William Preston Smith to John W. Garrett, L. M. Cole & H. Tyson, October 18,1859—3.30 p.m.

Plane No. 4, Oct. 18th, 1859—3.30 P. M.

J. W. Garrett,

L. M. Cole,

H. Tyson.

Our train, with military for Baltimore, passed No. 4 at 2.45 P. M., and we hope to get to Baltimore by 5 o'clock. Major Russell, the hero of the fight, is with me, on his way to report at Washington, and will represent the strong need of a continued guard over the Armory of Government, and over our bridge, as a national highway for the mails.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 24

William Preston Smith to Lewis M Cole, October 18, 1859 — 1:10 p.m.

Harper's Ferry, October 18th, 1859—1.10 P. M.

L. M. Cole,

Will send mail east from this place, about half an hour late, followed by ten wheeler with troops, and also Pennsylv[a]nia Rail Road Directors with a third train, — two last as extra. I go on first train as far as Monocacy at least.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 23