These two letters were written by John W. Brown of the "Wythe Grays"and pertain to the company's excursion to Charlestown, Va. following the trials of radical abolitionist John Brown's coconspirators. The letters were published in the December 17 and 24, 1859 editions of the Wytheville Times.

Editor Times: - I promised when I left Wytheville to give you an account of the trip of the Wythe Grays from Wytheville to this place. We started, as you are aware, on Thursday morning the 8th, arrived at Richmond, we were conducted to the Governor's mansion where we were received by His Excellency in a speech of nor great length but abounding in great sense. Mr. Wm. H. Cook replied on behalf of our company. Gov. Wise informed us that we should be well fed when we arrived at our destination on Pork and Beef, Beans and Cabbage, but that we must be prepared to endure hardships like good soldiers, and after furnishing us with Blankets and Over Coats we were sent on our way rejoicing.

The trip from Richmond to this place was an exceedingly pleasant one and full of interest to all. The ride on the Steamboat, the view of Mount Vernon, the visit to the Armory at Harper's Ferry, and other things, afforded real gratification to us Mountain Boys. I was surprised at the polite attention shown us by the people of Harper's Ferry, and especially by the workmen at the Armory. The many questions which were naturally prompted by our greenness were answered in a manner so prompt and pleasant that we were almost persuaded that we were doing them a favor! There are two departments one for the Manufacture or Rifles and the other for Muskets. We were shown the holes in the wall that were made by the shots of the soldiers guns in forcing the way into old "Ossawottomie's" retreat.

We are quartered here in the Basement of the Presbyterian Church and have the very best accommodations that can be afforded under the circumstances. There are at present between seven and eight hundred soldiers stationed here but there is no better Captain and no finer looking men than ours. So say we, and so report says the ladies say. Of course those very discerning creatures have a right to their opinion!

We have been placed under the command of Col. Stewart and will be taken through a drill by him tomorrow. Whatever verdancy there is in us will then be detected for he is without doubt a good soldier. Woe be unto the man who makes a wrong step or put the wrong foot foremost. In the very emphatic language of one of our men he will, in that event, be the Colonel's meat.

Nothing of special importance has transpired as yet, and I will wait for something to turn up before I write you anything that can be dignified with the name of a letter. I forgot to state that we arrived here yesterday and are all well.

Friend Huff: - Notwithstanding I am much fatigued by the many duties of the day, yet I think I can muster sufficient energy to pen you a few pages.

The military force here has been increasing by almost daily accessions from the adjoining counties, numbering at present, I think, about 800 soldiers including Cavalry and Artillery although the number has been variously estimated at 1,000 to 1,300.

The Wythe Grays, of which I have the honor to be a member, have elicited unbounded praise form civilians as well as from military men. The gentlemanly demeanor of the men, their sober and orderly bearing, has justly won for them an enviable and justly merited mede of praise.

Our true and noble commander, Capt. Joseph F. Kent, occupies a place in the hearts of al his men. Mild, yet firm; forbearing, yet just; he stands up bravely for the defence of the rights of his men, and before he would surrender a point where right was involved, he would make almost any sacrifice.

Our Lieutenants, William Terry and Joseph Hurt, and our ever accommodating Orderly Sergeant, Charles A. Haller, have done all in their power, and have left no opportunity unimproved, whereby the comfort and pleasure of the company might be enhanced.

You can form a very imperfect idea of the arduous duties and responsibilities incumbent upon a soldier in regular service. Orders, however unpleasant, must be obeyed with alacrity, without a murmur. Night after night, through cold, rain, and storm, the weary Sentinel must tread his lonely post without sleep or food; and yet noble and patriotic he serves with fidelity, feeling that the rewards of conscience and the privilege of defending his beloved institutions are of more worth than the paltry sum with which he is compensated.

The citizens of this place (may Heaven smile upon and enrich them,) have manifested a spirit of kindness commendable and praise worthy in any people. They have been touched with sympathy for those who have pleasant homes, wives and children, and have exposed themselves to privations and suffering for their protection.

I had the pleasure last night to spend a most agreeable evening with the well known popular Artist, Porte Crayon. He is as any one might suppose (from reading his sketches) an agreeable, pleasant gentleman, free from all the infirmities of ceremony and formality, easy and affable, courteous and polite - anxious to entertain agreeably those with whom he is thrown. He is a man of versatile talent, quick perception - taking in at a glance what would occupy the intense study of any ordinary man.

Quite a new and exciting act in the Drama was introduced to the public last night and nearly played through without an audience to applaud. About 8 1-2 o'clock one of the Clarke Guards, a Mr. Guard, while standing Sentinel upon the western side of the Jail in a narrow alley, saw some object appear above the Jail wall. Cocking his rifle, the object immediately disappeared. Keeping his eye fixed upon the spot at which the object appeared, he soon saw the form of a human head slowly ascending above the parapet. Leveling his rifle he fired not knowing whether or not his fire had taken effect. Without removing his eye from the spot, he reloaded, but nothing more was seen to cause suspicion. The officer of the day hearing the report of the rifle, immediately repaired to the Jail yard, and discovered to his unutterable surprise that the two prisoners Cook and Copie had escaped from their cells, removed the irons upon their hands and feet, and were in the act of springing over the walls, when the timely caution of the Sentinel arrested their further progress. The prisoners were not injured by the Sentinel, nor by their subsequent fall back into the yard. Upon examining into the condition of affairs, it was discovered that the prisoners had succeeded in removing the materials from the wall of the Jail, placing the accumulations in the drum of their stove, until having enlarged the apperture to the desired size, made their escape through the opening into the yard.

Over the place in the wall through which the apperture was made, a plank had been placed perhaps before the convicts became occupants of the cell, removing the plank while at work and replacing it at other times, they had thus wrought (as they say) for almost three weeks without detection. The manacles of the prisoners had been removed, yet nothing was found in their possession when captured, but a barlow knife and a screw from their bed.

Precaution had been taken to place a double guard around the Jail the night of the attempt at escape, and but for this timely move, little doubt remains but that the effort would have proved successful.

You can better imagine the excitement that prevailed when the report gained credence, than I can describe it. Every soldier felt that it would be a personal disgrace, and a slur upon the chivalrous military of Virginia, if a prisoner should escape while guarded by the bayonets of brave men. I am proud to say that though the civil guard proved inefficient through neglect or wonton carelessness that the ever vigilant eye of the watchful Soldier was ever ready to repel danger in whatever form it might come.

I think a majority are disposed to think that the Jailor and Sheriff if not cognizant of the attempt to escape, were at least very much to blame in the affair. The whole affair is yet shrouded in mystery and none can account for the manner in which the manacles were removed from the prisoners. After the men Cook and Copie were securely hand cuffed and removed to another cell, the guard was trebbled around the Jail and through the town. Squads of Soldiers patrolled the whole night, and scouts of Cavalry were sent to scour the surrounding country. A requisition for an extra detachment of 15 men was made upon our company – nothwithstanding the regular number of our men were already upon guard duty. Almost our whole company (your humble servant among the rest) volunteered to do duty, wherever we might be called. About 20 of our men were chosen, most of whom were posted to guard the prisoners.

So thick were the Sentinels through the streets that you could scarcely advance any distance, without a challenge and a demand for the countersign.

Several arrests of suspicious characters were made. It was thought by some that forces had been concentrated near the town - ready (in case the prisoners escaped) to guard them to some place of security, or if the attempt to escape proved unsuccessful, to make an attack upon the town, but the subsequent quiet that prevailed dispelled all such vague fears.

Last night about 4 1-2 o'clock, through the kindness of Capt. Anthony, I was invited to visit the prisoners in their cell. When I entered all four of the prisoners were apparently asleep, Cook and Coppie occupied the same bed together. Cook was lying on his back with his hands interlocked upon his breast. Coppie was lying with his face to the wall, presenting a view of his face. The two negroes, Copeland and Shields Green, were together lying upon a bed spread on the floor. It was indeed a pitiable sight to witness these four condemned criminals in their desolate cell. No ray of hope sailed upon them. Despair, deep despair, dark and horrible fixed upon their countenances. The last hope fled in their ineffectual attempt at escape, now entirely in the clutches of the law, awaiting for its demands upon their lives.

Yesterday evening Lieutenant Green, of the United States Marines, read the order of the day, (the day of execution.)

This morning at 8 1-2 o'clock the Military assembled in battalions, and marching to the field of execution took up their positions according to Programme.

The Wythe Grays were assigned a good position upon the left and rear of the gallows, other companies taking up positions in the vicinity of the gallows.

A large number of the Military were left in town to guard the prisoners and defend the town. A few minutes before 11 o'clock the two negroes Copeland and Shields Green riding upon their coffins, were escorted to the field. Cavalry preceded and followed in the rear of the wagon, while Soldiers on foot flanked right and left of the prisoners - moved with slow and steady step.

Arriving upon the ground the culprits immediately mounted the scaffold. None were permitted to be near the gallows besides a few dignitaries and the Medical Staff. A solemn prayer was offered on behalf of those who were about to suffer the extreme penalty of the law. The noose was speedily adjusted by the Sheriff, and in a moment the bodies of the murderers were suspended between Heaven and Earth. The negro Copeland was much convulsed, and repeatedly endeavored to extricate the cords that bound him. Shields Green died almost without movement of a muscle. Being satisfied after a sufficient time that life was extinct in the two bodies, they were cut down, and subjected to the inspection of the Medical Staff; after which the bodies being placed in coffins were removed from the field.

Between 12 and 1 o'clock a solemn cortege was once more seen approaching from the Jail to the gallows. No music, scarcely a whisper was heard to break in upon the almost painful stillness that prevailed. Nearer and nearer with measured step, came the silent procession, until arriving at the appointed place they halted.

Cook, as he has often been described, is a fair blue-eyed youthful looking man. Pale and haggard he ascended the scaffold, in a restless uneasy manner. He was evidently much affected, though bracing himself for the awful conflict. Tears filled his eyes, though as well as I could see (though I was near the gallows) no tears ran down his pale careworn face.

Coppie more lively than his ill-fated partner in crime was much more composed than Cook, and evidenced much less fear. He frequently spoke to those near the wagon, and was upon the gallows. Neither expressed any desire to address those present. A white cap was carefully placed over their head and face. Cook's firmness was evidently failing fast, and manifested a desire for execution to be expeditious.

Both shook hands with those upon the scaffold and then with each other, Cook said "Good bye all" and then remarked "Let it be done as soon as possible," but before the last syllable was uttered, he and his companion were suspended by their necks.

I think there is no doubt, but that the necks of both were dislocated by the fall - for scarcely a tremulous motion of the muscles indicated remaining life. The bodies after due time were cut down, and placed in coffins. I noticed Cook's coffin was directed by Mrs. Crowley, his sister-in-law, Willamsburg, New York.

The rope with which they were hung, was sent from Kentucky to Gov. Wise.

Many reflections crowd upon me while reviewing the scenes of the day, but they can be of no possible good to any one, and I shall refrain from expressing them. Justice has been meted out with no sparing hand to those who have raised the standard of insurrection and treason upon the soil of Virginia. Traitors have been struck down, the laws of our land vindicated, the wrongs of our citizens redressed, and a lesson taught to fanatics that might is not right - but that the rights of all should be respected.

I know not the disposition which will be made of the troops now here. Reports, ever in circulation, say that 300 soldiers will be detained here until after the trial and execution of Stevens and Haslett, for but little doubt remains that they will meet with the just fate of their co-adjutors.

Porte Crayon the Artist for Harper's Magazine and Weekly was upon the field, and will doubtless furnish the public with an accurate and faithful sketch.

I do not know the precise time we shall be ordered home, but I hope soon to be with you again, and further hope that no subsequent occasion may call forth the bone and sinew of the Mountains and Valleys to defend the rights of the people.