492 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF 



North, and expecting the more patriotic to join him in his retreat to the mountain 

 strongholds of the Blue Ridge, from whence he intended to carry on uncompromising 

 war until he could dictate terms of peace to the terrified masters. 



The story of this raid, resulting in his capture, trial and hurried execution, all 

 know. It would make a book of itself, and its detailed recital is quite too lengthy for 

 this occasion ; but it may be appropriate and interesting at this time to give the roster 

 of the army as listed by himself, October lO, 1859, with which he struck the blow that 

 shocked the whole nation and echoed round the world : 



John Brown, commander-in-chief; John H. Kagi, adjutant and second in command ; 

 five captains; seven lieutenants ; nine privates ; total, twenty-three. 



They had never been mustered altogether. The extra officers were to command 

 companies that he expected to recruit on the Virginia side. Three privates and one 

 lieutenant failed to cross the river, leaving but nineteen in his Grand Army of 

 Invasion, five of whom were colored men. Six of the force were of his own family by 

 birth or marriage ; and five of those died in Virginia. Owen Brown, who had not 

 crossed with his father, was the only one of the family to escape. Of the nineteen 

 who crossed the Potomac with him, October 16, ten were killed or died of their 

 wounds and seven were hanged ; two made their escape. 



I have neither time nor disposition to recount the details of this, his last battle, nor 

 to describe the scene of his heroic death on the scaffold, surrounded by numerous 

 batteries of artillery, thousands of armed men, and hundreds of high public officials, 

 all of whom fairly trembled from the terror which his presence inspired. Able writers 

 and famous orators and poets have given it eternal renown, and I will draw the curtain 

 on this final act in his tragic career by simply quoting his last-written message, indited 

 upon the morning of his execution. It reads as follows : 



Charlestown, December 2A, 1859. 

 " I, John Brown, am now certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be 

 purged away but with blood " — a prophecy all too soon fulfilled ; and 



" Bloodily closed what bloodily began. 

 With slaughter of this far-foreseeing man. 

 Whose spirit from the scaffold where he died 

 Armies and Senates could inspire and guide." 



Speaking of his mission a little previously, he had used these words : " I expect 

 nothing but to endure hardship, but I expect to win a great victory, even though it 

 be like the last victory of Sampson." 



How apt the figure, and how quickly and literally were his expectations realized ! 

 Like blind old Sampson, he had shaken the very foundations of that temple of sin 

 which to him had so long been a hateful abomination, and with the sacrifice of his 

 own life had ensured its overthrow and destruction. 



