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

William Preston Smith to J. T. England, December 1, 1859—8:45 p.m.

Baltimore, December 1st, 1859–8.45 P. M.

J. T. England, Camden Station.

Have you an extra engine and ten large passenger cars ready, to follow Mail train in morning to Harper's Ferry, to return first installment of military and citizens to Baltimore and Washington. Have telegraphed Gen'l Taliaferro and Mr. Hunter, to advise me at first possible moment, probable number of men to be returned both to-morrow and Saturday.

Let Mail proper go out first in the morning, with only four passenger cars.

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

A. P. Shutt to J. T. England, November 21, 1859

Harper's Ferry, November 21, 1859.

J. T. England,
        Agent, Camden Station.

Send on mail train in the morning four extra cars to take the troops 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. 46

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