Would you die for a cause? John Brown’s men did.

In 1859, 21 volunteers, including Brown’s sons and five Black men, gathered at a remote Maryland farm to launch a war against slavery. Their mission: liberate the enslaved through guerilla warfare.

Living in secrecy near Harpers Ferry, Brown’s daughter and daughter-in-law helped keep up appearances. On October 16, Brown gave the order: “Men, get on your arms. We shall proceed to the Ferry.”

They were ready to fight—and die—for freedom.