William Preston Smith to John W. Garrett, October 26,1859—10:05 p.m.

H. Ferry, Oct. 26th, 1859—10.05 P. M.

J. W. Garrett:

Arrived here nearly on time. Only fourteen of Captain Sinns' company, with himself, were ready to join us at Monocacy, but they came up. The rest of the company will be up in the morning. There is a strong guard on duty and I am ordered to "halt" at all points as I move about in the storm and darkness. The bridge is fully looked after, and there seems to be a ready force at hand for emergencies. The feeling of uncertain dread is very strong, and there surely ought to be a full and well organized reliance to restore confidence. Barbour is at his house and wont come on duty to-night. The storm is very violent, a flooding rain and large hail with strong wind and vivid lightning,

Barbour has received advices from Washington that marines will be sent up again to-morrow if necessary. Shutt says the Charlestown Jail is guarded by some fifty men, but whether their organization is efficient is not known.

W. P. SMITH,

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 37

William Preston Smith to John W. Garrett, October 27, 1859—10:25 a.m.

Monocacy, Oct. 27th, 1859—10.25 A. M.

J. W. Garrett:

Just returned from Ferry on way train, and am going into Frederick on arrival of mail from Baltimore. Very full trains of way passengers to State Fair this morning, in both directions.

Barbour's advices are undoubtedly from a reliable source —— an officer of the army. Brown's whole effort now seems to be to get a delay in the trials, and he is feigning sickness as one reason for this. He expects counsel too from a distance. The most sensible provision they appear to have made at Charlestown is that the prisoners shall be instantly shot upon any serious attempt at a rescue, or any probable success in an escape. Capt. Sinn says he and his men will not leave the scene until Brown is hung or shot, without you or Gov. Hicks so direct.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 38

Captain John T. Sinn to John W. Garrett, October 27, 1859—8:50 p.m.

Harper's Ferry, October 27, 1859—8.50 P. M.

To J. W. Garrett.

Dear Sir.-I am here with my Company awaiting your orders, let me hear from you.

JOHN T. SINN,

Captain United Guards.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 36