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John Brown's Bowie Knife
Bowie Knife, 1850s

Taken from John Brown by Jeb Stuart at Harpers Ferry in 1859

Lee offered John Brown an opportunity for "peaceable surrender" by drafting a note that was delivered by Lieutenant J. E. B. Stuart. The negotiation was brief and fruitless. Lee then ordered twelve marines to rush the engine house with bayonets. Brown was beaten into unconsciousness, two insurgents were killed, and two others were captured. No hostages were injured. Stuart took as a trophy John Brown's bowie knife.

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