But on Oct. 17, 1859, the bell clanged to assemble the Frederick militia, a group that generally gathered to maintain order during public hangings.

"They didn't know what they were going to," said Chip Jewell, fire historian. "They knew there was some type of insurrection."

The Frederick militia became the first out-of-state military unit called to Harpers Ferry, Va., during John Brown's infamous raid.

About 100 militia members from the United guard, Independent riflemen and Junior defenders met up at their stations and went to the railroad station at South Market and East All Saints streets. They boarded a train headed to Harpers Ferry.

Fire company members and residents will pay tribute to those men Saturday and mark the 150th anniversary of the raid.

Fire company members had planned to re-create the walk from their original station locations, but predictions of rainy, chilly weather scuttled those plans, Jewell said.

He hopes about 10 fire officials from each station will be present when a marker describing the city's involvement in the raid is dedicated at the site of the former B&O station, now the Frederick Community Action Agency.

Many people who live here now do not know Frederick residents played a key role in the raid, Jewell said.

"It's a hidden fact that very few people are aware of. It's a unique part of history."

"I think it's a chance to learn more about the community's role in a nationally significant event," said John Fieseler of the Tourism Council of Frederick County.

The militia reached Harpers Ferry before U.S. Marines and soldiers arrived. U.S. Army Col. Robert E. Lee would lead the capture of Brown and his followers.

Brown was against slavery and believed the raid would cause slaves and sympathetic residents to flock to his cause, ultimately leading to the abolition of slavery.

No slaves came. Lee and his soldiers ended the raid, which resulted in the death of 10 of Brown's men and the capture of seven. Five escaped.

The Frederick militia was assigned duties such as guarding Brown and his men, watching railroad bridges and patrolling the streets, Jewell said. They served one day and came back to Frederick .

Brown was found guilty of treason and hanged Dec. 2, 1859.

Maryland is one of five states that participate in the Civil War Trail program whose 971 markers detail the history of the war, Fieseler said. Frederick County has 35 markers, more than any other county in the program.

The newest marker will also describe President Abraham Lincoln's stop in Frederick on Oct. 4, 1862, after he toured the Antietam and South Mountain battlefields.

Post your comments » Round 2: Snow expected to fall today, Wednesday Fast on the heels of the largest 24-hour snowfall to hit the Frederick County since 1983, meteorologists are predicting another round of heavy snow and wind to hit today. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Monday afternoon for the area, including Frederick County, and said 10 to 20 inches of snow is possible by Wednesday night. Weather-related closings, delays A list follows of weather-related closings and cancellations for Monday. Fire and police blotter Police search for robber School closures cause makeup schedule revision Even though Frederick County Public Schools are closed today -- using the sixth snow day this school year -- the school system will not hold school on the Monday Presidents Day holiday as the first scheduled snow makeup day. Crowds pay respect to fallen marine Even U.S. Marines couldn't hold back tears Monday at the viewing of their colleague, Sgt. David Smith. The procession to the Frederick Christian Fellowship Church was led by Frederick County Sheriff's deputies. Dressed in full military regalia, Marines carried Smith's casket into the church followed by family members as more Marines stood at attention.