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 Major-General William B. Taliaferro, December 2, 1859

Harper's Ferry, Dec. 2, 1859.

Gen Taliaferro:

We are desirous to know the number of troops that will leave Charlestown Saturday or Sunday. If any we have a train of ten cars here at your disposal to take troops east at a word's notice which we will require as the engine has to be brought from Martinsburg. Please give me the necessary notice at all times.

A. P. SHUTT,        

Special Agent.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 74

A. P. Shutt to William Preston Smith, December 3, 1859

December 3, 1859.

W. P. Smith:

Two hundred and fifty troops will leave Harper's Ferry on special Train to-day for Richmond, on Mail Train time East—we have them all in the cars waiting for Engine from Martinsburg.

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

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 Major-General William B. Taliaferro, December 3, 1859

Decembr 3, 1859.

Gen. Taliaferro:

Please inform me if you will send any troops by our road before Monday, and if so, the number, as I am desirous to arrange for them, not being informed this morning of the departure of troops for the east has caused a delay of the transportation of them from here.

A. P. SHUTT. Special Agent, B. & O. R. R.

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

A. P. Shutt to Major-General William B. Taliaferro, December 3, 1859

December 3, 1859.

Gen. Taliaferro:

I received no notice of the troops coming to-day until their ar. rival here, the detention was one hour and fifteen minutes. I will arrange for the transportation of two hundred and ten men tomorrow, to connect with the train Monday, 4 o'clock, A. M., that leaves Baltimore for Richmond. Please inform me at what hour to-morrow, Sunday, you will have them leave Charlestown.

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. 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

William Preston Smith to A. P. Shutt, December 3, 1859

Baltimore, Dec. 3, 1859.

A. P. Shutt:

        Harper's Ferry.

We think in view of the excitement still prevailing at Harper's Ferry, and vicinity, and of the possibility of the authorities of Virginia having occasion to consult with you at any moment, that they would not be satisfied for you to be out of reach tomorrow.

Under the circumstances, therefore, we should prefer not to give them any cause of complaint by your leaving at this time. We hope to be able to relieve you entirely in a few days.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 77

A. P. Shutt to Colonel J. Lucius Davis, December 4, 1859

December 4, 1859.

J. L. Davis, Q. M. Gen.:

We will send a train to Charlestown this (Sunday) at 4 P. M., to transport two hundred and twenty-five troops to Richmond, to have them connect with the early train South in the morning.

A. P. SHUTT, Special Agent, Harper's Ferry.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 77

A. P. Shutt to Oliver Hoblitzell, November 30, 1859–11.39 p.m.

Harper's Ferry, November 30th, 1859–11.39 P. M.

O. Hoblitzell.

Please say to Mr. Garrett, that I have made arrangements with Captain Moore of the command here, to have a guard stationed hereafter, and no one but passengers getting off and on the trains, will be allowed on the Trestle. Captain Moore will inform the commander at Charlestown of the visit here of the wife and friends of Brown, and whatever arrangements they make will be done by his authority.

A. P. SHUTT.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 68-9

A. P. Shutt to William Preston Smith, December 1, 1859—2 p.m.

December 1—2. P. M.

To W. P. Smith.

Several passengers for this station, on Mail East. They were refused to be taken on the Winchester Road, whose train was sent down in charge of a guard, by order of the commander at Charlestown.

It will be impossible for strangers to go on that road; and I would suggest keeping back all, unless they come vouched for. Col. Lee had a guard of seven men on the Bridge, at the Maryland end, last night, and it will be kept up to aid our own watchman Mrs. Brown has been permitted to go to see her husband alone, after delay. Your editorial friend from Cincinnati, will go over to Charlestown with Mr. Barbour.

A. P. SHUTT.

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 A. Diffey & A. P. Shutt, December 1, 1859

Baltimore, December 1st, 1859.

A. Diffey,
A. P. Shutt,
        Harper's Ferry, Va.

Have sent extra engine and ten passenger cars with one baggage car to Harper's Ferry, behind Mail, in charge of Conductor Walters, Hussell, Engineman.

As we will certainly need them, possibly this P. M., they must be put in siding at Ferry, and engine may go to Martinsburg, if not wanted early to-day. Should any great number of citizens, editors or others, earnestly desire an earlier return than Express time in morning we may run an extra from Ferry at a proper hour this afternoon or evening. I am anxious to learn, if possible, about how many troops will leave on return to-morrow, and if any on Sunday, to make suitable provision for them.

W. P. SMITH.

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

William Preston Smith to A. P. Shutt, November 29, 1859

Cumberland, Nov. 29, 1859.

A. P. Shutt,
        Harper's Ferry.

Did you take the gentlemen to Charlestown, to-day? Did they see the prisoners? Have the private car cared for while they may be absent from it, or it may be entered and robbed. Tell the Agent of the Winchester Company they can have the use of the two passenger cars we left at Harper's Ferry to-day, if they require them until Saturday morning next. Explain this to Mr. Donohoo.

Col. Lee with 250 U. S. troops from Fortress Munroe, leave Baltimore by special train, Mail time to-morrow, as a further protection to government property at Ferry.

Telegraph me fully here, to-night, if anything of interest is on foot. Tell all newspaper men reports of our trains being invaded generally by armed men are untrue. I expect to be down on Express train to-morrow night and would like to see you as I pass. It is important that our telegraph office and its business should be much more private than it is. All idlers or others not having business there must be kept out, and if necessary ask Capt. Barton, or some State officer to post sentinels there.

W.P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 59-60

A. P. Shutt to William Preston Smith November 26, 1859—12:27 p.m.

Harper's Ferry, Nov. 26th, 1859–12.27 P. M.

W, P. Smith,

A company of Cadets will be in Alexandria in the morning at 31 A. M. Can there be a special train on Sunday morning, to take them? they have ninety men and two howitzers. It is a particular desire of Col. Barbour.

A. P. SHUTT.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 52

William Preston Smith to A. P. Shutt, November 26, 1859—12:40 p.m.

Baltimore, Nov. 26th, 1859—12.40 P. M.

A. P. Shutt, Harper's Ferry:

If the State authorities, Gen. Taliaferro, or the Governor, or their authorized representatives require it, we will run any engine on the road, at any hour possible, but we do not expect to run extra trains, otherwise, for any purpose to-morrow. Ask Mr. Barbour to get the requisition, made officially.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 52

William Preston Smith to A. P Shutt, November 26, 1859—12:45 p.m.

Baltimore, Nov. 26th, 1859–12.45 P. M.

A. P. Shutt, Harper's Ferry:

About one hundred men, from Richmond, go to Ferry on Express this P. M, and a corps will leave Wheeling on Express today, for Charlestown, via Ferry. Are you likely to have fight to-night or 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. 52

A. P. Shutt to William Preston Smith, November 26,1859—8:55 p.m.

Harper's Ferry, Nov. 26th, 1859–8.55 P. M.

W. P. Smith,

Gen. W. B. Taliaferro is desirous to have the Cadets to come up on a special train in the morning. The following is a copy of the message, viz:

Charlestown, Nov. 26.

A. P. Shutt,

Cadets must come up to-morrow, if possible, furnish them an extra train. The Armory Band, from Richmond, will come also.

W. B. TALIAFERRO,

Maj. Gen. commanding.

Please arrange for them. Answer to-night.

A. P. SHUTT.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 53

A. P. Shutt to William Preston Smith, November 28, 1859—8:08 a.m.

Harper's Ferry, November 28th, 1859–8.08 A. M.

W. P. Smith

All is quiet here. The Wheeling troops arrived this morning on Express—seventy-six men. Will send them to Charlestown with the Cadets, that will arrive here on Mail train time this A. M. I shall go with them. I will inform you when it is likely there will be a battle, for I want you to be present.

A. P. SHUTT.

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

A. P. Shutt to William Preston Smith, November 28, 1859—10:46 a.m.

Harper's Ferry, November 28th, 1859—10.46 A. M.

W. P. Smith,

All is quiet. Troops still arriving—twenty-eight from Wheeling on Express, and nineteen on Express West. One of the Wheeling members fell from the train at Brady's Mill. Col. Wheat left a detachment to look to him, and found him not seriously hurt. We sent all the troops to Charlestown, that came on special train, including the 75 from Wheeling making in all about three hundred. The arrivals last night brought as volunteers Mr. C. W. Russell, our Virginia counsel, and O. Jennings Wise, son of the Governor.

A. P. SHUTT.

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