About That John Brown-- Part 5: Well, What Was He?

He was found guilty and condemned to death which is exactly what he wanted.  He became a martyr to the North and, of course, was the very essence of the devil to Southerners.  They now knew that many Northerners wanted to see them murdered by their slaves.  They could not live in a country that felt that way about them.

His execution was attended by Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, J.E.B. Stuart and one John Wilkes Booth.

Voting in Congress now became very sectional  Brown helped disrupt the existing party system.  Had it not been for him, Lincoln likely would not have been elected president in 1860. That was the final straw that forced the South out of the United States.

A song that became popular during this time "John Brown's Body Lies A-Mouldering in the Grave" eventually got new words and became "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" at the hands of Julia Ward Howe, whose husband was one of John Brown's Secret Six.

At then end of the presentation, Bob Pressman had everyone weigh in on the question: "Was John Brown a Hero, Terrorist, Martyr or Mad Man?"

The majority of those assembled chose all of the above.

I, of course, could in no way call him a hero, though II know that he was a hero to some if not many.

--Old Secesh

About That John Brown- Part 4: The Attack and Capture

John Brown developed a group of close associates referred to as The Secret Six.  He was definitely a religious fanatic by now.  The year 1859 saw John Brown heading for Harpers Ferry.  On July 3, 1859, he rented a farm across the river from Harpers Ferry.

Then came his attack on the armory at Harpers Ferry on October 16, 1859.  One of the first things he did was have Lewis Washington, a relative of George Washington, arrested.

At this time Brown became a national phenomenon.  Everyone in the South  was against him obviously.  People in the North at first were against him as well, but many soon considered him a hero.  The South became hysterical.

Even so, John Brown's group only numbered 18 men.

After his capture, three charges were brought against him at his trial:  1.  Treason, 2.  Murder,  3.  Inciting a slave rebellion.

For the newspapers it was the Trial of the Century.  To say the least, it captured the nation's attention.

--Old Secesh

Mystery of Who is in Grave No. 4824 Solved: It Is Sgt. Ivy Ritchie of the 14th N.C.

Let's just say the South finally won one. 

The Feb. 14th Petersburg Progress-Index reported on the outcome of a mock-trial held at the historic Dinwiddie Court House. 

For the last several years there has been controversy as to whether the occupant of Grave # 4824 was Union Sgt. J. Richie of Co. H, 14th NY, US, or Sgt. Ivy Ritchie of Co. H, 14th NC, CS.

The Ivy Ritchie Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp in North Carolina, claimed that he was incorrectly buried among the 4,110 boys in blue at the Poplar Grove National Cemetery because of a clerical error. They wanted his body moved out of there but that was refused. Instead, a marker will be placed at the grave indication who he actually was.

The SCV camp, the largest in NC, produced records showing Ivy Ritchie actually existed and that he fought at Appomattox Courthouse where the body was found, and that he was the last soldier in the Army of Northern Virginia to lose his life. 

His brother Marvel Ritchie identified his older brother's body. However, in Marvel's writing, the "I"s and "J"s look alike. Also, there wasn't even a Co. H in the 14th NY. Both sides pleaded their cases before a panel of three judges who ruled with the SCV. 

But Now, He Still Has to Be With the Yankees. You'd Figure 143 years Was Enough. --The Old Blockade-Runner