Chapter 604: Abandoned Freedom

Chapter 597: Abandoned Freedom

At this time, John Brown and others in the armory had not yet realized the danger. (っ◔◡◔)っ

The continuous defeat of the Virginia militia boosted the confidence of John Brown and others, giving them the illusion that the Southern armed forces were vulnerable.

Robert Lee ordered two infantry companies to launch a feint attack, forcing the Gilead Confederate armed forces in the armory to fire back.

Robert Lee judged from the gunshots of the other side's return fire that the number of the Northern radical abolitionist armed group in the armory was at most one company.

After determining the number of the other side, considering that the Southern gentry near the Harpers Ferry Ferry were still held hostage by John Brown and others in the armory.

Robert Lee first sent people to the armory to negotiate with John Brown and persuade John Brown's Gilead Confederate armed forces to surrender.

First, if the other side can surrender, it would be the best outcome without fighting.

Secondly, he could also give an explanation to the top leaders of Virginia, proving that he did not disregard the lives of Congressman Randall and others, but had to launch a strong attack on the armory.

Robert Lee gave this glorious task to Lieutenant Colonel George Palmer, asking him to take Buchanan's telegram to negotiate with John Brown.

Although Lieutenant Colonel George Palmer was unwilling, he could only bite the bullet and go to the armory to negotiate with John Brown and others.

"You have been surrounded, put down your weapons, and stop resisting in vain. This will not benefit you." He entered the armory alone and said to John Brown and others.

This was the first time George Palmer had face-to-face contact with John Brown and others.

When he saw that the other side was a group of people without uniforms, most of them were in tatters, and there were many black people in the team. George Palmer was greatly surprised, and his face was full of disbelief: The Virginia militia trained by Laozi was repelled by this group of people?

"There is no word for surrender in my dictionary. Please go back. There is no need to waste your words here." John Brown's attitude was very firm.

Seeing that the other party had no intention of surrendering, George Palmer handed the telegram he brought with him to John Brown: "This is the telegram from the President. Please take a look."

"I can't read." John Brown glanced at the telegram handed over by George Palmer and said coldly. He did not reach out to take the telegram.

John Brown was not speaking in anger. He had not received a good education and only knew some simple words. He really couldn't understand the flowery telegram sent by Buchanan.

"General Robert Lee:

It is reported that the Gilead Confederate armed rebels led by John Brown have occupied the Harpers Ferry Ferry. You are assigned to eliminate this rebel force. Please lead the Virginia local troops to quell the rebellion immediately after receiving the telegram and take all necessary actions. Eliminate the enemy quickly and decisively to ensure the safety of the area.

President Buchanan.

Federal government headquarters."

George Palmer could only read the telegram sent by Buchanan in front of John Brown.

When he heard that his behavior was defined as rebellion by the federal government and his identity was labeled as a rebel.

John Brown felt dizzy and almost fell to the ground.

Buchanan's telegram dealt a greater blow to John Brown and others than the armed uprising without the response of the black slaves in the South.

At first, John Brown refused to believe that the contents of the telegram were true, until an old friend who could read in the team snatched the telegram and confirmed that the contents of the telegram were true, not fabricated by George Palmer, John Brown completely gave up.

He fought for freedom, but was mercilessly labeled as a traitor by the government that claimed to represent freedom.

"What was John Brown's reaction after seeing the president's telegram?" Robert Lee asked George Palmer who returned.

"They were as sad as if they had lost their parents, and their morale was low." George Palmer patted his chest and said, "But their attitude was still very stubborn and they refused to surrender."

Being able to walk out of the armory alive made him feel like he had survived a disaster. He was really worried that John Brown and his men would detain him in a rage, or even shoot him.

Fortunately, although John Brown and others were born in humble circumstances, they were still reasonable and abided by the rules.

"Very good, Lieutenant Colonel Palmer, you go and select five companies. After the bombardment is over, immediately launch a general attack on the armory! We must take back the armory in one battle and destroy the Gilead Alliance Armed Forces!" Robert Lee gave the order.

Soon, the artillery company brought by Robert Lee set up 8 12-pound Napoleon cannons outside the armory, and launched an artillery attack on the armory after correcting the main design.

The Gilead Alliance Armed Forces in the armory also launched a counterattack by launching the cannons in stock from the armory. Unfortunately, since there were no professional artillery talents in the Gilead Alliance Armed Forces, they could only barely fire the cannons after a long time of tossing. As for the accuracy of the artillery, it was really hard to praise.

Soon, Robert Lee's artillery company suppressed the firepower of the Gilead Alliance.

As soon as the bombardment ended, Lieutenant Colonel George Palmer led five companies to launch a general attack on the armory, and the two sides broke out in the most intense exchange of fire since the war began.

Under the fierce attack of the Virginian army, the Gileadite allied forces, which were at an absolute disadvantage in morale and numbers, quickly fell into a disadvantage. The gate of the armory was lost, and the Virginian army then attacked the armory.

After entering the armory, under the order of Robert Lee, the Virginia Army did not give the Gilead Confederates a break, and continued to pursue the remnants of the Gilead Confederates who retreated to the administrative building.

After an hour and thirty minutes of hard fighting, the Gilead Confederates suffered heavy losses. 43 militants were directly killed and 36 militants were seriously injured. Even John Brown's eldest son and second son died in the fierce fighting.

John Brown himself and his third son, Brown Jr., were seriously injured and captured by the Virginia Army along with the remaining 32 militants.

Compared with the heavy casualties of the Gilead Confederates, the Virginia Army led by Robert Lee suffered much less losses. Only 4 people died directly in the battle, and only 8 people were injured.

Congressman Randall and other local gentry and celebrities who were detained by John Brown were also successfully rescued. The only drawback was that during the battle, several Gilead Confederates escaped.

The Virginia high-ranking officials heaved a sigh of relief when they learned that Robert Lee had recaptured the armory.

At the same time, the Virginia authorities began to prepare for the armed trial of the Gilead Confederacy headed by John Brown.