Brown decided to strike at Harpers Ferry, a small town about one hundred kilometers from Washington.It was part of Virginia at that time, but is now located in the state of West Virginia.

• 布朗决定进攻哈珀斯镇，这是一座距华盛顿只有一百公里左右的小镇，这个小镇在当时属于维吉尼亚州，现在则属于西维吉尼亚州。