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Historical Document Last words from John A. Copeland to family 1859 |
Resource Bank Contents |
Click here for the text of this historical document. John A. Copeland, a member of John Brown's band of men who raided the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, was captured, tried, convicted, and sentenced to death by a court in Charlestown, Virginia (now Charles Town, West Virginia).
In a letter written to his parents, brothers, and sisters from within a Charlestown jail cell -- just a few hours before his execution -- Copeland explained that he blamed no one but himself for his fate and that "we shall meet in heaven, where we shall not be parted by the demands of the cruel and unjust monster Slavery."
Related Entries:
• The raid on Harpers Ferry
• John Brown
• The raid on Harpers Ferry
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