William Preston Smith to John W. Garrett, October 26,1859—10:05 p.m.

H. Ferry, Oct. 26th, 1859—10.05 P. M.

J. W. Garrett:

Arrived here nearly on time. Only fourteen of Captain Sinns' company, with himself, were ready to join us at Monocacy, but they came up. The rest of the company will be up in the morning. There is a strong guard on duty and I am ordered to "halt" at all points as I move about in the storm and darkness. The bridge is fully looked after, and there seems to be a ready force at hand for emergencies. The feeling of uncertain dread is very strong, and there surely ought to be a full and well organized reliance to restore confidence. Barbour is at his house and wont come on duty to-night. The storm is very violent, a flooding rain and large hail with strong wind and vivid lightning,

Barbour has received advices from Washington that marines will be sent up again to-morrow if necessary. Shutt says the Charlestown Jail is guarded by some fifty men, but whether their organization is efficient is not known.

W. P. SMITH,

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 37