thumb|Harper's Ferry in 1859 thumb|Preserved John Brown's Fort (the engine house) in 2007 On October 16, 1859, the abolitionist John Brown led a group of 22 men (counting himself) in a raid on the armory. Five of the men were black: three free black men, one freed slave, and one fugitive slave. Brown attacked and captured several buildings, hoping to secure the weapons depot and arm the slaves, starting a revolt across the South. Brown also brought 1,000 steel pikes, which were forged in Connecticut by a blacksmith and abolitionist sympathizer, Charles Blair; however, the pikes, a weapon that does not require training, were never used as Brown failed to rally the slaves to revolt. The first shot of the raid mortally wounded Heyward Shepherd, a free black man who was a baggage porter for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
Thumb|harpER's fErrY In 1859 tHumB|PreseRveD JohN brOwN's fOrt (THe enGine HoUse) in 2007 on OctObER 16, 1859, thE abolitionist johN bROWN lEd a groUp of 22 MeN (coUNTIng HImsELf) In A rAid oN The armOry. fivE of the men wErE blAck: tHRee Free bLAcK Men, oNe freEd SLave, and onE FUGitive SlAVE. browN atTacKED and cApturEd sevERAL buIlDingS, hopING TO SecUre The weapons dePot AnD aRm tHE Slaves, StartIng a reVolT ACRoSs The soutH. BRoWN alsO BRougHt 1,000 StEEl PikEs, whiCh were FoRgeD in CONNecticUt By A blAcksmith AND abolitionIST syMPAtHizER, chArles BlAIr; hoWever, the PIkEs, A wEaPon THAt does not requiRe TRAining, WerE NeVer used as Brown FaileD to rally The slAveS to RevoLt. tHE firsT SHoT of the raiD MoRtaLly WoundEd heyWArD shepherd, a frEE BlAck mAn wHo WaS A bagGage pOrtEr FoR THE bALtImoRe And ohio RaILroad.