THE FORGOTTEN MARINES

Oddly enough, the United States Marines' role during the capture of John Brown at Harper's Ferry in October 1859 has been wholly overlooked and virtually forgotten – even by the Marines themselves.  

Typically, within a short line or two, most modern history books exultantly refer only to Colonel Robert E. Lee, "commanding Marine," aided 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 interservice rivalry of the day and the Military Act of 1834 would not have allowed an Army officer to command any personnel from the Marine branch of service except at the president's specific, written direction.  Lee was tasked by the Secretary of War to be the overall commander of Army forces, comprised of Militia units from Virginia and Maryland.  The Marines sent to Harper's Ferry were "Regulars" and commanded by their Officer-in-Charge, First Lieutenant Israel Greene, USM.

So... why were the Marines sent?  Who were they?  How were they organized?  How did they prepare for the journey to Harper's Ferry?  (Harpers Ferry is our modern spelling of the town's name.  What happened to the apostrophe in "Harper's" after our Civil War is a mystery.)
 

 What credibly took place after the Marines arrived?  What kind of a wooden ladder could do what three heavy sledgehammers could not?  How and why did the sword used to strike down John Brown bend?  As one studies the Marines' involvement in this bygone confrontation, more and more questions present themselves and demand an  explanation.

Now, one hundred and sixty-plus years after the event, this historical novel offers an in-depth look at the actions of those heroic, but forgotten, Marines.  Although fictional dialogue has been incorporated to give "life" to the story, historical accuracy has been preserved as correctly as possible.