William Preston Smith to L. M. Cole, October 17, 1859—5:31 p.m.

Ellicott Mills, 5.31, P. M., October 17th, 1859.

L. M. Cole.

Keep mail in morning until troops from Norfolk connect. They will number about one hundred and twenty. Get military to guard cars, to keep outsiders off.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 16