Send
a special train of one passenger car and a house car, to arrive here at 4
o'clock, to-day, to convey the body of John Brown to Harper's Ferry. By order
of General Taliaferro.
E. M. AISQUITH.
CHAFFIN'S BLUFF, October 16, 1864.
On the 14th instant Colonel Mosby struck the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Duffield's; destroyed U.S. military train consisting of locomotive and ten cars, securing twenty prisoners and fifteen horses. Among the prisoners are two paymasters with $168,000 in Government funds.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
43, Part 1 (Serial No. 90), p. 633
Upon request of authorities of the State of Virginia, we have concluded to sell no tickets by trains of Thursday and Friday—1st and 2nd of December, to any point between Monocacy and Cumberland. Of course we are willing to accommodate the regular travel, or persons having legitimate business between the points indicated, and will allow tickets to be sold to such.
You will act carefully in accordance with these instructions.SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 67
The officer in command here has sent a special messenger to General Taliaferro, at Charlestown, in regard to the passengers under arrest here. The messenger will return some time during the night. There is nothing further can be done until orders are received from Charlestown.
W. A. GORTON.
SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 67
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
I sent you a dispatch from Moundsville, stating that we had but about forty passengers from the Central Ohio Road, and but five desiring to stop at the Ferry.
The Agents at Cameron, Moundsville, Benwood and Wheeling, fully understood your wishes, respecting the sale of tickets to points east of Cumberland, and will carry them out to the letter.
I shall proceed to Baltimore by the first train as you direct. We have in all about ninety passengers, on the train.
C. E. WATERS.
SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 69
Received your message in relation to certificates for passengers other than the legitimate through and local travel, or those bearing the State authority, for Mail, last night and to-night.
J. B. FORD.
SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 69
Several passengers for this station, on Mail East. They were refused to be taken on the Winchester Road, whose train was sent down in charge of a guard, by order of the commander at Charlestown.
It will be impossible for strangers to go on that road; and I would suggest keeping back all, unless they come vouched for. Col. Lee had a guard of seven men on the Bridge, at the Maryland end, last night, and it will be kept up to aid our own watchman Mrs. Brown has been permitted to go to see her husband alone, after delay. Your editorial friend from Cincinnati, will go over to Charlestown with Mr. Barbour.
A. P. SHUTT.
SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 70
Have you an extra engine and ten large passenger cars ready, to follow Mail train in morning to Harper's Ferry, to return first installment of military and citizens to Baltimore and Washington. Have telegraphed Gen'l Taliaferro and Mr. Hunter, to advise me at first possible moment, probable number of men to be returned both to-morrow and Saturday.
Let Mail proper go out first in the morning, with only four passenger cars.
W. P. SMITH.
SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 70
It is not improbable that we shall find it necessary to run a special train for passengers, including some returning troops, on to-morrow, leaving Harper's Ferry for Baltimore, about three o'clock, and running, if necesssry, to Washington, to accommodate the Eastern Virginia troops. I have telegraphed Gen'l Taliaferro and Mr. Hunter, asking them to advise us at the earliest moment of the probable number of troops there may be returning on to-morrow and Saturday, to enable us properly to provide for their prompt and safe transportation.
I think of sending up an extra engine and empty cars on Mail train in morning, to bring back the first division of the returning army.
W.P. SMITH.
SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 70
It being very desirable for me to learn at once, something of probable movement of troops on return, so as to provide for safe and prompt transport, I will be much favored if you will ascertain this and telegraph me.
W. P. SMITH.
SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 71
Have sent extra engine and ten passenger cars with one baggage car to Harper's Ferry, behind Mail, in charge of Conductor Walters, Hussell, Engineman.
As we will certainly need them, possibly this P. M., they must be put in siding at Ferry, and engine may go to Martinsburg, if not wanted early to-day. Should any great number of citizens, editors or others, earnestly desire an earlier return than Express time in morning we may run an extra from Ferry at a proper hour this afternoon or evening. I am anxious to learn, if possible, about how many troops will leave on return to-morrow, and if any on Sunday, to make suitable provision for them.
W. P. SMITH.
SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 71
Foggy; then bright; then very warm.
Gen. Lee is at Chaffin's Bluff. A dispatch from him this morning states that the enemy's infantry are near Harrisonburg, in the Valley, and that his cavalry is retiring.
9 A.M. Another dispatch from Gen. Lee. The raiders' cavalry, only 250 strong, are at Brandy Station, a body of their infantry at Bealton Central Railroad.
9. A.M. Gen. Lee says Gen. Breckinridge repulsed the enemy's attack on Saltville, on Sunday, 2d inst.; it was a "bloody” repulse, and Gen. B. is pursuing.
Gen. Beauregard has been appointed to the supervisory command of the army in Georgia, etc.; in response to the universal calls of the people.
The enemy threw op earthworks yesterday, toward the city, from Fort Harrison, one mile in length. He is now within five miles of the city, and if his progress is not checked, he will soon be throwing shells at us.
But Lee is there, digging also.
Flour rose yesterday to $125 per barrel, meal to $72 per bushel, and bacon $10 per pound. Fortunately, I got 100 pounds of flour from North Carolina a few days ago at $1.20 per pound. And Thomas, my son, detailed as clerk for Gen. Kemper, will draw 30 pounds of flour and 10 pounds bacon per month.
Bright, and very warm.
The President returned this morning, hastened hither by the perils environing the capital.
An order is published this morning revoking all details for the army of persons between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years
If this be rigidly enforced, it will add many thousands to the army. It is said there are 8000 details in the military bureaus of this State.
A dispatch from Gen. Hood, near Lost Mountain (in Georgia, Sherman's rear), dated yesterday, says Sherman is marching out of Atlanta to attack him. He says Gen. Stewart's corps struck the railroad at Big Shanty, capturing 350 prisoners, and destroying ten miles of the road. Gen. Forrest is marching against Altoona. We shall soon have stirring news.
All is quiet near Petersburg and Richmond to-day. Eight of the local companies (clerks) have been ordered to guard the prisoners to Salisbury, N. C.
I saw a New York Tribune to-day, of the 17th inst., and find the Peterson's are advertising new editions of several of my books.
Reports of general
stoppage of trains and invasion of cars by armed men or others, are entirely
false. This is neither undertaken nor permitted. Three passengers,
who are said to have used incendiary language, were peaceably
arrested upon the telegraphic notice sent by a detective from
the West to State authorities. This is the only
instance of the kind.
W. P. SMITH.
Baltimore, November
29, 1859.
To Hon. Henry A. Wise.
To ensure
satisfactory and reliable arrangements, I visited Harper's Ferry to-day, and
conferred by appointment with Mr. Hunter. In accordance with his views, the
following programme was determined upon, viz:
To run the regular trains,
east and west, with but the usual number of cars, unless more are required for
troops. Our Company to sell no tickets to Harper's Ferry, or any point in its
vicinity, except to parties who may be approved by an authorized officer of
this Company, who is to furnish a personal certificate, which will be respected
by your authorities. We shall place our best men in charge of all trains on
Thursday and Friday, and their courage and fidelity can be relied upon. I
dispatched our Master of Transportation, Mr. Smith, by this day's train after
the conference with Mr. Hunter to perfect similar arrangements at Parkersburg,
Moundsville, Benwood and Wheeling.
President Felton of
the Philadelphia road, accompanied me to Harper's Ferry, and joined in a
dispatch to the New Jersey road, instructing to sell no excursion tickets from New
York to Baltimore, or Washington, during this week, and also directed his
Agents at Philadelphia to sell no such tickets.
We have ordered an
extra guard to protect and repair our telegraph wires—whilst the excitement
continues. Col. Lee orders transportation for 240 U. S. troops to Harper's Ferry,
for to-morrow morning, which we arrange by an extra train. The movement of our
trains on the days stated, in the care of firm and faithful men, combined with
the use of the telegraph, may afford you valuable information, not otherwise to
be obtained promptly. My desire and determination are to meet fairly your
wishes in protecting the interests of Virginia, by all means in our power. Please
advise, therefore, whether you deem the arrangements made, sufficient and
satisfactory.
J. W. GARRETT,
Pres't.
William A. Gorton,
Martinsburg:
Citizens of
Baltimore, of entire respectability, who personally know Messrs. James B.
Glassford, J. W. Vansant and J. L. Collins, who were arrested on
Express train at 2.50 this A. M., assure me reliably, that
these gentlemen are business men on their way to Baltimore
in prosecution of their legitimate affairs. They have through-tickets
and intended to come directly to Baltimore. Such arrests are
calculated to do great injury to our Company, without benefitting our Virginia
friends. I yesterday visited Harper's-Ferry and arranged fully
with Mr. Hunter, regarding all precautions desired on our
trains. I have communicated the arrangements to Gov. Wise,
who telegraphs me his cordial approval.
You will therefore
communicate this dispatch to the officer in command. I trust he will
instantly order the release of these passengers, so that they may
come to Baltimore on first train. Telegraph reply promptly.
DEAR SIR:—I
have received your dispatch, and am much gratified to
discover that the public spirited action of your company in
the present state of things has elicited so proper and
cordial a response from the Executive of our State.
I have written to
Martinsburg, to caution them against annoying your passengers, and
we regret that any such annoyance has occurred in the case
of the three gentlemen from Ohio.
The gentlemen
referred to, were immediately released by a dispatch from this
place.
I telegraphed
you to-day, and think now every proper arrangement has been made.
SOURCE: B. H.
Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to
the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 65
