How the Actions of Governor Wise and the State of Virginia in the Case of John Brown may be easily Justified. After months of planning, John Brown and his twenty-one “soldiers” marched into the strategically located town of Harpers Ferry with the goal of starting a slave revolt which would lead to the abolishment of the institution of slavery. Within hours Brown and his followers had taken several hostages, and gained control of the armory, the arsenal, and the engine house. The following days consisted of skirmishes with the towns people and the arrival of the United States Marines. After a brief confrontation the Marines easily captured Brown