John E.P. Daingerfield facts for kids
John E.P. Daingerfield was an important person during a famous event in American history. He worked as a paymaster at the Harpers Ferry Armory when John Brown's Raid happened in 1859. A paymaster is someone who handles money and payments for an organization, like the army. During the raid, Daingerfield was taken hostage, but he was not hurt.
Contents
John Daingerfield's Early Life and the Harpers Ferry Raid
John E.P. Daingerfield played a part in a major event that led up to the American Civil War. In 1859, he was working at the Harpers Ferry Armory. An armory is a place where weapons are made and stored.
What Was John Brown's Raid?
The Harpers Ferry Armory was attacked by a group led by John Brown. John Brown was an abolitionist, meaning he was against slavery. He hoped to start a slave rebellion by taking over the armory and giving weapons to enslaved people. His plan did not work, and he was captured.
Daingerfield's Experience as a Hostage
During this raid, John Daingerfield was held hostage by John Brown's group. Being a hostage means being held against your will. Luckily, Daingerfield was not injured during the intense situation. His experience gave him a unique view of the raid, which he later shared with the public.
Joining the Confederate Army
After the raid, the United States was moving closer to the Civil War. On June 10, 1861, John Daingerfield joined the Confederate States Army. The Confederate Army was made up of soldiers from the southern states that had separated from the United States. He joined with the rank of captain.
Moving to the Fayetteville Arsenal
As the war began, important military supplies and equipment needed to be moved to safer places. Daingerfield was transferred to Fayetteville, North Carolina. This was because many weapons and manufacturing tools were moved from Harpers Ferry to the Fayetteville Arsenal in the same year. An arsenal is a military building where weapons and ammunition are made, repaired, and stored.
Important Roles in the Army
At the Fayetteville Arsenal, Daingerfield was given important jobs. Major John C. Booth, who was in charge of the arsenal, made him the military paymaster and storekeeper. These were respected positions in the army. As a paymaster, he managed the soldiers' wages. As a storekeeper, he was in charge of military supplies. Daingerfield also served in a group called the 2nd Battalion Local Defense Troops, which was often known as the Arsenal Guard. This group helped protect the arsenal.
Life After the War
Many years after the Civil War, John Daingerfield shared his story. In June 1885, a well-known magazine called The Century Magazine published his article.
Sharing His Story
His article was titled "John Brown at Harper's Ferry." In it, Captain Daingerfield told his personal account of the raid from the point of view of someone who was held prisoner. This gave people a rare look into what it was like to be caught in such a historic event.
Family Life in Fayetteville
In 1873, Daingerfield moved into a home in Heritage Square in Fayetteville. This home is still there today. He lived there with his wife, Matilda, and their four children. One of their sons, Elliot Daingerfield, grew up to become a very famous painter in North Carolina.
