(Ken Burns reads.)  In 1859 Robert E. Lee was called upon to lead a force of Marines to end John Brown's raid on the arsenal at this site
[DOC] [TLE] John Brown's Raid - Eric - U.S. Department of Education [PAR] Chronology of John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry, 1859 22 ... U.S. Armory and 
Arsenal in 1859 26.