Raynor HCA 2014-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/30/2014
BARBOUR, Alfred Madison (1829-1866) was a prominent American lawyer, delegate to the 1861 Virginia secession convention, and a major in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. Barbour is best known for his role as Superintendent of the Harpers Ferry Armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia) during John Brown's raid. Autograph Letter Signed, “Alfred M. Barbour,” to his brother, October 24, 1859, Harpers Ferry, Va, 3pp., VG. In small part, “In regard to the late tragedy, nobody could have anticipated it. There was not a single party here in it. It was conceived and matured in the North. We have mountains here in which ten thousand men might conceal themselves & nobody suspect. ... Great blame has been cast upon our citizens and armorers. It is unjust. Nobody could have contemplated such a thing, and unarmed could not fight armed men with Sharps Rifles able to shoot 1,000 yds. ... The armorers as soon as they were armed they fought gallantly. The men of the armory killed every man who was killed. They ran the rest into the Engine House & would have blown them up in ten minutes, but for their hostages. The insurgents were a desperate set thoroughly drilled in Kansas & would have taken Richmond City. It is highly credible to this community that they could get no recruits of any color. ... My old friend Beekham foolishly lost his life. It is said he lost his senses first. He was demented by the tragedy. He walked right out where they were firing and a ball struck him killing him dead in an instant. The insurgents expressed great regret at having shot him. ...”
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