COUNCIL MEETINGS--ORDERS GIVEN--THE CHARGE--ETC.
On Sunday morning, October 16th, Captain Brown arose earlier than
usual, and called his men down to worship. He read a chapter from the
Bible, applicable to the condition of the slaves, and our duty as their
brethren, and then offered up a fervent prayer to God to assist in
the liberation of the bondmen in that slaveholding land. The services
were impressive beyond expression. Every man there assembled seemed to
respond from the depths of his soul, and throughout the entire day, a
deep solemnity pervaded the place. The old man’s usually weighty words
were invested with more than ordinary importance, and the countenance
of every man reflected the momentous thought that absorbed his
attention within.
After breakfast had been despatched, and the roll called by the
Captain, a sentinel was posted outside the door, to warn by signal
if any one should approach, and we listened to preparatory remarks
to a council meeting to be held that day. At 10 o’clock, the council
was assembled. I was appointed to the Chair, when matters of
importance were considered at length. After the council adjourned, the
Constitution was read for the benefit of the few who had not before
heard it, and the necessary oaths taken. Men who were to hold military
positions in the organization, and who had not received commissions
before then, had their commissions filled out by J. H. Kagi, and gave
the required obligations.
In the afternoon, the eleven orders presented in the next chapter
were given by the Captain, and were afterwards carried out in every
particular by the officers and men.
In the evening, before setting out to the Ferry, he gave his final
charge, in which he said, among other things:--“_And now, gentlemen,
let me impress this one thing upon your minds. You all know how dear
life is to you, and how dear your life is to your friends. And in
remembering that, consider that the lives of others are as dear to them
as yours are to you. Do not, therefore, take the life of any one, if
you can possibly avoid it; but if it is necessary to take life in order
to save your own, then make sure work of it._”