Visit Your Local PBS Station PBS Home PBS Home Programs A-Z TV Schedules Watch Video Support PBS Shop PBS Search PBS

History Detectives  The Spear That Stoked the Civil War

Did abolitionist rebels use this weapon in John Brown's notorious raid on Harpers Ferry? Details

 
 

Program: History Detectives

Episode: The Spear That Stoked the Civil War

Wes Cowan looks into whether this antique spear weapon was part of abolitionist John Brown's notorious Harpers Ferry raid. Our contributor bought the spear, or pike, from an antique shop in Chagrin Falls, Ohio where John Brown is known to have lived. Follow Wes on the trail to the blacksmith who forged the weapon over 150 years ago and the ground at Harpers Ferry where the battle took place.

Duration: (18:44)
Premiere Date: 07/05/2011
Episode Expires: Never
TV Rating: NR


To view the full experience of this website, please download and install Adobe Flash Player 9.

Did you know? Viewers like you are our largest single source of support.

More Videos from History Detectives

Full episodes
52 VIDEOS

Chandler Tintype, Hollywood Indian Ledger, Harlem Heirs
55:09 Air Date 10/11/11

Club Continental, St. V-Day Massacre, Society Circus Program
55:09 Air Date 09/27/11

Order of Leopold, Suffrage Pennant, WB Cartoon
55:09 Air Date 09/20/11

1775 Almanac, Exercise Records, Moon Museum
55:09 Air Date 09/06/11

Marion Carpenter Camera, Drug Smuggling Doll, Florida Map
55:09 Air Date 08/30/11

Hot Town Poster, Andrew Jackson Mouth, and Modoc Basket
56:09 Air Date 08/23/11
+ MORE FULL EPISODES
Previews
13 VIDEOS

Preview: October 25th
0:30 Air Date 10/25/11

Preview: October 18th
0:30 Air Date 10/18/11

Preview: October 11th
0:30 Air Date 10/11/11

Preview: September 27th
0:30 Air Date 09/27/11

Preview: September 20th
0:30 Air Date 09/20/11

Preview: September 6th
0:30 Air Date 09/06/11
+ MORE PREVIEWS
Shorts
216 VIDEOS

Ince's Hollywood Indian Payroll
15:56 Air Date 10/11/11

Fighting for Harlem Land Rights
15:13 Air Date 10/11/11

Wearing the Confederate Uniform: Slave or Soldier?
19:57 Air Date 10/11/11

Club Continental: Underworld Calling Card
18:58 Air Date 09/27/11

Order of Leopold: A Medal of High Honor from Belgium
17:13 Air Date 09/20/11

Suffrage Pennant
16:36 Air Date 09/20/11
+ MORE SHORTS