Existing comment:
"for the deposit of arms"
The Small Arsenal building that stood here from 1806-1861 was one of two warehouses for the nearby United States Armory. A Harpers Ferry visitor in 1821 described both buildings as "arsenals for the deposit of arms manufactured, consisting of rifle, muskets and some pistols which are handsomely arranged and make a fine show."
In 1859, abolitionist John Brown attacked Harpers Ferry hoping to inspire a revolt against slavery. Brown wanted the arsenal's weapons to arm recruits. Brown's raid came to a bloody end, but his actions helped propel the nation into the Civil War. When fighting broke out in 1861, retreating U.S. troops burned both federal arsenal buildings to keep the weapons from falling into Confederate hands.
During the 1859 attack, raiders Jeremiah Anderson and Albert Hazlett captured and held the arsenal buildings while just yards away Brown fought from inside the Fire Engine House. |