I understand that I
am to instruct Conductor of Mail East to leave cars off to take troops to
Washington, and that they are to go by 4.20 train to-night.
J. M. LOWE.
SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 49
The authorities here wish to send up one hundred and twenty-five men by the way-train to-morrow morning for North Mountain, to guard Virginia side of the river, between there and Cherry Run—the cars to be taken on West after they have landed, which will not delay the trains. Notice to be given when they wish to return by same conveyance.
W. A. GORTON.
Was there a dispatch sent by you to Harper's Ferry, on Sunday evening, to this effect: "Conductors of all trains will pass James Post, the bearer of this dispatch, until December 1st, free of charge, and give him every facility and attention possible in furthering his important object.” Answer.
A. DIFFEY.
The neighborhood is in a great state of excitement this morning, in consequence of several fires having been seen from Charlestown during the night. It is known that Capt. H. Willis' barn was burned. Rockets were seen from Charlestown at nine o'clock
A mountaineer just came in with a rifle, found on the hill near the East end of the bridge. It is an Allen breach loader, and different from any that have been found, heretofore. I will be in Baltimore, on Mail, this evening.
HENRY TYSON.
We will do everything in that way the Virginia authorities desire, and you can send troops in the morning as you proposed.
I learn that a corps of Cadets, perhaps from Charlottesville, will want to come in the morning, also, with cannon. If so, send them by all means on the same train.
W. P. SMITH.
If connection for soldiers going to Harper's Ferry, can be made from Southern Line, by holding over 3.20 P. M. train 15 minutes, you can do so, but do not put any guns or freight cars with the train. They can be sent by next train.
W. P. SMITH.
The Wheeling troops cannot be ready for Express as you propose. Col. Wheat says, they must have the Mail train, to-night, to run from Wheeling to Harper's Ferry. Answer.
J. B. FORD.
SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 51
Have prompt and full enquiry made at Bellaire as to rumored concentration there of men from Kansas, &c., to attempt a rescue of Brown and other State prisoners, at Charlestown, and advise me fully.
W. P. SMITH.
The Petersburg troops with Artillery are on our Mail West, which has eleven cars, leaving Relay but ten minutes late. Troops number nearly 200. Get copy to-day's American from train and mark it for Gov. Wise with my respects. The leading editorial seems to represent his views at length.
W. P. SMITH.
All has quited down here. We have a company of sixty men from Richmond here, seventy-five of the same troops was detached for duty at Martinsburg, by Gov. Wise; I sent them on by Express last night. I will keep account and report to you of services rendered. The Trains all pass here, near or on time. We have all the people of the town at the Station, on the arrival of the trains, but very orderly. Charlestown at this time is quite a military post and can make quite a respectable show of Virginia troops.
A. P. SHUTT.
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.
Please advise me promptly when any troops leave Harper's Ferry, so that we may provide for their accommodation from Relay to Washington. I send package on mail train for Gov. Wise to your care.
W. P. SMITH.
All is quiet here. Gov. Wise has ordered back the Petersburg and Richmond troops. One hundred and fifty I sent on the express this morning, and one hundred go on a special train to Charlestown this morning to bring three hundred here, and with the two hundred left over will arrange to send on mail train. He dispatched me last evening to make arrangements to have them connect with the 4 P. M. train to Richmond. I will have cars here for the troops from Charlestown, but have telegraphed Mr. England to send four cars on the mail West to-day.
I would suggest you inform them in Washington of the troops departure from here.
A. P. SHUTT.
One hundred troops left on mail for Richmond. When I arrived at Charlestown Gov. Wise had countermanded his order of last evening, and intends to keep the troops for the present stationed, here and at Harper's Ferry. I delivered your package to the Governor.
I understand from Mr. Barbour that the Governor has some important information. You shall hear from me if there is anything of interest.
A. P. SHUTT.
Report fully to me of their arrival and departure, and any other matters of interest.
W. P. SMITH.
The train with Gov. Wise and troops has arrived this 4.25 P. M.; and left for Charlestown, this 5 P. M. The Governor must be in possession of information—we have not—to justify him in sending so large a number of troops here. All is quiet about here, and I have not the least apprehension of trouble now; I shall keep a lookout, and report matters of interest. Two hundred of the troops are detached for this place.
A. P. SHUTT.
SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October 1859, p. 43
Your dispatches received. I had a full interview with Gov. Wise at Relay. He has reliable information he says, satisfying him that a concerted effort is on foot to attempt a rescue, but he does not believe any movement of men in a body will be made for this. He thinks the attempt may be entirely abandoned in the face of the extensive arrangements making for a defence. He thinks, too, that the drilling, the knowledge of guard duty and the general use of arms, which the Virginians will receive, will more than pay the expense of the large military force he is calling out, and that it is better to show the country that five or fifty times too many men are constantly ready to repel invasion, than not enough. This looks right.
I want you to take measures at once, to break up the exhibition and sale to passengers on our trains, at Harper's Ferry, of the pikes, or other weapons. Remember that the entire trestlework and road bed is ours as well as the bridge, and we can forbid any nuisance of whatever sort. I think this pike trade only adds to the excitement, and it is certainly against our rules to allow any peddling there. Give the Virginia authorities every possible attention and facility in all things, merely keeping an account of service rendered by the Company, and returning it to A car-load of provisions will be sent up on special train to-morrow. Ask the Col. who went up to-day, whether he wants the car taken to Charlestown. It was ordered by Gov. Wise, through him.
W. P. SMITH.
Charlestown: I cheerfully comply with your request, and send you with this, an order by telegraph which Mr. Post can use, by showing to any conductors or Agents.
W. P. SMITH.
Baltimore, Nov. 20th, 1859–6, P. M.
Conductors of all trains, passenger or tonnage, will pass James Post, the bearer of this dispatch, until December 1st, free of charge, and give him every facility [sic] and attention possible in furthering his important objects.
SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October 1859, p. 44
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.
