Harpers Ferry — John Brown's Raid
Harpers Ferry, Jefferson County, West Virginia
Marker Inscription
Here in October 1859 abolitionist John Brown seized the U.S. Armory, hoping to spark a slave uprising. His capture and execution helped ignite the Civil War.
Erected by National Park Service
The Story
Brown and 21 men captured the federal arsenal at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah. Cornered by U.S. Marines under Robert E. Lee, Brown was captured, tried, and hanged — becoming a martyr to abolitionists and a warning to the South.
Why it matters
The raid pushed a divided nation to the brink, hardening both sides on the eve of the Civil War.
Related people
- · John Brown
Related events
- · John Brown's Raid
Themes & tags
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