Studies in American History 
241 
and then in turn the policeman on duty at the arsenal, the 
armory, and the engine-house near Harper’s Ferry on the 
Virginia side were quietly seized and made prisoners. It was 
now midnight and Brown and his men were masters of 
Harper’s Ferry. Six of them were sent out to bring in as 
prisoners two prominent planters living near with as many 
slaves as they could find, also teams, wagons, and other 
property of slaveholders. One of the men so captured was 
Colonel Lewis Washington, a relative of the first president. 
All of this was done so quietly that no alarm had been given 
to the town.20 
At 1 :30 a.m., the Baltimore and Ohio train from the west 
came in. When the trainmen stepped upon the platform they 
were immediately arrested, and the train was held until almost 
daylight when it was allowed to proceed. In the meantime 
the station porter, a free negro, faithful and trustworthy, 
coming out on the bridge to look for the watchman was 
ordered to halt. He refused to do so and was instantly shot 
and mortally wounded by Brown’s guard on the bridge. Their 
move for the liberation of slaves was begun by killing a harm- 
less negro.^^ 
When the northbound train was allowed to go forward, 
news of the affair was telegraphed from the first station be- 
yond Harper’s Ferry to Baltimore and elsewhere. When the 
people of Harper’s Ferry awoke on the morning of Monday, 
October 17, it was to find their town in possession of an armed 
hostile force. Numerous citizens were seized and held as 
prisoners along with the captured planters as Brown’s 
“hostages”. Such arms as could be found in the town were 
brought out, an alarm was sounded, military companies began 
to come in, and fighting took place. Men fell on both sides. 
Finally a company crossed over to the Maryland side of the 
river and approached the bridge, which was soon taken. This 
cut off Brown’s only chance to retreat. In a short time all 
of those not under his immediate command were killed, cap- 
tured, or dispersed.^2 
With his remaining followers and eleven of his most promi- 
nent prisoners, he went into the engine-house in the armory 
yard. This was a strong brick building without windows 
Mason’s Report, 29-40 ; Villard, op. cit., 431-433. 
Sanborn, op. cit., 555 ; Villard, op. cit., 432-434 ; Mason’s Report. 
22 Alex. R. Boteler (an eye-witness), “Recollections of the John Brown Raid’’, in 
Century Motgazine, XXVI, 404 ff. (July, 1883) ; Villard, op. cit., 438 ff. 
