John W. Garrett to William A. Gorton

William A. Gorton,
        Martinsburg:

Citizens of Baltimore, of entire respectability, who personally know Messrs. James B. Glassford, J. W. Vansant and J. L. Collins, who were arrested on Express train at 2.50 this A. M., assure me reliably, that these gentlemen are business men on their way to Baltimore in prosecution of their legitimate affairs. They have through-tickets and intended to come directly to Baltimore. Such arrests are calculated to do great injury to our Company, without benefitting our Virginia friends. I yesterday visited Harper's-Ferry and arranged fully with Mr. Hunter, regarding all precautions desired on our trains. I have communicated the arrangements to Gov. Wise, who telegraphs me his cordial approval.

You will therefore communicate this dispatch to the officer in command. I trust he will instantly order the release of these passengers, so that they may come to Baltimore on first train. Telegraph reply promptly.

JOHN W. GARRETT,        

President.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 65

Governor Henry A. Wise to John W. Garrett, November 29, 1859

Richmond, November 29, 1859.

John W. Garrett.

Please accept thanks with my approbation of your arrangements. I see nothing more to be done.

HENRY A. WISE.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 65

William Preston Smith to John T. Quynn, November 30, 1859—2:20 p.m.

Baltimore, Nov. 30, 1859—2.20 P. M.

J. T. Quynn,
        Frederick.

Gov. Wise, of Virginia, has desired us to sell no tickets to Harper's Ferry, by our trains of to-morrow, Thursday, December 1st, and as we are anxious to avoid any trouble in connection with the execution at Charlestown, you are hereby instructed not to sell tickets to the Ferry on the day named. Of course, if any citizen of Frederick or vicinity, of known character, wishes to go, you can give necessary orders for the sale of tickets. It will, however, be unsafe for persons to go there as the authorities have given orders for arrest of all parties, strangers, and not bearing papers vouching for them. Answer.

W. P. SMITH,

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 65

William Preston Smith to J. B. Ford, November 30, 1859

Cumberland, November 30, 1859.

J. B. Ford,
        Wheeling.

Company has agreed with Hon. A. Hunter, representing Governor of Virginia, that all male passengers who leave Wheeling, Benwood, or Moundsville, on mail to-night, and the trains for to-morrow and to-morrow night for points near Harper's Ferry, must bear your written certificate that they are known to you or the Agents at M. and B. as responsible persons travelling, on legitimate pursuits. These permits must not exceed sixty in all, and are not to be required of the legitimate through travel to the East, or parties who may bear the State's authority.

This matter must be looked to very carefully and thoroughly, as all who are not properly provided, are liable to arrest and imprisonment on attempting to stop at Martinsburg or Harper's Ferry during the present excitement. Your own signature must be appended to all

Direct conductors to telegraph me at length, on line or at Baltimore, from several points.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 66-7

George W. Mumford to John W. Garrett, November 28, 1859

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,        

Richmond, 28th Nov., 1859.

J. W. Garrett, Esq.,
        President, &c.

From information in the possession of the Governor, of a contemplated attempt to rescue the prisoners condemned to death at Charlestown, he has deemed it proper to issue a proclamation taking possession of the Winchester and Potomac Railroad, on the first, second and third days of December next, and it will be held under impressment, with a guard, for the use and occupation of Virginia troops alone, and no transportation will be permitted other than for them. Under these circumstances, he requests me to suggest to you, as President of the Balt. & Ohio Railroad Company, the propriety of stopping all trains on your road on the first and second of December, other than for carrying the United States mail. Passengers coming through Virginia on those days will not be permitted to pass. Major General Taliaferro, in command at Charlestown, has orders to this effect.

GEO. W. MUMFORD, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

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

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 21, 1859

Baltimore, Nov. 21st, 1859.

To A. P. Shutt,

        Harper's Ferry:

The Petersburg troops with Artillery are on our Mail West, which has eleven cars, leaving Relay but ten minutes late. Troops number nearly 200. Get copy to-day's American from train and mark it for Gov. Wise with my respects. The leading editorial seems to represent his views at length.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 47

A. P. Shutt to William Preston Smith, November 21, 1859

November 21, 1859.

To W. P. Smith,
        Monocacy.

All has quited down here. We have a company of sixty men from Richmond here, seventy-five of the same troops was detached for duty at Martinsburg, by Gov. Wise; I sent them on by Express last night. I will keep account and report to you of services rendered. The Trains all pass here, near or on time. We have all the people of the town at the Station, on the arrival of the trains, but very orderly. Charlestown at this time is quite a military post and can make quite a respectable show of Virginia troops.

A. P. SHUTT.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 47

William Preston Smith to Governor Henry A. Wise, November 21, 1859—6 p.m.

Baltimore, Nov. 21st, 1859–6 o'clock P. M.

Hon. Henry A. Wise,

        Governor of Virginia,
                Charlestown, Va.

Our President, Mr. Garrett, requests me to advise you of his regret at the double annoyance of failing to receive the message, which you intended for him, and his inability, on that account, either to get us to make the necessary preparations for you, or to meet you in person at the Junction, as he would gladly have done. The missing dispatch has not even yet come to hand, and we have inquired very fully, though have been unable to learn where the delinquency rests. The President suggests that you should be advised of this, in order that you may cause the failure to be traced, with a view more particularly to preventing future omissions in the same quarter, which may prove even more embarrassing than this.

W. P. SMITH,                

Master Transportation,        

B. & O. R. R.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 47-8

William Preston Smith to A. P. Shutt, November 22, 1859—8 a.m.

Baltimore, Nov. 22d, 1859—8 o'clock A. M.

A. P. Shutt,

        Harper's Ferry:

Please advise me promptly when any troops leave Harper's Ferry, so that we may provide for their accommodation from Relay to Washington. I send package on mail train for Gov. Wise to your care.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 48

A. P. Shutt to William Preston Smith, November 22, 1859—8:52 a.m.

Harper's Ferry, Nov. 22d, 1859–8.52 A. M.

W. P. Smith:

All is quiet here. Gov. Wise has ordered back the Petersburg and Richmond troops. One hundred and fifty I sent on the express this morning, and one hundred go on a special train to Charlestown this morning to bring three hundred here, and with the two hundred left over will arrange to send on mail train. He dispatched me last evening to make arrangements to have them connect with the 4 P. M. train to Richmond. I will have cars here for the troops from Charlestown, but have telegraphed Mr. England to send four cars on the mail West to-day.

I would suggest you inform them in Washington of the troops departure from here.

A. P. SHUTT.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 48

A. P. Shutt to William Preston Smith, November 22, 1859—1:23 p.m.

Harper's Ferry, Nov. 22d, 1859—1.23 P. M.

W. P. Smith:

One hundred troops left on mail for Richmond. When I arrived at Charlestown Gov. Wise had countermanded his order of last evening, and intends to keep the troops for the present stationed, here and at Harper's Ferry. I delivered your package to the Governor.

I understand from Mr. Barbour that the Governor has some important information. You shall hear from me if there is anything of interest.

A. P. SHUTT.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 48-9

William Preston Smith to John Donohoo or A. P. Shutt, November 20, 1859—2:05 p.m.

Baltimore, Nov, 20, 1859.-2.05 P. M.

To John Donohoo, or
        A. P. Shutt, Harper's Ferry:

Train left Washington Junction at 12.50 with Gov. Wise and 400 troops. Have yard Engine fixed up and men ready to take train to Charlestown. Our other engines are too heavy to run on Winchester road.

Report fully to me of their arrival and departure, and any other matters of interest.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 43

A. P. Shutt to William Preston Smith, November 20, 1859

Harper's Ferry, Nov. 20th.

Wm. P. Smith,
        Master Transportation,
                Camden Station.

The train with Gov. Wise and troops has arrived this 4.25 P. M.; and left for Charlestown, this 5 P. M. The Governor must be in possession of information—we have not—to justify him in sending so large a number of troops here. All is quiet about here, and I have not the least apprehension of trouble now; I shall keep a lookout, and report matters of interest. Two hundred of the troops are detached for this place.

A. P. SHUTT.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October 1859, p. 43

William Preston Smith to A. P. Shutt, November 20, 1859—5 p.m.

Baltimore, Nov. 20, 1859—5, P. M.

To A. P. Shutt,
        Harper's Ferry.

Your dispatches received. I had a full interview with Gov. Wise at Relay. He has reliable information he says, satisfying him that a concerted effort is on foot to attempt a rescue, but he does not believe any movement of men in a body will be made for this. He thinks the attempt may be entirely abandoned in the face of the extensive arrangements making for a defence. He thinks, too, that the drilling, the knowledge of guard duty and the general use of arms, which the Virginians will receive, will more than pay the expense of the large military force he is calling out, and that it is better to show the country that five or fifty times too many men are constantly ready to repel invasion, than not enough. This looks right.

I want you to take measures at once, to break up the exhibition and sale to passengers on our trains, at Harper's Ferry, of the pikes, or other weapons. Remember that the entire trestlework and road bed is ours as well as the bridge, and we can forbid any nuisance of whatever sort. I think this pike trade only adds to the excitement, and it is certainly against our rules to allow any peddling there. Give the Virginia authorities every possible attention and facility in all things, merely keeping an account of service rendered by the Company, and returning it to A car-load of provisions will be sent up on special train to-morrow. Ask the Col. who went up to-day, whether he wants the car taken to Charlestown. It was ordered by Gov. Wise, through him.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 43-4

William Preston Smith to Governor Thomas H. Hicks, November 21, 1859—7 a.m.

Baltimore, November 21st, 1859–7 A. M.

Hon. Thos. Holliday Hicks,
        Governor of Maryland,
                Annapolis.

Sir.—The President of this Company desires me to advise you at the earliest moment, that the various indications and rumors, relative to the proposed rescue of the State prisoners at Charlestown, has induced the Governor of Virginia to assemble a force of more than one thousand armed volunteers in that vicinity, as a measure of precaution; and that in view of the continued alarm among the residents of our State, opposite Harper's Ferry, it has been suggested that you may determine to renew the guard there, until the excitement shall subside and confidence be restored.

Capt. Sinn of the United Guards, Frederick, has offered the services of that Corps, but we have thought it best, under all circumstances, to refer the matter entirely to your Excellency.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. P. SMITH, M. of T.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 44-5

A. P. Shutt to William Preston Smith, November 21, 1859—9:20 a.m.

Harper's Ferry, Nov. 21st, 1859—9.20 A, M.

W. P. Smith:

All is quiet here. The troops—one hundred and seventy-that remain here are quartered in the Armory building. Arrangements have been made for them to meal at the different hotels. All was satisfactory to them. I will see to your instructions, and see that they are enforced. The citizens are pleased to have the military here, and feel comfortable with the arrangements. Gov. Wise is at Charlestown with the troops that left here last evening. Will arrange with the commanding officer here respecting the car of provisions expected on mail to-day.

A. P. SHUTT.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 45

A. P. Shutt to William Preston Smith, November 21, 1859—2:02 p.m.

Harper's Ferry, Nov. 21st, 1859—2.02 P. M.

W. P. Smith:

Gov. Wise has ordered the return of all the troops that arrived here this morning, except thirty-five—one company with two pieces of artillery. Mr. Donohoo has gone to Charlestown on special train with them. I will arrange to send the others East on express or mail in the morning, as they may decide.

A. P. SHUTT.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 45

William Preston Smith to Governor Henry A. Wise, November 21, 1859

Baltimore, Nov. 21st, 1859.

Hon. Henry A. Wise,
        Governor of Virginia,
                Charlestown, Va.

The telegraphic agents of Associated Press sent your remarks, as reported in to-day's Baltimore American, which I sent you, to the entire Eastern and I believe, the Southern press.

I send you New York papers by morning train to-morrow. Our agents at Wheeling, Benwood and Moundsville have all made full and diligent inquiry, and report by telegraph to-night, that so far they have seen nothing of suspicious men, or other indications of a gathering to rescue the prisoners.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 46

William H. Richardson to John W. Garrett, November 9, 1859

ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,        

Richmond, Va., 9th November, 1859.

John W. Garrett, Esq.,
        President of the B. & O. R. R. Co.

We are sending off public arms to different points for protection—some of them via steamer to Baltimore, to go thence by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. May I ask your particular attention to having them forwarded with all possible dispatch, and that there may be no delay by reason of non-payment of freight in advance, as we cannot provide for it in all cases? The Governor will promptly pay all charges upon your certificate.

W. H. RICHARDSON,        

Adjutant General.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 39-40