The Forgotten Marines, "The Capture of John Brown" Book

Oddly enough, the role of the United States Marines during the capture of John Brown at Harpers Ferry has been completely overlooked and essentially forgotten â?? even by the Marines themselves. Most modern history books, within a quick line or two, exultantly refer only to Colonel Robert E. Lee, commanding Marines, and assisted by First Lieutenant J.E.B. Stuart, as capturing John Brown. Is this an accurate depiction of the bona fide story? Not quite! Colonel Lee did not directly command the Marines as implied. The inter-service rivalry of the day, as well as the Act of 1834, Section 2, would not have allowed an Army officer to command any personnel from the Marine branch of service, except at the specific direction of the President. Lee was sent as the overall commander of military forces, comprised of Militia units from Virginia and Maryland. The Marines sent to Harpers Ferry were â??Regularsâ?? and commanded by their own Officer-in-Charge, First Lieutenant Israel Greene, USM. His name is often found in most historical writings without the final â??eâ??. Why were the Marines sent? Who were they? How were they organized? How did they prepare for the journey to Harpers Ferry? (Harpers Ferry is our modern spelling of the townâ??s name â?? no one seems to know what happened to the original apostrophe in â??Harperâ??sâ? after the Civil War) What actually took place after they arrived there? What kind of a wooden ladder could do what three heavy sledgehammers could not? How and why did the sword that struck down John Brown bend? As one looks into the Marinesâ?? involvement in this bygone confrontation, more and more questions seem to present themselves and demand explanation. Now, almost one hundred and fifty years after the event, this novel offers an in-depth look at the actions of those heroic, but forgotten Marines. Although fictional dialogue has been incorporated into the story, historical accuracy has been preserved as correctly as possible. Read More