Five for Freedom: The African American Soldiers in John Brown's Army

On October 16, 1859, John Brown and his band of eighteen raiders descended on Harpers Ferry. In an ill-fated attempt to incite a slave insurrection, they seized the federal arsenal, took hostages, and retreated to a fire engine house where they barricaded themselves until a contingent of US Marines battered their way in on October 18.

The raiders were routed, and several were captured. Soon after, they were tried, convicted, and hanged. Among Brown’s fighters were five African American men—John Copeland, Shields Green, Dangerfield Newby, Lewis Leary, and Osborne Perry Anderson—whose lives and deaths have long been overshadowed by their martyred leader and who, even today, are little remembered. Only Anderson survived, later publishing the lone insider account of the event that, most historians agree, was a catalyst to the catastrophic American Civil War that followed.

Five for Freedom is the story of these five brave men, the circumstances in which they were born and raised, how they came together at this fateful time and place, and the legacies they left behind. It is an American story that continues to resonate.

Praise:

"Eugene Meyer has given the story of John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry new meaning and relevance by restoring Brown’s black collaborators to their rightful place in history. Five for Freedom elevates the names Newby, Anderson, Copeland, Leary, and Green to stand with Brown as individuals who were willing to sacrifice their own lives to rid our country of the horror of chattel slavery."
— Margot Lee Shetterly, author of Hidden Figures

"Finding fascinating stories that other writers miss has been Eugene Meyer’s calling card for decades, and he has done it again with this important and largely untold story of five men forgotten in the John Brown legend."
— David Maraniss, Pulitzer-prize winning author and Washington Post Associate Editor

"Journalist Eugene L. Meyer uses his seasoned reportorial skills to illuminate an important tale lying in the shadows of antebellum American history. Five for Freedom provides the overdue account of the five African Americans who participated in John Brown’s storied raid on Harpers Ferry. Deftly weaving history and biography, Meyer reconstructs how these five men came to join the ill-fated attempt to spark a slave revolt. Their role will not be forgotten now that—at long last—it is contained in an engaging and memorable book."
— James McGrath Morris, author of Eye on the Struggle: Ethel Payne, the First Lady of the Black Press.

"Eugene L. Meyer has brought to light the central role of the leadership in the black community at the time of the raid as represented by the “Five for Freedom.” His book has done these freedom fighters a great service."
— Frank Smith, Founding Director, African American Civil War Memorial Museum

"A terrific read and an important book. Spanning nearly 175 years, Meyer’s deeply researched book shows how the lives of the courageous martyrs still influences the present day, and will likely continue to do so for generations. You probably have never heard of Osborne Perry Anderson, John Anthony Copeland, Shields Green, Lewis Sheridan Leary and Dangerfield Newby. But after reading this book, you will never forget them.
In years past, I’d visit Harpers’ Ferry to watch a natural wonder: the powerful and turbulent confluence of the historic Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. Now, Eugene Meyer takes us to a clash between slavery and freedom along the shores of that West Virginia town that makes those churning waters seem calm by comparison.
And a visit to Harpers Ferry will never be the same.
— Courtland Milloy, Jr., Washington Post columnist

The book, Five for Freedom: The African American Soldiers in John Brown's Army [Bulk, Wholesale, Quantity] ISBN# 9781613735718 in Hardcover by Eugene L. Meyer may be ordered in bulk quantities. Minimum starts at 25 copies. Availability based on publisher status and quantity being ordered.