John Brown’s Raid begins: At Harpers Ferry, Virginia, John Brown, commanding his abolitionist militia, captures the federal arsenal in hopes of recovering enough guns to begin a massive slave revolt across Virginia.  Brown’s attention is to obtain weapons for the use of guerilla raids into the slave plantations at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains to encourage slaves to emancipate themselves and join an ever-growing army.  The raid fails, and Brown’s band takes hostages inside the arsenal.

       Postscript: The next day Colonel Robert E. Lee, of the Army of the united States, commanding a company of Marines of the Navy of the united States, successfully put down the insurrection, freeing all hostages and killing ten of Brown’s abolitionist militia.  

       NOTE: John Brown’s failed raid prompted the States to revive their Militia’s, which have fallen into disarray due to Congress’ abrogation of its Article I, Section 8 [Clause 16] responsibility “To provide for the organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia … .”

      [updated 3/5/2022]