| In 1856, President Pierce recognized
pro-slavery legislature in Kansas. Abolitionist Missouri settlers move to
Kansas in droves sparking anti slavery guerrilla actions. (Bloody Kansas)
John Brown participates in the massacre of pro-slavery residents. October 17, 1859, with America on the brink of civil war over the primary
issue of States Rights, Secretary of the Army detaches Col. Robert E. Lee
(U.S. Army), with Lt. J.E.B. Staurt to put down an abolitionist uprising
at Harpers Ferry, Virginia led the fanatic John Brown in an attempt to start
a slave rebellion. Brown and his followers had captured the arsenal and armory, then
barricaded themselves in a brick firehouse along with 13 hostages. One of
the hostages was the grand nephew of George Washington. They had successfully
withstood repeated assaults of the town militia and had killed several residents
including the Mayor. The Marines (85), commanded by Lt. Israel Greene, were tasked to quell the rebellion under the Command of Lee.
Originally, Lee asked the town militia if they wanted to assault the
position held by Brown and several of his followers. The militia refused,
and Lee detailed the Marines to reduce Brown and his men. Concerned with
safety of the hostages, Lee ordered that the assault would be bayonet work
only. The Marines tried to batter the doors with sledge hammers, to no
avail. Shortly there after Lt. Greene spotted a ladder and ordered that it
be used as a battering ram on the engine house doors. The doors gave way
under the pounding and Greene led the assault into the brick building. Two Marines were shot following Greene who was the first to enter
the building. Subsequently, one, Private Luke Quinn died from a gunshot wound
to the abdomen. Greene attacked Brown with his saber, however, in his rush to answer
the call to arms, he had belted his dress sword as opposed to his service
weapon. Upon striking Brown, the sword bent and while Brown was down he had
not been killed. In the three minute action, the Marines had killed 4 of the insurgents
with bayonets and captured 2 others at a loss of one Marine. That one Leatherneck
definably the first causality of the Civil War. Several weeks later, Brown was tried and hung. But, not before his
bold statements inflamed supporters of the Abolitionist cause. Of historical interest: Lee, Stuart, and Greene all resigned their
Federal Commissions and reported to the Confederacy for duty at the onset
of hostilities. Greene with the Confederate States Marine Corps. |
