gradual emancipation of all his slaves. Lee had accordingly obtained
leave of absence to make a flying trip to Virginia for the purpose
of undertaking this duty, and he was actually making arrangements
to carry out Mr. Custis's wishes in respect to his slaves when
the news of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry reached Arlington.
Word of this reckless attempt to free the slaves by force reached
him in the form of a dispatch from the Secretary of War, ordering
him to take immediate charge of the United States marines who were
being hurried to the scene of action. He instantly obeyed and,
with Lieutenant J. E. B. Stuart as his second in command, hastened
to Harper's Ferry and, directing his troops to storm the engine-house
where Brown and his followers had taken refuge, effected their
capture almost without striking a blow. Then, after delivering
his prisoners to the proper authorities, he completed his work at
Arlington and returned to Texas and the rough life of guarding the
frontier line.

From this duty he was recalled to Washington in March, 1861, when
the Southern States were rapidly forming the Confederacy, the
whole country was in wild confusion and the nation was facing the
prospect of a terrific civil war.





Chapter IX