Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 3, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 October 1859 — Insurrection at Harper's Ferry. [ARTICLE]

Insurrection at Harper's Ferry.

The Military Called Out. Frederick, Md. Oct. 17. An insurrection is reported to have taken place at Harper’s Ferry. An armed band of Abolitionists have full possession of the U. S. Arsenal there; the express train ronins East was fired, into. The mob arrested two men who came in with a load of wheat,took the wagon, loaded it with rifles, asd sent them into Maryland. There are two hundred and fifty whites and a gang of negroes. The Western train on the Ohio road has just arrived. The officers confirm the statement first received, and say the bridge keeper discovered that the light had been extinguished and went to ascertain the cause, when he was pursued and fired,upon by a gang of whites and blacks. The colored assistant baggage master was shot and mortally wounded. Conductor Phelps determined that he would not procesd, being uncertain as to the condition of the bridge, waited till after daylight; the train was delayed six hours. The conductor says the insurrectionists number two hundred whites and blacks, and have complete possession of the armory. They are commanded or led by a man named Anderson, who lately arrived at Harper's Ferry. The military of Frederick have been ordered out, and the President has ordered out the troops from this city. A special train is now getting ready to take theft) from here, and also from Old Point. Tin’s is authentic, and it is now considered certain that something serious is going on. Another account says the bridge across the Potomac was filled with insurgents, all armed. Every light in town was extinguished, hotels all closed, streets in possession of the mob, ar.d every road and lane leading thereto, barricaded and guarded. Mon were seen in every d’rection with muskets and bayonets, who arrested citizensand pressed them into service, including many negroes. This done, the U. S. Arsenal and Government pay house, in which it was said was a large amount of money, including all the other public works, were sei zed by the mob. Some were of the opinion that the object was evidently to rob the Government of funds deposited on Saturday, at the Pay House. During the night they made a demand on Wager Hotel for provisions, and enforced the claim by a body of armed men. The citizens are in a terrible state of alarm, the insurgents having threatened to burn the town.

The loilowing has just been received from Monocacy, this side of Harper’s Ferry, by the mail agent on the Western bound tram, who has returned from Monocacy. He reports the train was unable to get thrjough. The town is in possession^of negroes, wire arrest every one they can catch and imprison them. The train due here at 3P. M. could not get through. The agent came down on an empty engine. The mail train west got as far as Sandy Hook. The bagage master and another party started on foot to the bridge; went through the bridge, and were taken and imprisoned. They went, before the captain of the insurrectionists, who refused to let anything pass. All ot the eastward bound trains lying west of Harper’s Ferry have been seized The mail train bound west has returned to this station. There are from 500 to 700 whites and blacks. Baltimore, October 17. At four o'clock a train filled with the military, consisting of the Law Greys, City Guards, Shields Guards, and otl>er companies, left here for Harper’s Ferry. Several representatives of the press accompany the train. A dispatch from Martinsburg, which is situated west of Harper’s Ferry, sent via Wheeling and Pittsburg, has just been received. It confirms the report that the in : surrectionists have taken possession of the Arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, and adds: “The mob has planted cannon at the bridge, and the trains had all been stopped.” A party of men were getting ready to proceed thither to clear the road Great excitement existed in that vicinity. The American, of this city, has sent a special reporter by the military expedition, and some definite intelligence, it is expected, will soon bo received. The -eport d telegraphs from the Relay House say the expedition was joined there by 93 Marines from Washington, under the command of Colonel Harris, with two four pound, Howitzers.

Baltimore, Oct. 18. The town has been taken possession of by companies from Charleston and Shepards, town, Va.j and Frederick, Maryland. The rioters are entrenched in the armory; and hold Messrs. Washington and Lafeymold as prisoners. 5 The insurgents are commanded by Cap* ; tain Brown, of Kansas notoriety. They numbered originally 17 whites and 5 negroes, several of whom were shot. Two men cf the Martinsburg company were shot dead while charging on the ene* emy. A portion of the insurgents left here inr der the Command of a cadet named Cook, who with a large party of slaves, are supposed to be running towards Pennsylvania. Allen \ tins, one of the insurgents, is lying :n a dying condition, having been shot through the breast. He is from Connecticut, but has been in Kansas. He says the whole scheme was got up by Brown, who represented that-the negroes would rise by thousands, and Maryland and Virginia would be made free States. Col. Shriven of Frederick just had an interview with Brown in the armory. He asked to be allowed to march out with his men, and avowed his intention of defending himself to the last. His men are strongly posted in the engine house. Cannon cannot be used against them for fear of injuring the prisoners. Some sixteen persons are known to have been killed. Three rioters are lying dead under the bridge—having been shot by the Shepardstown troops in their charge on the bridge. Capt. Cook is second in command of the insurgents; he is sai 1 to be posted in a school house four miles distant, with a large crowd of runaway slaves. The armory was taken possession of about 9 o’clock Sunday night; so quietly was it done t ’.at the citizens knew nothing about it until the train was stopped. Col. Lee, who has arrived here, thinks there are enough troops at hand to capture the rioters, and seems certain that the original party only consisted of twenty white men and five free negroes. Capt. Brown had been about here and rented a farm four miles ofl', which was the rendezvous of the rioters. Capt. Cook also lived about here, and at one time taught a school. All the other white men are unknown, but supposed to have been connected with Brown in Kansas. It is reported, but not confirmed, that the i ioters have carried ofl a considerable amount of the Government funds.

No attempt was made to pillage the town or to insult females. Capt. Brown claims easy terms on account of his moderation. , Harper’s Ferry, Oct. 18, 3 o’clock a. m. The conflict on the bridge was fought mainly by railroad men from Martinsburg, led by Capt. Alberts. Evan Dorsey, a conductor, was killed. Conductors Brown and Hallett were woundNo datMge was done to the railroad or bridge by the rioters. It is supposed that the rioters will be fried under martial law as soon as captured, and hung on the spot. 6 a. m.—The following is a special report received from the editor of the Baltimore American: “Preparations are now making for an attack on the Arsena’l. Soldiers are posted all round the ground, and for the last hour everything has been quiet.” Ihe lioters have still the following persons in their custody as prisoners: Armisted Ball, chief draughtsman at the armory; Benj. Mills, master of the armory; John P. Dangerfield, paymaster; Clark Lewis Washington, a farmer and prominent citizen; John Alstedt, a farmer, and his son, sixteen years old. Rhe three persons last named were seized on their farms, several miles from the Ferry. George Turner, a graduate of West Point, wns shot yesterday while coming into town; he died during the night. Three ot the rioters are lying dead in the the streets; there are also three in the river, and it is said that several of them are lying within the armory enclosure. The following js a list of the killed among the citizens and soldiers: Fountain Beckman; Haywood, a negro porter at the railroad station; J. Barrlly, of Harper’s Ferry; Evan Dorsey and George Richardson, of Martinsburg. Another rioter, Lewis Leary, who has just died, confessed to thQ particulars of the plot, which, he says, was concocted by Brown at a fair held in Ohie some two months ago. The rioters have just sent out a flag of truce, saying if they are not protected by the soldiers here nt present, they will hang all they capture. Harper’s Ferry, Oct. 18, 8 A. M. 1 he armory has just been stormed and taken, after a determined reistnnee. Col. Shult approached and demanded the surrender of the armory; after expostulating for some time the rioters refused. The ma’-’ Hues then advanced and made a charge, endeavoring to break open the door hammers, but it restated all their efforts A large ladder was then used as a battering ram, and the door gave way. The rioters fired briskly, and shot three of the marines, who exchanged shots through the partly

broken doors. The ma.-ines then forced their way in, and in a few minutes the resistance was at an end. z The rioters were brought out amidst the most intense excitement, many of the armed militia trying to get an opportunity to shoot them. Brown and his son were both shot—the latter is dead and the former dying. Brown says he is the old Ossawattomie Brown whose feats in Kansas have had such wide notice. He Says his object was to free the slaves, and justifies his action; he says he had possession of the town and could have murdered all the people, and has been murdered in return. J. G. Anderson was also shot in the assault. He was from Connecticut. Brown declares there were mne engaged in the plot but those who accompanied him. The prisoners are retained within the enclosure of th 3 armory. Baltimore, Oct. 18. Intense excitement, and nothing is talked of but the insurrection. Gen. Stewart, through Gov. Wise, has communicated orders to Gen. J. W. Watkins of this city to prepare, equip and mount immediately a body of men for service in the mountains near Harper’s Ferry, where many insurgents have taken refuge. Gov. Wise passed the Relay house today en route for the seat of war. Three artillery companies from Fort Monroe arrived this morning, and were quartered at Fort McHenry awaiting orders. The directors of,.the Pennsylvania Railroad, with their ladies, arrived at Martinsburg yesterday on their Way home from the recent excursion to Chicago. The train was delayed by the difficulty at Harper’s Ferry, but as the track is now uninterrupted, they ore probably on their way to this city, and may reach Philadelphia to-night. Harper’s Ferry, Oct. 18. Noon; —Soon after the storming of the armory, four dead bodies of the insurgents, who were shot yesterday, were passed without the enclosure. Capt. Brown and his son are dangerously W' unded, and only two of the insurgents are unwounded, viz: Edwin Capplish (white) from lowa, and Childs Green, (colored) also from lowa. The party originally consisted of twentytwo persons, of whom fifteen are killed, two mortally Wounded, two unhurt, and three escaped with the slaves. On Monday morning, soon after the assault on the armory, softie firing took place from the hills on the Maryland shore, supposed to be a parting salute from Cook, whe left on Monday morning. The fire was returned with a general volley, but both parties were too distant to do damage. A compan /of ,hax.e gone in pursuit of the fugitives. There aire probably one thousand armed men now congregated here. Reinforcements have been pouring in all night from all quarters of the surrounding country. 1:30 P.M. —The Secretary of War has telegraphed to Col. Lee that Mr. Quid, Dis- j trict Attorney for the District of Columbia, will proceed forthwith to Harper’s Ferry to ! take charge of the proceedings against" the ■ prisoners'and bring them to trial. The train is now getting ready to convey ’ horses and men from here to pursue the ri- i oters into any State or locality where they may have fled. Baltimore, Oct. 18: The following fragment of a letter was found in Capt. Brown’s pocket. It occupies ~a. page of fine note paper, straw tinted, and is written id pencil, evidently by a person of education. It is without date. The freight alldddd to is doubtless the sort usually carried the underground railroad. “Catt. Brown.— Dear Sir: I have been ! dissappointed at not seeing you here ere this to take charge of your freight. They > have been here now for two weeks, and as I 1 superintended the provinder for them, it has imposed on me no small task; beside, if not soon taken on, some of them will go back to Missouri. I vkish to know definitely what -you propose doing. They cannot be kept here much longer without risk to themselves, and if any of them conclude to go back to the State, it will be a bad termination to your enterprise.” No signature.The following interesting narrative of the recent events at Harper’s Ferry, is cleaned from the report of the editor of the Baltimore American: The principal originator of this short but bloody insurrection was undoubtedly Captain John Brown, who was connected with the Border warfare of Kansas. Brown made his first appearance in the vicinity of Harper’s Ferry a year or more ago, accompanied by his two sons—the whole party assuming the name of Smith. He inquired about land in the vicinity, and for some time boarded at Sandy Point, a mile east of the Ferry. After an absence of some few mor.ths they reappeared in the vicinity, and the elder Brown rented or leased a farm on the Maryland side, about four miles from the Ferry. They bought a large number of picks and spades, thus creating the belief that they intended to mine for ores.

They were seen frequently in and about Harper’s Ferry, but no each thought seems to have existed that Bill Smith was Capt. Brown, or that he intended embarking in any movement so desperate or extraordinary, yet the development of the plot leaves no doubt that his visits to the Ferry and his loan of a farm were parts of his preparation for the insurrection wh ch he supposed would be successful in exterminating slavery in Maryland and V rginia. Brown's chief aid was John E. Coo*-', a young man who has resided in and near the Ferry for some years; he was first employed in attending a canal lock, afterward taught a school on the Maryland side of the river,, and after a brief residence in Kansas, where he became acquainted with Brown, returned to the Ferry and married. These two men, with Brown’s two sons, are the only white men connected with the insurrection that had been previously about the Ferry; *ll were brought by Brown from a distance, and nearly all -were with him in Kansas. Tha first active movement the insurrection was made on Sunday night, when the watchman of the bridge, while walking across it to the. Mary land side, was seized by a number ef men who said he was their prisbner and must go'With them. ’‘He recognized Brown and Cook, and knowing them, he treated the matter as a joke, but they -conducted him to the armory, which was already in their possession. The watchman who

was to relieve Williamson at midnight, found the bridge lights all out, and was seized. Supposing it an attempt at robbery, he broke away, and his pursuers stumbling over he escaped. The next appearance of the insurgents was at the house of Col. Lewis Washington, living about four miles from the Ferry. A part}’ headed by Cook proceeded there, roused Col. W., and told him he was their prisoner. They seized all the slaves near the house, a carriage and a large wagon with three horses. Col. W. recognized Cook as having called upon him some months previous, and to whom he had exhibited some valuable arms, including an antique sword presented by Frederick to Gen. George Washington, a pair of pistols presented by Lafayette to the same. Cook now alluded to his former visit, the courtesy with which he had been treated, and regretted the necessity which made it his duty to arrest Col. W. He took advantage of the knowledge obtained by his former visit to carry off all the valuable collection of arms, which Col. W. did not recover until after the final defeat of the insurrection. From Col. Washington’s the party proceeded with him as a prisoner, in his own carriage, and twelve of his negroes in the wagon, to the house of Mr. Allsteadt, another large farmer on the same road. Mr. A. and his son, a lad of sixteen, were taken prisoners, and all the negroes within reach being forced to join the movement, they returned to the armory at the Ferry. All these movements seem to have been made without exciting the slightest alarm in the town. Nor did the detension of Capt. Phillips’ train, at the upper end oftown, attract attention. It was not till the town was thoroughly waked up, and found the bridge guarded by armed men, and a guard situated at all the avenues, t.hat the people found they were prisoners. In the meantime a number of men, knowing nothing of what had occurred, entered the armory and were saccessively taken prisoners, until they had, at one time, not less than 600 men confined in the armory.

Thus these gentlemen were imprisoned in the engine house., which afterward became the chief fortress of the insurgents, and were not released until after the final assault. The workmen were imprisoned in large building fartherdown the yard. This was the condition of affairs at daylight, at which time Cook,"with two white men, accompanied by thirty slaves, taking Col. Washington’s large wagon, went over I the bridge and struck up the mountain toj ward Pennsylvania. ■ An eye witness, who has just returned from Harper’s Ferry, describes the scene there as follows: The first attack was made by a detachment of the Charleston Guards, who crossed the river above Harper’s Ferry and reached the; building when the insurgents were posted by ; canal. On the Maryland side some firing' occurred, and the rioters were driven from the bridge. One man was killed and another arrested. The latter tried to escape by swimming the river, but a dozen shots were fired at him and he partially fell, but got up again and threw his gun away, drew his pis-; tols, both of which snapped, and he then ; drew his knife, cut all the heavy accoutrements off and plunged into the river. One of the soldiers was about ten feet behind. The man turned round threw up his hands, and cried, “don’t shoot.” The soldier fired and the man fell into the water, with his face blown away. His coat ski-ts were cut from his person, and in the pocket I was found a captain’s commission to Capt. F. H. Leeman, from the Provisional GoVfe&rment of the United States. The comrnis® j sion was dated October 15, 1859, and signed iby A- W. Brown, Commander in Chief of 1 the army of the Provisional Government of the United States. A party of five insurgents, armed with minie rifles and pistols, were expelled by the Charleston Guards. They all ran for the river, and one, who was unable to swim, was drowned. The others swam out to the rocks in the middle of the Shenandoah and fired upon the citizens and troops assembled upon both banks.

During the firing the women and children ran shrieking in every direction. Your inforsnant was on the hill when the firing was going on, and the terrible view of a battle passed in reality beneath his eyes. Soldiers could be seen pursuing singly and in couples, and the crack of the musket or rifle was generally followed by one or more of the insurgents biting the dust. Capt. Brown’s wounds consist of a sword cut on the forehead and a bayonet wound in the kidneys. 1 Another of the rioters killed was named ■Stewart Tyler. • Anderson, a ringleader, who stopped conductor Phelps yesterday, was killed during the first attack of the Virginians. A body of forty men left this afternoon for Harper’s ■Ferry. It is reported that many of the rioters have escaped and are secreted in the mountains. A negro named Green, who was Concerned in the fugitive slave riot at Harrisburg some years ago, was among the insurgents. Baltimore, Oct. 19. Several slaves were found in (the Toom with the insurrectionists, but it is not believed they were there willingly; indeed Brown’s expectation as-to the slaves rushing to him was disappointed. None seemed to have come to him willingly, and in most cases wereJorced to desert their masters. But one instance in which the slaves made a public appearance, arms in their hands, is related, A negro who had been sharply used by one of the town people, when he found that he had a pike in his hand used his brief authority to arrest the citizen and take him to the armory. The citizens imprisoned by the insurrectionists all testify to their lenient treatment. They were neither tied nor insulted, and-be-yond the outrage of restricting their liberties, were not ill used. Brown was always courteous to them, and at all times assured them they should not be injured. During the previous night he spoke freely to Col. Washington, and referred to his sons. He said he had lost one in Kansas and two here; he had not pressed them to join him in the expedition, but did not regret their loss—-they had died in a glorious cause. The position of the prisoners in the engine house, during the firing on Monday at the .mon ent of final attack, was a very try<

ing one. Without any of the incentives of combat they had to risk the balls of their friends, but happily they all escaped. During Tuesday morning one of Col. Washington’s negroes came in and reported that Capt. Cook was in the mountains, only three miles off. The Independent Greys of Baltimore immediately started on a scouting expedition, and in two hours returned with two wagons loaded with arms and ammunition found at Capt. Brown’s house. The arms consisted of boxes filled with Sharpe’s rifles, pistols, &.C., bearing stamp ot Massachusetts Manufacturing Company, Chicopee. There were found a quantity of N. J. ammunition, a large number of spears, Sharpe’s iron bowie knives fixed upon poles—a terrible looking weapon, intended for the use of the negroes, with spades, pick axes, shovels, and everything that might be needed, thus proving that the expedition was well provided for; that a large party were expected to be armed, and that abundant means had been provided to meet all expenses. How all these supplies were got up to this farm without attracting observation is strange. They are supposed to have been brought through Pennsylvania. The Greys pursued Cook so fast that they secured part of his arms, but wr h his more personal knowledge of the localities he was enabled to evade them, On their arrival at the armory with their spoil they were greeted with three hearty cheers. The wagons were driven into the custody of the government. As everybody else helped themselves, why should not the Greys have a claim to the sooils! The insurrectionists did not attempt to rob the paymaster’s department at the armory. A large amount of money was there but it was not disturbed. A short time after Capt. B'own was brought out; he talked earnestly to those about him., defending his course, and avowing that he had only done what was right. He replied to the questions put to him substantially as follows: “Are you Capt. Brown of Kansas 1 !'” “I am sometimes called so.” “Are you Ossawattomie Brown!” “I tried to dp my duty there.” “What was your present object!” “To free the slaves from bondage.” “Were any’ person, but those with you now, connected with the movement!” “No.” “Did you expect aid from the North!” “No. There was no one connected with the movement but those who came with me.” “Did you expect to kill people in order to carry your point!” “I did not wish to do so, but you forced me to do it.”

Various questions of this kind were put to Capt. Brown, which he answered clearly and freely, and seemed anxious to vindicate himself. He urged that he iiad the town at his mercy; that he could have burned it, and murdered the inhabitants, but did not. He, spoke of the killing of his two sons, which,' he alledged, was done while th'•y were bearing a flag of truce, and he seemed anxious for the safety of his wounded son. His conversation bore the impress of a conviction that whatever he had done to free ! the slaves was right, and that the warfare in I which he was engaged entitled him to be treated with all respect as a prisoner of war. i He seems fully convinced that he was badly , treated, and had a right to complain. Although thought a dying man, on exam-; ination his wounds have proved to be not necessarily fatal. He expressed a desire to live, and to be tried by his country. In his tpockets were nearly three hundred dollars yn gold; and several important papers, found in his possession, were taken in charge by Col. and on bewail o f (ft e government. Washington, Oct. 19. The President and Secretary of War were together several hours yesterday on matters connected with the proceedings at Harper’s Ferry, the result of which conference was sending U. S. District A torney Ould thither to superintend the legal proceedings in the premises. The excitement which last night existed at vYashington and vicinity has subsided, and the extraordinary force relieved. It is said that the affair fit Harper’s Ferry is the first case of the kind which his ever occurred in this country involving at the saute time both State and Federal jurisdiction. While the State is affected as to slavery and locality, the General Government is interested with regard to the public property, it having exclusive control over the arsenal grounds. Governor Wise will, it is said, claim the prisoners now held by the United States troops, to be dealt with according to the laws of Virginia. In this case the question of jurisdiction will be determined by the Judiciary.

Baltimore, Oct. 19. The following important intelligence has just been received from Harper’s Ferry: Last evening the detachment of marines, accompanied by some of the volunteers, visited Brown’s house. (The first visit was to the school house, and not to Brown’s residence as appeared.) They found * large quantity of blanket-, coats, shoes, tents, and 1500 pikes with large blades attached. They also discovered documents throwing much light on the affair. Among them are a printed constitution and by-laws of the organization, indicating a ramification throughout the various States of the Union. They also found letters from various individuals at the North; one from Fred Douglass, containing $lO for the cause; and one from Gerritt Smith about money matters, and a check or draft by .him for SIOO, indorsed by the cashier oi a New York Bank, whose name is not recollected. All these documents are in the possession of Gov. Wise. The Governor has issued a proclamation offe:ingsloOo reward for the capture of Cook. Large numbers of armed men are now scouring the mountains in pursuit of him. The following is the anonymous letter received by Gov. Floyd, of which mention has been made: “ , August 29, 1859. “Sir—l 1 lave lately received information of a movement of so great importance that I feel it to be my duty to impart it to you without delay. I have-discovered the existence of a secret association, having for its object the liberation of the slaves at the South by a general insurrection. The leader of the movement is uld John Brown, late

of Kansas. He has been in Canada during the winter, drilling the negroes there. They are only waiting for his word to start for the South to assist the slaves. They have one of their leading men, a white man, in the armory in Maryland; where it is situated I have not been able to learn. “As soon as everything is ready those of their number who are in the Northern States and Canada, are to come in small companies to their rendezvous, which is in the mountains of Virginia. They will pass down through Pennsylvania and M iryland, and enter Virginia at Harper’s Ferry. Brown left the South about three or four weeks ago, and will draw the negroes and strike the blow in a few weeks. So that whatever is done, must be done at once. They have a large quantity of arms at their rendezvous, and probably are distributing them | already. As lam not fully in, their confidence, this is all the information I can give you. 1 dare not sign my name to this, but trust that you will not disregard the warning on that account.” Some time during yesterday morning the O’Rielly line repairer, whilst repairing the line between Harper’s Ferry and Martinsburg!), was shot at by Capt. Cook himself, whom he recognized. Harper’s Ferry, Oct. 19. The following is the number of killed and wounded during the recent insurrection: Killed—3 citizens and 13 insurgents; wounded—3 insurgents; prisoners—s insurgents. The prisoners have been committed to Chii'rleston jail to await the action of the Grand Jury, when they will be indicted and tried in a few days. The arrangement about the jurisdiction has been settled in this way: The local authorities are to try the prisoners for murder, and in the meanwhile th„ U. S. authorities will conduct the prosecution on the charge of tre son. Governor Wise said to Mr. Dutel, the District Attorney, that he had no objection to the General Government proceeding against the prisoners, that is what will be left of them by the trial. The Virginia authorities are done with them. Brown is better to-day, and has made a, public statement of his operations. He says that he rented the farm of Kennedy six months ago, and that the rent is paid 'until next March. Ho never had over 22 belonging to the organization at the farm at one time, but says he had good reason to expect reinforcements fr m Maryland, Kentucky, North and South Carolina, and Canada. Brown had provided arms sufficient for 1500 men, including 200 revolvers, 200 Sharpe’s rifles, and 1,000 spears, all of which were left at the farm. He also had an abundance of powder and other ammunition. The arms had been broug t from Connecticut and other eastern points to Chambersburgh, Pa., and were directed to “J. Smith & Sons, Kennedy’s Farm.” They were packed in double boxes, to deceive the parties who handled them on their way to the farm. Brown says he made a mistake in detaining the train on Sunday night. This mistake, he infers, exposed his doings to soon, and prevented his reinforcements from coming.