Hey everyone, thanks for downloading episode 20 of our Civil War podcast. I'm Rich.

I'm Tracy. Hello, y'all. Welcome to the podcast. On December 2nd, 1859, the day of his execution,

as John Brown was being led from his jail cell in Charlestown, Virginia, he was asked if he

wanted to be a company to the gallows by a clergyman. Brown, who had little respect for

Southern clergy, scoffed and refused the offer. He said he would rather be joined by barefooted,

bare-legged, ragged, slave children. Brown declared he would feel much prouder of such an escort,

and I wish I could have it. Brown's jailers wrapped a rope around him, restraining his arms just

above the elbows and escorted him outside. There in an open wagon was a black walnut coffin enclosed

in a popper box. Calm and determined, Brown sat on his casket as the wagon, drawn by two horses,

made its way slowly east down George Street, which was lined with ranks of silent militia.

Even though it was early December, it was a fine day. One reporter wrote that it was a sunny spring

like day with a warm and dreamy haze. The site chosen for Brown's execution was a bare 40-acre field

at the edge of Charlestown. The field usually planted with ryan corn, now resembled a military

parade ground. About 1,500 militia, cadets and cavalry were drawn up around the gallows or were

patrolling the perimeter of the field. For good measure, there were even a few cannon guarding the

scaffold. As the wagon bearing the prisoner drew up to the gallows, observers saw that Brown was

wearing a broad brimmed black slouch hat, and he was dressed in the same rumpled dark suit that he'd

worn in court. On his feet were white socks and a pair of blood-red carpet slippers that he'd

worn in prison. As Brown was helped down from the bed of the wagon, he saw the town's mayor and

the prosecutor standing nearby. Gentlemen, goodbye, he said to them, and then he ascended the scaffold.

Once on the platform, Brown helpedfully position himself beneath the hanging rope. On the platform

with him were the sheriff and jailer. Brown raised his opinion arms to shake their hands,

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