To the Baltimore Newspaper Press, October 17, 1859

Frederick, Oct. 17.

To the Baltimore Newspaper Press:

Information has been received here this morning of a formidable negro insurrection at Harper's Ferry. An armed band of abolitionists have full possession of Harper's Ferry and the United States Arsenal. One of the railroad hands, a negro, was killed whilst trying to get the express train, from Wheeling for Baltimore, through the town.

They have arrested two men who came in with a load of wheat, and took their wagon and loaded it with rifles, and sent them into Maryland. They are led by about two hundred and fifty whites, with a gang of negroes fighting for their freedom. They gave Conductor Phelps notice that they would not allow any more trains to pass.

The telegraph wires are cut east and west of Harper's Ferry. This intelligence was brought by the train from the West. Great excitement here. The leader told Conductor Phelps, of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad train, that they “were determined to have liberty, or die in the attempt.”

Their object in stopping further trains is to save bloodshed by preventing the arrival of troops. One of the passengers was interrogated by them for half an hour.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 6-7