Virginia v. Brown was a criminal trial held in October of 1859. John Brown wanted to stop slavery. He was prosecuted for treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia. Further charges included conspiring with Negroes to produce insurrection and murder. The prosecution was quick. He was found guilty of all charges and sentenced to death. He was executed by hanging. John Brown began the civil war that ended American slavery. He’s an eternal hero.

On October 16, 1859, Brown led 22 armed men (5 black and 17 white) to Harpers Ferry, Virginia. The place was an important railroad and river junction. The goal was to seize the federal arsenal. From there, Brown would lead a slave insurrection across the South. The armed contingent engaged in a two-day battle with militia and federal troops. Ten of Brown’s men were shot or killed. Five of them were captured, and five escaped. Brown’s three sons participated in the conflict. Oliver and Watson were killed during the fight. Owen escaped and later fought in the Union Army.

John Brown was an American abolitionist. He felt that action was necessary to end slavery. Years of talks had failed. Brown gave his life for what he believed, the end of American slavery. He saw his contemporary abolitionists as men of conversation and discussion. Brown felt the need for action. He prophesied to the slave owners, “You may dispose of me very easily. I am nearly disposed of now. But this question is still to be settled, the Negro question. I mean; the end of that is not yet.” The South Carolina militia bombarded Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861.