Brown, John

1. An abolitionist of the nineteenth century who sought to free the slaves by military force. After leading several attacks in Kansas , he planned to start an uprising among the slaves. In 1859, he and a small band of followers took over a federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry , in Virginia . A detachment of marines reclaimed the arsenal and captured Brown, who was tried for treason, convicted, and hanged.

Notes

Robert E. Lee , soon to be commanding general of the main Confederate army, led the marines who captured Brown.

In death, Brown became a martyr for abolitionists. “ John Brown's Body ,” a popular song in the North during the Civil War , had this refrain: “John Brown's body lies a-mold'ring in the grave; His soul goes marching on.”