Burning haystack panics Virginians anticipating an attempt to rescue John Brown

A haystack burned on a farm during the night three miles from Charlestown, Virginia causing excitement among the already nervous population preparing for the execution of John Brown and his men.  A thousand Virginia militiamen were already estimated to be in or near the town as wild rumors of attempted rescue circulated.  This fire brought a panicked call from militia commanders for the dispatch of even more troops.  (By John Osborne) 
Source Citation
"Unabated Excitement in Virginia," New York Times, November 19, 1859, p.1. 
    Type
    Legal/Political
    How to Cite This Page: "Burning haystack panics Virginians anticipating an attempt to rescue John Brown," House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, https://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/29927.