William Preston Smith to General William B. Taliaferro, et al, December 1, 1859

Baltimore, December 1st, 1859–9.55 P. M.

General Taliaferro, Hon. A. Hunter,} Charlestown.
A. P. Shutt, A. Diffey,} Harper's Ferry.

As there will probably be very large numbers of troops, besides other passengers, who may come down from Harper's Ferry to Baltimore and Washington, by our road, on tomorrow afternoon and Saturday, it is highly important for us to know at the very earliest moment their probable number, so as to make the necessary provision for their prompt and safe transportation.

We desire to know, therefore, something of the wishes and

intentions of the authorities respecting the return of troops and munitions It may be necessary to run an extra train on Friday afternoon, leaving Harper's Ferry for Baltimore and Washington, about two or three o'clock, which can be done, if we get proper notice.

W.P SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 71-2

William Preston Smith to A. Diffey, December 2, 1859

Baltimore, Dec. 2, 1859.

A. Diffey:
        Martinsburg.

I am going to Philadelphia at-ten to-morrow, to return on Sunday. Confer fully with Mr. England and Mr. Shutt, as to movements requisite for proper return of troops.

We must close this campaign as we begun it, without accidents or delays. We send an extra to Washington on Sunday morning for travel from West by Express, and it may be useful also in taking troops, if so required.

Don't let Mail East be kept out of making connections to-morrow — run an extra from Ferry on Mail time if necessary.

W. P. Smith

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 73

A. P. Shutt to A. Diffey, December 3, 1859

December 3, 1859.

A. Diffey:

Two hundred and fifty troops are here from Charlestown to go East. Can't you send Engine immediately? The Commander failed to give me the notice he promised.

A. P. SHUTT.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 75

A. P. Shutt to A. Diffey, December 3, 1859—10 p.m.

Dec. 3, 1859, 10 o'clock, P. M.

A. Diffey :

I have this moment received a dispatch from Gen. Taliaferro, stating he will require transportation for two hundred and ten men by the train 4, A, M., Monday morning. Please arrange to have Engine here, and two or three cars. I have asked him at what time he will have them leave Charlestown to-morrow. I have not received his answer yet.

A. P. SHUTT.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 76

A. Diffey to William Preston Smith, November 30, 1859–11.54 p.m.

Harper's Ferry, November 30th, 1859–11.54 P. M.

W. P. Smith.

Government troops arrived here on mail train time, numbering two hundred and sixty-four (264) men. Special train left here for Baltimore at 9.25, running on mail train time, east. Fine looking set of men, Col. Lee in command.

A. DIFFEY.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 69

William Preston Smith to A. Diffey, December 1, 1859—9:11 p.m.

Baltimore, December 1st, 1859–9.11 P. M.

A. Diffey, Harper's Ferry, or beyond.

It is not improbable that we shall find it necessary to run a special train for passengers, including some returning troops, on to-morrow, leaving Harper's Ferry for Baltimore, about three o'clock, and running, if necesssry, to Washington, to accommodate the Eastern Virginia troops. I have telegraphed Gen'l Taliaferro and Mr. Hunter, asking them to advise us at the earliest moment of the probable number of troops there may be returning on to-morrow and Saturday, to enable us properly to provide for their prompt and safe transportation.

I think of sending up an extra engine and empty cars on Mail train in morning, to bring back the first division of the returning army.

W.P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 70

William Preston Smith to Oliver Hoblitzell, November 29, 1859—5:26 p.m.

Cumberland, Nov. 29th, 1859–5.26 P. M.

O. Hoblitzell,

Get Mr. England and go with him to see the President on his return, who will give my instructions about passengers for Baltimore for the main stem, verbally. Give Mr. Parsons same directions after seeing the President, as above. I will see Mr. Ford who will see Barry and McCaffrey. Tell the President I have arranged with Mr. Diffey to go out from Baltimore on both Western trains on Thursday. Give him a copy of my dispatch to Perham.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 60

Oliver Hoblitzell to William Preston Smith, November 29,1859—8 p.m.

Baltimore, Nov. 29, 1859-8 P. M.

W. P. Smith,

        Cumberland:

Your's received and acted upon.

Col. Lee has decided to take all the troops (252) to Harper's Ferry, and will command them himself. Will send soldiers on first train with orders for it to flag the second and run on prompt mail time.

Will not have any emigrants, and have no notice of troops from Washington, but will look out for this. Will agents, &c., be notified of this train by yourself, or Mr. Diffey, or shall I do so?

O. HOBLIT ZELL.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 61

William Preston Smith to Oliver Hoblitzell, November 29, 1859—9:05 p.m.

Cumberland, November 29th, 1859–9.05 P. M.

O. Hoblitzell.

Mr. Diffey, will be at the Ferry and give the necessary orders for running the train with the troops to-morrow.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 62

A. Diffy to William Preston Smith, November 28, 1859—1:25 p.m.

Harper's Ferry, Nov. 28th, 1859–1.25 P. M.

W. P. Smith:

Special and mail trains West arrived here on time. Eight cars of soldiers, with our Ferry engine, have gone to Charlestown,

Special train will leave here for Baltimore about 2.30 this P. M.

A. DIFFEY.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 55

F. Mantz to William Preston Smith, November 27, 1859 7:25 p.m.

Monocacy, November 27th, 1859–7.25 P. M.

W. P. Smith

Mr. Diffey left this station at 6.45 bound East with the extra train, that took the troops to Charlestown to-day; and will run regardless of any extra train that may leave Baltimore tonight.

F. MANTZ.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 54

Alexander Diffey to William Preston Smith, November 24, 1859—11:15 p.m.

Martinsburg, Nov. 24th, 1859—11.15 P. M.

W. P. Smith:

Was there a dispatch sent by you to Harper's Ferry, on Sunday evening, to this effect: "Conductors of all trains will pass James Post, the bearer of this dispatch, until December 1st, free of charge, and give him every facility and attention possible in furthering his important object.” Answer.

A. DIFFEY.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 49

William Preston Smith to Alexander Diffey, November 24, 1859

Baltimore, Nov. 24th, 1859.

A. Diffey, Martinsburg:

I did send such a dispatch in response to request of Col. Davis, who telegraphed me to do so without delay. To prevent doubt as to genuineness of the authority, will you either endorse the dispatch he bears with your own name and handwriting as correct, or get Capt. Gorton to do so? Have you any more rumors of approaching rescuers?

W. P. SMITH.

One hundred more Richmond troops will go from Relay to Charlestown on mail to-morrow.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 50

A. P. Shutt to A. Diffey, October 19, 1859

Harper's Ferry, October 19th, 1859.

A. Diffey,

        Martinsburg

It is reported to me that the Tonnage train men on the front engine, last night, bound East, fired on the Guard at Sandy Hook. Please notify them that there will be a guard from the East end of the Bridge, to Water Station at Sandy Hook, nightly, until further notice.

A. P. SHUTT.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 26

A. Diffey to William Preston Smith, October 17,1859

From Martinsburg via Wheeling.

October 17th, 1859.

W. P. Smith, Baltimore:

A body of armed men have taken possession of the Armory at Harper's Ferry, and have planted guns in our bridge. They have stopped all our trains, tonnage and mail trains east are all west of the bridge, the telegraph wires are cut, no communication east. A body of armed men are getting ready to leave here at once to clear the bridge, that our trains can pass. Great excitement all through the neighborhood.

A. DIFFEY.

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