John Brown led the Harpers Ferry Rebellion. At the time Harpers Ferry was in Virginia but today it is considered West Virginia. Brown led 22 men (5 of which were black) to a federal armory and began to raid it. They took several hostages when they raided the armory but the word spread quickly and by day break they were surrounded by a company of marines. Just 3 short days later on October 19, 1859 the marines defeated Brown and his men. The marines led by Colonel Robert E. Lee and Lieutenant J. E. B. Stuart killed 10 of his men. Brown was wounded and stayed in Virginia where he was tried and convicted of treason and murder. He was sent to the gallows to be hung on December 2, 1859.