He could be a right bastard if you stood in his way. Taller than most, but it wasn’t his height, nor his gray beard, nor even his stiff and lordly manner. No, it was them eyes. Never was there eyes like that in a mortal man. What color, you ask? Why, perhaps gray or blue. But the color had nothing to do with what I mean. No, it was the heat from them eyes, white as a forge-fire, quick as lightning. Yes, he carried him a saber and brace of pistols, but it was the eyes was his real weapon.
In the words of Frederick Douglass, John Brown was “built for times of trouble and fitted to grapple with the flintiest hardships.” Brown felt a profound and lifelong empathy with the plight of slaves, his views differing gravely from every other white man of his time. Blacks were among his closest friends, and in some respects he felt more comfortable around them than he did around whites.
In October of 1859, Brown led a troop of armed former slaves, free blacks, and white abolitionists on a raid of the Harper’s Ferry arsenal. Though they successfully took and briefly held the fort, Brown was captured. He was convicted of treason and hanged, but the raid inflamed white Southern fears of slave rebellions ushered in the American Civil War
Dear Josh,
Oh them eyes. You certainly put a face (and eyes) to a horrid chapter of American history. Well done as always.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks, Rochelle. The stain of slavery still covers this country, and it sometimes looks like we never really finished the Civil War. Make me wish we had never declared independence from Britain. Canada and Australia managed to become independent without a Shiloh or Gettysburg.
The voice in this was just perfect! Well done.
I wouldn’t to stare into them ‘ole eyes, that’s f’sure. Excellent.
Click to read my FriFic tale!
Brought the historical figure to life. Excellent.
Great voice
The voice really made this. Great job.
It’s already been said, but great voice in this piece.
Thanks!
Outstanding description of this iconic figure. Some have said slaves would never have been freed without the way he went about his vision. I don’t know. There were others who were less violent who also led in the abolitionist movement. But certainly he was a man willing to risk his life for his beliefs.
I enjoyed George MacDonald Fraser’s take on him in his Flashman book. I would have to say it influenced me somewhat. Thanks for reading!
Not familiar. So many books, so little time.
Fantastic voice and terrific description.
Love the description… and a piece of American History I’ve never really read… (but I do remember that song John Brown’s body)
Loved your story.
This character study gave a really cool “tale tale” feel to a fascinating historical figure. I was ready to pull up a spot next to the campfire to hear more.
What a man, John Brown. A man with courage of conviction and strong determination. It is not easy to stand against the flow. People like Mr. John Brown makes one proud of human race. Thank you for sharing a snippet about John Brown.
In that picture, he does have the look of a hawk, eying his prey. Good interpretation of the charisma this man must have possessed to follow his conviction and inspire 21 men to follow him.
Brilliantly done, Josh.
Splendid story, Josh, with a powerful subject. Loved it.
What Sandra said. Well done, Josh
Excellent use of descriptive text. I felt as if i had looked into those eyes. Thank you.Oh, and for the back story as well..
Great writing, it was good to be reminded about this event in history. There are so many interesting figures in history
Wonderful depiction and, as has already been said, great voice.
A nice tribute to an amazing man.