Parsons, Luke F. (1833-1926) to J. E. Boos
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03227 Author/Creator: Parsons, Luke F. (1833-1926) Place Written: Kansas Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 March 1911 Pagination: 3 p. ; 26.5 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Reminiscences about John Brown by a former follower. Gives a physical description of Brown, and discusses Brown's conviction to always fight for what was right. "He said the Lord had created him to be the deliverer of the slaves from bondage, the same as he did Moses." Of Brown's composure says he was "never excited, always cool, calm, and thoughtful, but had the deliberate courage of a lyon." Also relates a story from their days together in Kansas. Written from "Home."
John E. Boos was a noted compiler of material related to Lincoln from Albany, New York.
Luke F. Parsons joined John Brown at Black Jack, and fought with him for a year in Kansas. Parsons was with Brown when he learned of the death of his son, Frederick Brown. Initially Parsons was supposed to be involved in the raid on Harpers Ferry, but the plans were repeatedly pushed back, and Parsons became uninvolved. Served in the Union Army.
[Excerpt]
To me, John Brown's pictures all look like him, either with full beard, or smooth shaven. He was tall and slender, round shouldered, with light complexion, sharp grey eyes that saw everything about him. He had a prominent chin and aquiline nose. His head was high above the ears. His favorite posture was standing with his hands clasped behind him under his coat. He was a man of few words, but was a good listener. He said the Lord had created him to be the deliverer of the slave from bondage, the same as he did Moses to free the children of Israel. No John Brown was never excited, always cool, calm, and thoughtful, but had the deliberate courage of a lyon [sic] ... He said 'I would rather have the small-pox, yellow fever, and cholera all together in my camp, than a man without principles. Bullies are not the best fighters, give me men of good principles; God fearing men, and with dozen of them I will oppose a hundred such men as these Boarder [sic] Ruffians.' On the morning of Aug 30th 1856 when Brown was told that the Boarder Ruffians were coming and that they had killed Fred Brown, and Garrison Brown [he] was not excited at all, he started right off, saying come on men, he and I walked together nearly a half mile before the other men overtook us, there was scarsely [sic] a word said, except he said to me Parsons were you ever under fire! I said no but tell me what you want me to do and I will do it. He said take more pains to end life well, than to live long. I guess I had better send you my speech that I made at Osawatomie, 54 years after the fight ... It not only tells about Brown, but discribes [sic] the battle and also tells where all the John Brown men are now ...
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