Section #1 - The Congressmen Who Built Then Broke The Union
Chapter 104: John Brown’s saga comes to an end.
At dawn, Lee storms the bunker, killing two raiders, losing one marine, freeing eleven hostages and capturing a wounded John Brown. He is taken to Richmond for interrogation, then tried, convicted and sentenced to hang. Of the 22 men who accompany him, only four escape.
Fate of John Brown’s Band
| Outcome | # | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Killed in Action | 6 | Newby (B), Kagi, Leeman, J Anderson, W. Thompson, D Thompson |
| Mortally wounded | 4 | Taylor, Leary. O Brown, W Brown |
| Hanged | 7 | J Brown, Cook, Copeland (B), E Coppoc, Green(B), Hazlett, Stevens |
| Escaped | 5 | P Anderson (B), O Brown, B Coppoc, Merriam, Tidd |
Brown’s execution takes place in Richmond on December 2 in the presence of 3,000 armed guard sent to prevent a rescue. His final words foretell an ominous future:
I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never
be purged away, but with Blood. I had…vainly flattered myself that without
very much bloodshed it might be done.
His body is sent to his North Elba home accompanied by his wife who avoids the execution.