William Preston Smith to Oliver Hoblitzell, November 30th, 1859—7:35 p.m.

Newburg, November 30th, 1859—7.35 P. M.

O. Hoblitzell.

If press at Baltimore does not fully understand that we are not responsible for event of last night, explain to the morning papers and Mr. Alexander Fulton, that it was an exceptionable case and that the parties were specifically telegraphed about from Ohio to commanding officers as “suspicious,” by detectives employed by State authorities of Virginia.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 68

A. P. Shutt to Oliver Hoblitzell, November 30, 1859–11.39 p.m.

Harper's Ferry, November 30th, 1859–11.39 P. M.

O. Hoblitzell.

Please say to Mr. Garrett, that I have made arrangements with Captain Moore of the command here, to have a guard stationed hereafter, and no one but passengers getting off and on the trains, will be allowed on the Trestle. Captain Moore will inform the commander at Charlestown of the visit here of the wife and friends of Brown, and whatever arrangements they make will be done by his authority.

A. P. SHUTT.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 68-9

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

Oliver Hoblitzell to William Preston Smith, November 29, 1859—6:19 p.m.

Baltimore, Nov. 29, 1859-6.19 P. M.

W. P. Smith,
        Cumberland:

Authorities are considering whether they will send to Harper's Ferry 252 soldiers from Fort Monroe, or but half that number, by morning train. The latter I have already arranged to go with mail train, but if they decide upon sending the whole number, it would probably be best to send special train ahead of mail.

What do you say? I am waiting Col. Lee's decision as to number.

Have seen President and made later appointments with him, but will manage to be in telegraph office at 8 o'clock.

O. HOBLITZEL L.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 60

William Preston Smith to Oliver Hoblitzell, November 29, 1859—7:36 p.m.

Cumberland, November 29th, 1859–7.36 P. M.

O. Hoblitzell.

If there are more than nine cars needed in morning, send two engines, putting soldiers on first train, with orders to flag the other and run prompt on mail time. If there are any emigrants or many troops from Washington at Relay, there may be over nine trains required. Watch train's departure, to-morrow, and telegraph me all about it at Piedmont, saying whether there is any crowd besides soldiers on board.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 61

Oliver Hoblitzell to William Preston Smith, November 29,1859—8 p.m.

Baltimore, Nov. 29, 1859-8 P. M.

W. P. Smith,

        Cumberland:

Your's received and acted upon.

Col. Lee has decided to take all the troops (252) to Harper's Ferry, and will command them himself. Will send soldiers on first train with orders for it to flag the second and run on prompt mail time.

Will not have any emigrants, and have no notice of troops from Washington, but will look out for this. Will agents, &c., be notified of this train by yourself, or Mr. Diffey, or shall I do so?

O. HOBLIT ZELL.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 61

William Preston Smith to Oliver Hoblitzell, November 29, 1859—9:05 p.m.

Cumberland, November 29th, 1859–9.05 P. M.

O. Hoblitzell.

Mr. Diffey, will be at the Ferry and give the necessary orders for running the train with the troops to-morrow.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 62

William Preston Smith to Oliver Hoblitzell, November 29, 1859—9:15 p.m.

Cumberland, November 29th, 1859–9.15 P. M.

O. Hoblitzell.

New York and other Eastern papers of yesterday, contain Associated dispatch, dated Baltimore, and sent, I suppose, by Alexander Fulton, American Building, who is their Baltimore Agent.

It stated that all the trains of our road were entered by armed men, and the passengers subjected to scrutiny in search of suspicious persons. I want you to see Mr. Fulton to-night, in person, or send him this dispatch at once, assuring him in my name, that the statement is untrue, and is calculated at the same time to seriously interfere with the through passenger business of our road. Ask him if he will not, in justice to us, send a general dispatch in all directions to-night, to the effect, that no such invasion of our cars or annoyance to passengers, is practised or permitted. Tell him to mention at the same time, that the Company, acting under the advice of the Virginia authorities, has arranged to take no passengers to the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, at the time of the executions, except such as are believed to be traveling for legitimate objects.

Tell Fulton, also, that the report of troops being fired on at points of our road last night, is entirely unauthentic.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 62