President Buchanan sent U.S. Marines, led by Lt. Col. Robert E. Lee, to deal with the rebellion. At dawn on Tuesday, October 18, Lee's forces surrounded the engine house. Brown refused to surrender, stating he preferred death. Marines punched a hole through the door, largest enough for one Marine at a time to enter. Lt. Israel Green wounded Brown with a saber strike—his metal breastplate saving him from a fatal blow.

In less than three minutes, the raid was over. Four of Brown’s men were killed or captured, and one Marine was mortally wounded. None of the hostages were harmed. By 7:30 a.m., less than a day and a half after the attack at Harpers Ferry had commenced, John Brown’s war had ended. Or had it just begun?