Information Panel: The War That Ended Slavery

Information Panel: The War That Ended Slavery

Photo: NPS / Claire Hassler

Quick Facts

Amenities

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

"I want to free all the negroes in this [slave] state... if the citizens interfere with me I must only burn the town and have blood," declared John Brown at the start of the October 16-18, 1859 raid. Brown and his 18 men captured and held the armory for 36 hours. As the tide turned against the raiders trapped in the fire engine house in front of you, their leader John Brown ordered "take aim, and make every shot count." U.S. Marines battered through the room wounded and captured Brown, and ended the raid. Brown was hanged for murder, treason, and inciting a slave insurrection. Just a few years later, United States Colored Troops marched through Harpers Ferry to fight for the Union and freedom. 

Inside

Oliver Brown 1819-1859
John Brown 1800-1859 (At the time of the raid, John Brown had no beard.)

Outside

Outside the fire engine house, U.S. Marines, commanded by Robert E. Lee, ended the raid on October 18, 1859. Sixteen people died in the raid.