The Raid of John Brown at Harper's Ferry as I Saw It

"The Raid of John Brown at Harper's Ferry as I Saw It" by Samuel V. Leech is an early 20th-century historical record covering John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, a key event before the Civil War intended to spark a revolt by enslaved people. Leech, a person who lived during the time of these events, gives a close-up view of the raid, sharing his own thoughts and feelings about Brown's reasons and the results of his actions. Leech tells the story of Brown's carefully planned attack, from gathering his followers to seizing the Armory and Arsenal. The book describes how the raid started off well but quickly turned into chaos as local forces fought back, leading to Brown's capture. It presents Brown as a complicated person, deeply opposed to slavery but wrong in his decision to use violence. Leech's firsthand account puts readers in the middle of the period's unrest, offering a clear understanding of Brown's motives, the actions of those involved, and the overall mood of Harper's Ferry during this critical moment in American history.