John Brown was an abolitionist, and being such he decided to take matters into his own hands. His actions were disapproved of by other abolitionist's and the pro-slavery southerner's. He had abandoned diplomacy and attacked a couple of plantations in Kansas, killing five. This attack is what made him known throughout the United States. When he attacked Harper's Ferry in 1859, he took over several buildings, including the armory. His goal was to use the weapons to start a slave uprising in Virginia.
John Brown failed to succeed in securing the weapons because he and his men shot Heyward Shepherd. The sound aroused John Starry, a doctor, who came to the scene. He told them he was a doctor, but that he couldn't help Heyward Shepherd. John Brown and his men allowed John Starry to go home, but John Starry, sensing what was happening, instead went to the stable, got on a horse, and round through the nearby towns spreading the word that Harper's Ferry was under attack.
A local militia rose up and John Starry helped direct them. The United States Secretary of War asked for the help of the Navy Department by lending him some troops. They agreed and gave him sixty-four marines led by General Robert E. Lee, the same General who would lead the Confederates during the Civil War. Robert E. Lee was on leave nearby and was asked to help with the help of the uprising. He led the sixty-four marines and directed them as they stormed the armory.
When General Robert E. Lee directed his soldiers to storm the armory, they went in and captured all of the men killing a few in the process. The marines also suffered several wounded soldiers but all recovered with no ill effects.
