Lee Colonel Robert E Lee's Report: Harper's Ferry

[gem]

Colonel Robert E Lee's Report: Harper's Ferry

Here is then Colonel Robert E. Lee's report regarding the raid on Harper's Ferry which took place Oct 16 1859. Lee lead the federal forces which were called upon to rescue Harper's Ferry.

Col. Robert E. Lee's Report Concerning the Attack at Harper's Ferry

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[gem]

taken from the report:

"From the information derived from the papers found upon the persons and among the baggage of the insurgents, and the statement of those now in custody, it appears that the party consisted of nineteen men-fourteen white and five black. That they were headed by John Brown, of some notoriety in Kansas, who in June last located himself in Maryland, at the Kennedy farm, where he has been engaged in preparing to capture the United States works at Harper's Ferry. He avows that his object was the liberation of the slaves of Virginia, and of the whole South; and acknowledges that he has been disappointed in his expectations of aid from the black as well as white population, both in the Southern and Northern States. The blacks, whom he forced from their homes in this neighborhood, as far as I could learn, gave him no voluntary assistance. The servants of Messrs. Washington and Allstadt, retained at the armory, took no part in the conflict, and those carried to Maryland returned to their homes as soon as released. The result proves that the plan was the attempt of a fanatic or madman, who could only end in failure; and its temporary success, was owing to the panic and confusion he succeeded in creating by magnifying his numbers."

 

[gem]

also here is Lee's demand that Brown's forces surrender:

Lee's Demand that Brown's Forces Surrender (Oct. 18, 1959)

Headquarters Harper's Ferry

October 18, 1859.

Colonel Lee, United States army, commanding the troops sent by the President of the United States to suppress the insurrection at this place, demands the surrender of the persons in the armory buildings. If they will peaceably surrender themselves and restore the pillaged property, they shall be kept in safety to await the orders of the President. Colonel Lee represents to them, in all frankness, that it is impossible for them to escape; that the armory is surrounded on all sides by troops; and that if he is compelled to take them by force he cannot answer for their safety.

R.E. Lee

Colonel Commanding United States Troops

 

[matthew mckeon]

Colonel Lee was a cool customer in a crisis.

J.E.B." Stewart" indeed!

 

[thomas aagaard]

interesting read. thanks for the link.