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First report on John Brown's raid upon Harper's Ferry...



Item # 689591

October 18, 1859

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 18, 1859 

* John Brown's insurrection - invasion - raid
* Harpers Ferry WV West Virginia - 1st report


Page 3 has the first report of the raid upon Harper's Ferry by John Brown and his cohorts, headed: "Serious Disturbances At Harper's Ferry".
It reads like a first report. It begins: "Information of a somewhat startling character having been received...of serious disturbances at the Harper's Ferry Armory, the War and Navy Departments have promptly dispatched a military force to the scene of the strife..." with further detail. It was not even known at the time who led the attack.
Obviously much more would be known within a few days.
The raid happened October 16-18, being an effort by abolitionist John Brown to initiate a slave revolt in Southern states by taking over the U.S. arsenal at Harper's Ferry. It has been called the dress rehearsal for, or Tragic Prelude to the Civil War.
Great to have this report in a newspaper so close to the event (65 miles away) and from the nation's capital.
Four pages, close-trimmed at the bottom margin affects text on pages 2 & 4, not remotely close to the mentioned content, otherwise nice condition.

Category: Pre-Civil War