Maj. Gen. Geo. H. Steuart,
Sir: — It is my duty to inform you forth with that an insurrection is in progress at Harper's Ferry, and on the Maryland side, in which free negroes and whites are engaged.
I am, respectfully, yours,
JOHN W. GARRETT,
Pres't B. & O. R. R. Co.
Balt., Oct. 17th, 1859.
SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 8