.

Last Moments of John Brown

(painting by Thomas Hovenden)

Do you think the artist was from the

North or the South?

Why?

John Brown painting at Harper's Ferry

"Now, if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life

for the furtherance of the ends of justice, and mingle my

blood further with the blood of millions in this slave country

whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and unjust

enactments, I say, let it be done."

 --John Brown, statement at his sentencing on Nov. 2, 1859

The hanging of John Brown.

"[John Brown is] that new saint, than whom none purer or more brave was ever led by love of men into conflict and death,--the new saint awaiting his martyrdom, and who, if he shall suffer, will make the gallows glorious like the cross."--Ralph Waldo Emerson, from his lecture "Courage," delivered in Boston on Nov. 8, 1859

HERO or

VILLAIN