John Brown letter (RLC.Ms.550)

Biographical note

John Brown (1800-1959), born on May 9, 1800, in Torrington, Connecticut, was a militant abolitionist. On October 16, 1859, Brown led twenty-one men on a raid of the federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia (now in West Virginia), with the intent to arm slaves with the seized weapons. However, Brown’s plans were thwarted by local farmers, militia, and marines led by Robert E. Lee and within thirty-six hours of his attack, most of his men were either killed or captured. Brown was captured and moved to Charlestown, Virginia (now in West Virginia), where he was tried and convicted of treason. John Brown was hanged on December 2, 1859.