u/Josephus_Junior

> Irish immigrant Joseph Barry could be called the Forrest Gump of 19th-century Harpers Ferry. In his book The Strange Story of Harpers Ferry, first published in 1903, he gives first-person accounts of John Brown's Raid, the Civil War, and historic floods. This lantern tour will relay some of his most colorful, tragic, and strange tales. > > Program Date: Friday, October 9th > Program Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM > Location: Harpers Ferry Train Station > > This guided hike has a $10.00 program fee. Registration is required to secure a spot for this program. > > — Harpers Ferry Park Association, event details

> Charles Town, West Virginia > > October 8, 1862 > > Dear Wife, > > I seat myself to write you a few lines to inform you how I am. I wrote to you and Father some time ago, but I did not know whether you received it or not. I thought I would write again. > > I am very poorly at this time. I have been wounded in my left leg. Since I have been wounded I have taken sick and I am notable to help myself, but I hope when these few lines come to hand they may find you well and happy. I would be very glad for you to send after me if it is possible for you to do so. For I am here and out of money. I can't help myself and if you please send after me, for I have lost everything I had. I could go home on furlough if I had the money to pay my way. It will be sometime before I am able to do duty, and I think if I was at home I would soon get well. I think if I have to stay here to get well, it will be some time before I get well enough to do duty. I am out of clothes for the winter if I should get able to wear them. > > I would be glad to see you and the children. I am in a little town called Charles Town in the hospital in an old hotel close to the old courthouse where old John Brown was hung. Close to Harpers Ferry. I want you to send after me, let it cost what it will for I will pay anything to get home and get my strength and health back one more time. Well, that is about all at this time. I will close by saying send after me if you please and give my love to Father and brothers, friends and acquaintances, but keep a portion for yourself. > > Yours truly until death, > > D.R. Chandler > > It is about one hundred and seventy miles from here to Richmond and if you send after me you must come to Winchester and get conveyance to come here.

— D.R. Chandler, letter from Charles Town, October 8, 1862

Watson Brown — son of John Brown, raider at Harpers Ferry — was born on this day in 1835.

> During the "Bleeding Kansas" years, Watson worked the family farm in North Elba, New York, while his father and brothers fought against the spread of slavery in Kansas. Four years later he decided to join his father at Harpers Ferry. Leaving a wife and baby he traveled to Virginia. Watson was mortally wounded on October 17 while carrying a white flag. He died on October 19 after the raid had ended.

— National Park Service, John Brown's Raiders

> The National Park Service will host a public meeting next month and in October to explain its choice to include the site of the 1862 Battle of Shepherdstown within the boundaries of the battlefield at Antietam. The Park Service released the results of its Shepherdstown Battlefield Special Resource Study this month for the public to comment on through Oct. 3. > > — Spirit of Jefferson, Battlefield study awaits comments

> The Pivotal Flight Team just completed a successful demonstration at Harpers Ferry, WV, during Industry Day for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. > > The crewed flight demonstrated vertical takeoff, a steep climb clear of surrounding trees and structures, and a clean transition into cruise. We also showed tight, low-altitude maneuvering, with the aircraft banking hard and holding a close orbit, the kind of flying needed to reach and circle a point of interest in difficult terrain. > > Pivotal aircraft can also fly uncrewed and can return and land at the exact point it took off from. > > Our performance draws on more than 11,000 flights across the U.S. Our flight training and testing locations in Northern California cover dynamic low-level environments over both land and coastline. > > The Pivotal team looks forward to continuing to demonstrate the use cases of our aircraft, both in personal electric flight and beyond it, in service of the homeland and first responders.

> Irish immigrant Joseph Barry could be called the Forrest Gump of 19th-century Harpers Ferry. In his book The Strange Story of Harpers Ferry, first published in 1903, he gives first-person accounts of John Brown’s Raid, the Civil War, and historic floods. This lantern tour will relay some of his most colorful, tragic, and strange tales. > > Led by Cathy Baldau, executive director of the Harpers Ferry Park Association, this EASY-rated hike offers an engaging journey through history. The route includes uneven sidewalks, grassy areas, and paths. Cathy brings a wealth of knowledge to the tour; in her previous position as publications specialist, she edited and managed production of eight books on the history of Harpers Ferry. > > Participants should park and meet at the Train Station. Please allow extra time to find parking, as the Train Station lot may fill up quickly—autumn evenings are especially busy in Harpers Ferry. Don’t forget to bring a flashlight or lantern to light your way! > > This guided hike has a $10.00 program fee. Registration is required to secure a spot for this program.