J. B. Ford to William Preston Smith, December 1, 1859—10:58 a.m.

Wheeling, December 1st, 1859—10.58 A. M.

W. P. Smith.

Received your message in relation to certificates for passengers other than the legitimate through and local travel, or those bearing the State authority, for Mail, last night and to-night.

J. B. FORD.

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 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

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

J. B. Ford to William Preston Smith, November 25, 1859—12:08 p.m.

Wheeling, Nov. 26th, 1859–12.08 noon.

W. P. Smith,

The military have concluded to go on the Express this morning leaving part of their company to go on Express, to-morrow. Arrangements for running Mail train East, to-night, will not, therefore be necessary.

J. B. FORD.

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

J. B. Ford to William Preston Smith, November 27, 1859—8:37 a.m.

Wheeling, Nov. 27th, 1859–8.37 A. M.

W. P. Smith,

Has Gen. Taliaferro arranged for transportation of troops with: out pre-payment? One hundred men leave here on Express, today, if they can be ready in time. If not, can we run a train on Mail time, to-night, to accommodate them? Please answer quick.

J. B. FORD

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

William Preston Smith to J. B. Ford, November 27, 1859

Baltimore, November 27th, 1859.

J. B. Ford,
        Wheeling.

Arrange at any time for the prompt transportation, either of troops, equipments or ammunition, without saying anything about the pay.

That has been agreed upon with the authorities of Virginia. Keep an accurate memorandum of all we do in this way, and return it to us at the close of the campaign.

W. P. SMITH.

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