SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 49
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.
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.
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.
The President directs
me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th inst., and to inform
you that prompt attention has been paid to your request. All packages received
have been forwarded, this company paying the freight and charges incurred on
them to this point; and any others coming forward will meet with similar
attention and disptach.
W. P. SMITH.
Dear Sir:—I have
intended writing you since the 2nd inst., on which day the President of this
Company handed me your letter of the 1st, addressed to him. He requested me to
reply to it, and to refund you the amount you paid the Company for your fare in
coming to Baltimore to see him.
He desired me
further, to again thank you for the promptness, zeal, and efficiency which you
exhibited, (and through you to thank also your officers and men on the same
behalf,) in repairing to the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, to protect it from the
violence of the late insurgents and afterwards from the threatened attempts at
a rescue of the prisoners.
We will be obliged
to you if you will at once write us, giving the amount which we are to refund
as above, and also send us bills of all expenses directly incurred in your two
visits to the Ferry. Please endorse these bills officially, as correct, and
also endorse the two bills which I return to you herewith for that purpose. By
doing this you will greatly oblige us.
W. P. SMITH.
Superintendent Barbour telegraphs that aid may be required at Harper's Ferry to-night to protect property—as a band from New York threatens rescue. If our further advices render it necessary, how many military may be relied on from your vicinity this evening? Reply promptly.
J. W. GARRETT, Pres't.
Advices from Superintendent Armory, Harper's Ferry, represent that efforts for rescue of Brown and other prisoners are preparing in New York and Pennsylvania, and that it may be undertaken to-night. Can the service of two military companies from Frederick be had by our express west tonight if further advices should make it requisite? Superintendent has telegraphed Secretary of War and we are also in correspondence with General Government authorities. Reply promptly.
J. W. GARRETT, Pres't.
SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 36
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,
Dear Sir:—I duly received your esteemed advices of 26th instant.
In the present state of excitement in the vicinity of the late outrages, armed protection is probably judicious.
With the information and views of the Superintendent of the Armory especially, it is remarkable that the General Government fails to detail a military force to protect its property I have addressed Gov. Hicks as per copy herewith. I trust he will act in this State as you have in Virginia. In consequence of his absence from Annapolis no reply has yet been received.
In compliance with your request, I promptly used the most effective means to secure all the original papers in this city, connected with the conspiracy. Our officers believe all have been obtained.
Enclosed you will please find copy of a communication addressed to A. Hunter, Esq., which embraces the full particulars of this subject.
I am disposed to render any service in our power, and will be gratified if you will command us further. With great respect,
SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 37-8
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. 36
Sir:—At the request of Governor Wise, of Virginia, President Garrett, of this Company, directed me to secure and send to you, for use in the prosecution of the rioters taken at Harper's Ferry, such letters and other papers as could be found in this city bearing upon the case.
I accordingly enclose herewith three letters, obtained from the "Clipper" newspaper office—viz.: a letter (without signature) dated at Akron, May 2d, 1859; a letter dated Philadelphia, June 6, '59, addressed to Alonzo G. Bradley, R. T. Stieffer; and another, dated at Hallowell, April 28th, 1858, addressed to "My Dear Brother," and signed “Lizzie.”. Upon inquiry at the offices of the “American,” “Exchange" and "Sun" newspapers, I was informed that they did not have any letters or papers bearing upon the case, and that those they published were borrowed for that purpose from the office of the "Clipper."
We have secured for you the use for a few days of the following named papers from Mr. F. W. Kerchner, a lieutenant of one of our military companies. These were taken from Brown's house by himself, and he allows us the use of them, only on condition, that they will be safely returned to him, which we have promised, and which, we hope, you will enable us to faithfully carry out by returning them to this office as soon as you may have done with them. It may be proper to state that these papers were secured together by Kerchner, with a view to their preservation—they consist of—
Four pages of the life of “Old Brown."Dear Sir:— In compliance with your request, expressed to the President of this Company, we have this day transmitted a number of letters and other papers, bearing upon the recent outbreak at Harper's Ferry, to Andrew Hunter, Esq.,, at Charlestown, Va., by the hands of a special messenger. I have the honor to remain,
Our company has received the following message from A. M. Barbour, U. S. Superintendent at Harper's Ferry.
Will you do me the favor to say whether you have given orders to dispatch any force to Harper's Ferry by this afternoon's train from Washington to protect the armory? I only await your answer before asking the commander of the militia here to send a force to the spot during the pendency of Brown's trial and that of his associates. Is it not necessary to keep a Government force upon the spot? Pray advise me immediately.
I have heard this moment from the U. S. Superintendent at Harper's Ferry by telegraph that the gravest apprehensions are entertained that an attempt will be made to rescue Brown, and that fears are also entertained that the Government property at Harper's Ferry may be again plundered. There are no V. S. marines at Harper's Ferry. I advise you of this that you may take such measures as you may deem necessary.
