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American Martyr, American Terrorist

On Oct. 16, 1859, radical abolitionist John Brown led a group of fighters in storming the town of Harpers Ferry, W.Va., and the federal armory there. A century and a half later, Sept. 11 has altered the context in which his actions are viewed, and more scholars debate whether a cause now viewed as righteous justified Brown's tactics.

Downtown Harpers Ferry was the scene of one of the most significant events preceding the Civil War, an attempt by abolitionist John Brown and 19 followers to seize 100,000 guns from the town's armory, which they hoped to use to spark an anti-slavery insurrection.

Downtown Harpers Ferry was the scene of one of the most significant events preceding the Civil War, an attempt by abolitionist John Brown and 19 followers to seize 100,000 guns from the town's armory, which they hoped to use to spark an anti-slavery insurrection.

Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post

A tableau at the John Brown Wax Museum in Harpers Ferry depicts the planning of Brown's raid, which took place at nearby Kennedy Farm. Wealthy abolitionists in the north viewed Brown as a holy fighter and funded his effort; to Southerners, he was akin to Osama bin Laden. Ten of Brown's 19 men were killed in the attack and subsequent standoff, and Brown was hanged two months later.

A tableau at the John Brown Wax Museum in Harpers Ferry depicts the planning of Brown's raid, which took place at nearby Kennedy Farm. Wealthy abolitionists in the north viewed Brown as a holy fighter and funded his effort; to Southerners, he was akin to Osama bin Laden. Ten of Brown's 19 men were killed in the attack and subsequent standoff, and Brown was hanged two months later.

Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post

Marsha B. Wassel, park ranger and public information officer of the National Park Service in Harpers Ferry, gives a brief history of John Brown's raid while standing in front of a mural of the town as it appeared in 1859. A four-day symposium on the events begins there today.

Marsha B. Wassel, park ranger and public information officer of the National Park Service in Harpers Ferry, gives a brief history of John Brown's raid while standing in front of a mural of the town as it appeared in 1859. A four-day symposium on the events begins there today.

Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post

Hanging on display at the John Brown Museum is a print of John Stuart Curry's "The Tragic Prelude," showing Brown, a bible in one hand and a rifle in the other, during the raid. Such heroic depictions were common in the anti-slavery north, where "John Brown's Body" became a common Union marching song.

Hanging on display at the John Brown Museum is a print of John Stuart Curry's "The Tragic Prelude," showing Brown, a bible in one hand and a rifle in the other, during the raid. Such heroic depictions were common in the anti-slavery north, where "John Brown's Body" became a common Union marching song.

Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post

John Brown's gang holed up for 36 hours in the Harpers Ferry Engine House, holding hostages before the building was stormed by local militia. Ten of the raiders and four civilians were killed.

John Brown's gang holed up for 36 hours in the Harpers Ferry Engine House, holding hostages before the building was stormed by local militia. Ten of the raiders and four civilians were killed.

Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post

In an earlier attack in Pottawatomie, Kan., Brown and his fighters hacked apart six pro-slavery men. "Most of the abolitionist movement believed in non-violence," says Columbia University historian Eric Foner. "Brown believed that the only way to overthrow slavery was by violence."

In an earlier attack in Pottawatomie, Kan., Brown and his fighters hacked apart six pro-slavery men. "Most of the abolitionist movement believed in non-violence," says Columbia University historian Eric Foner. "Brown believed that the only way to overthrow slavery was by violence."

Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post

In John Brown's day, Harpers Ferry, situated at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, was a center of trade. As rivers grew less important for moving goods, the town slowly shifted into a tourist desitination.

In John Brown's day, Harpers Ferry, situated at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, was a center of trade. As rivers grew less important for moving goods, the town slowly shifted into a tourist desitination.

Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post

A store displays clothing that would have been worn at the time of John Brown's raid.

A store displays clothing that would have been worn at the time of John Brown's raid.

Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post

Gallery Credits:
Producer, Photo Editor Stephen Cook

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This Story From Civil War to Civil Rights Article \| He had a safe house, weapons and a mole planted among unsuspecting residents. Harpers Ferry Marks a Milestone Details: Harpers Ferry, W.Va. American Martyr, American Terrorist Harpers Ferry Marks 150th Anniversary of John Brown's Raid		TOOLBOX E-Mail This Save/Share + Digg Facebook Reddit Twitter myspace del.icio.us NewsTrust Stumble It! COMMENT 0 Comments Your browser's settings may be preventing you from commenting on and viewing comments about this item. See instructions for fixing the problem. Discussion Policy CLOSE Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post. Who's Blogging » Links to this gallery		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
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