Captain John Brown orders his men: “Men, take up arms! We’re marching on Harper’s Ferry!” He has received secret support from six influential New England figures, who financed the attempted enterprise. Thus begins an unsuccessful attempt to take control of the town and spark a slave revolt, which ends with ten attackers killed (including Brown’s two sons) and five wounded, with the remainder captured by federal marines commanded by Robert E. Lee. Captain John Brown is hanged on November 2, 1859, after a regular trial. The affair causes immense outcry and indignation in the North. The story takes on epic and legendary overtones and is sung in several versions of the song dedicated to him.
