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)