Page:The History of Slavery and the Slave Trade.djvu/875

 country, if they would accede to his terms. These were, that he would march across the bridge to the Maryland shore with his men and his prisoners an hostages, and when fairly over he would release them, and give his enemies a chance to capture him if they could. But uo terms could be made with the insurgents, and in their situation. On Tuesday morning Lieutenant Lee, with a company of United States marines, had arrived. He used his best efforts to persuade Brown and his men to surrender, promising that they should be protected from the fury of their assailants. His men were desirous of making terms, but Brown refused, considering himself in a position to dictate terms. There appeared to be no course left but to storm the Armory, and this was determined upon early on Tuesday morning.

A large military force had by this time collected. During the previous day a constant scene of skirmishing had been kept up between the [sic]belligerants, but no regular attempt had been made to storm the citadel of the insurgents. The danger of injury to Col. Washington and the other prisoners, prevented the attack upon them with cannon. But the time had arrived when decisive measures must be taken. The scene was exciting in the extreme. The most breathless suspense existed for the half hour which preceded the attack. Death was anticipated, and the reckless daring of the handfull of bold and foolish fanatics, who thus set at defiance the authority of both the State and General Government, created an intense indignation, and a desire for their summary chastisement. The apprehensions for the safety of the gentlemen detained in the custody of the insurgents were also painful.

About eight o'clock, Major Russel ordered Lieutenant Green, with a file of United States marines, to force the large double doors of the engine house, where Brown and his few remaining men had taken shelter. They rushed toward them, and attempted with their bayonets to force them open, but the strength of their fastenings defied the effort. At this time a volley from within increased the excitement of the spectators. The marines then tried to force the door with heavy sledge hammers, but they also proved ineffectual. A double file of marines were then ordered to attack the door with a heavy ladder. A few powerful efforts shattered the door of this outhouse of the government, which was filled with fire engines, and as they yielded to the force of this battering ram, and flew in pieces, an extra shout went up from the multitude. The moment the upper part of the door went down, Lieutenant Green and his marines fired a volley into the insurgents with deadly aim. Major Russel then sprang upon the ladder and preceded them. The conflict was terminated in a few minutes. One of the marines, private Quinn, was borne off, fatally wounded, and another private, Rupert, received a slight wound in the face.

The imprisoned citizens then rushed out; two white insurgents were brought out as prisoners. One, named Watson Brown, son of the leader, who was in a very helpless condition from wounds received on Monday, and another named Edwin Coppic, of Iowa, who was injured. A free negro from Harrisburgh