She recruited fighters for John Brown
By 1858, Tubman was something of a legend of the Underground Railroad. That spring she was introduced to the leading abolitionist John Brown. While some sought to abolish slavery through peaceful means alone, Brown felt violence could be justified. He wanted slaves to rise up. All he needed was a small army of men and their first battle would, Brown believe, trigger a widespread slave uprising across the South.
Tubman was attracted by Brown’s religious beliefs and passion. He in turn saw Tubman as a valuable asset. Above all, her knowledge of escape routes and support networks could be of huge value to Brown and his fellow abolitionists. What’s more, Brown knew that Tubman had helped slaves get to Ontario. He asked her to recruit men who might be willing to fight with him. “General Tubman” as he called her, agreed. Additionally, Tubman also helped raise funds to help Brown in his fight.
In the end, however, Tubman played no active part in Brown’s attack on the town of Harpers Ferry in Virginia. Instead, she was many miles away, giving pro-abolition talks and looking after her family. Her absence was a blessing. The raid failed, and Brown was captured. He was tried and convicted of treason. Brown was hanged in December 1858. Tubman was among those who saw him as a martyr for the abolitionist cause. She noted that Brown had “done more in dying than 100 men would in living.”