William Preston Smith to Oliver Hoblitzell, November 30th, 1859—7:35 p.m.

Newburg, November 30th, 1859—7.35 P. M.

O. Hoblitzell.

If press at Baltimore does not fully understand that we are not responsible for event of last night, explain to the morning papers and Mr. Alexander Fulton, that it was an exceptionable case and that the parties were specifically telegraphed about from Ohio to commanding officers as “suspicious,” by detectives employed by State authorities of Virginia.

W. P. SMITH.

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

William Preston Smith to Oliver Hoblitzell, November 29, 1859—9:15 p.m.

Cumberland, November 29th, 1859–9.15 P. M.

O. Hoblitzell.

New York and other Eastern papers of yesterday, contain Associated dispatch, dated Baltimore, and sent, I suppose, by Alexander Fulton, American Building, who is their Baltimore Agent.

It stated that all the trains of our road were entered by armed men, and the passengers subjected to scrutiny in search of suspicious persons. I want you to see Mr. Fulton to-night, in person, or send him this dispatch at once, assuring him in my name, that the statement is untrue, and is calculated at the same time to seriously interfere with the through passenger business of our road. Ask him if he will not, in justice to us, send a general dispatch in all directions to-night, to the effect, that no such invasion of our cars or annoyance to passengers, is practised or permitted. Tell him to mention at the same time, that the Company, acting under the advice of the Virginia authorities, has arranged to take no passengers to the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, at the time of the executions, except such as are believed to be traveling for legitimate objects.

Tell Fulton, also, that the report of troops being fired on at points of our road last night, is entirely unauthentic.

W. P. SMITH.

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

Alexander Fulton, October 18, 1859—12 a.m.

12 midnight, October 18th.

Fulton:

Town taken possession of by companies from Charlestown, Shepherdstown, Va., and from Frederick; riotors are intrenched in Armory; hold Mr. Washington and Mr. Dangerfield as prisoners; insurgents are commanded by Capt. Brown of Kansas notoriety, numbered originally 17 white men, 5 negroes. Several have been shot, 2 Martinsburg company shot dead, whilst charging in Armory. A portion of insurgents have left under command of Cook with large party slaves supposed to be moving toward Pennsylvania. Allen Stevens, one insurgent, is lying dying here, shot through the breast; he is from Connecticut, but has been in Kansas. Says whole scheme was got up by Brown who represented that negroes would rise by thousands, and Maryland and Virginia be made free States. Col. Shriver, Frederick, just had interview with Brown in Armory. He asked to be allowed to march out with his men and armed; states his intention to defend himself to the last—they are very strongly posted in the Engine House, and firearms cannot be used against them, for fear of injuring prisoners, they still hold. Sixteen persons are known to have been killed. Fountain Beckham, railroad agent, was shot dead by Armory murderers, 3 rioters lying dead under bridge, shot by Shepherdstown troops in charge on the bridge. Capt. Cook, who is second in command rioters, is said to be posted in school house, 4 miles distant, with large body runaway slaves. Armory taken possession of about 9 last night; and was so quietly done, citizens knew nothing of it till train was stopped. Col. Lee has arrived; there are abundant troops here to capture rioters. It seems perfectly certain that original party consisted of not more than 20 white men, and 5 free negroes. Capt. Brown has been about here and rented a farm 4 miles off which was the rendezvous of rioters; Capt. Cook has also lived about here and at one time taught school; all the other white men are unknown, supposed however to be men who have been connected with Brown in Kansas. Reported that certain rioters have carried off considerable amount Government funds. No attempt made to pillage town or insult females. Capt. Brown claims easy terms, on account of his moderation.

FULTON.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 19