William Preston Smith to Thomas H. Parsons et al, November 30, 1859

Baltimore, Nov. 30, 1859.

T. H. Parsons—Washington, D. C.,
    J. M. Lowe—Washington Junction,
        G. S. Koontz—Ellicott's Mills,
            W. A. Gorton—Martinsburg,
                L. C. Boehm—Cumberland,
                    L. E. Randall—Piedmont.

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.

W. P. SMITH,        

Master of Transportation.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 67

William Preston Smith to John W. Garrett, November 30, 1859—6:45 p.m.

Rowlesburg, Nov. 30th, 1859.—6.45 P. M.

J. W. Garrett.

Your full dispatch received and understood. Have either personally seen or arranged to see, all agents on West end of our line. Am on Express East, which has a good number of through passengers; but all proper persons, including Mr. Halstead, of the Commercial, and several other Editors of the West. Two of the detective officers are returning on our train. I arranged fully at Cumberland last night to have the trains in both directions attended by additional men to-morrow as understood.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 67-8

John W. Garrett to William Preston Smith, November 30, 1859

Baltimore, November 30, 1859.

W. P. Smith,
        Master of Transportation.

I send you a copy of Mr. Hunter's dispatch, viz:

I do not understand the limit to apply to our regular through business, or legitimate local; but to parties who may not be known to our Company, who wish to go to Harper's Ferry. These should be restricted to the smallest practical compass.

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. 68

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. Diffey to William Preston Smith, November 30, 1859–11.54 p.m.

Harper's Ferry, November 30th, 1859–11.54 P. M.

W. P. Smith.

Government troops arrived here on mail train time, numbering two hundred and sixty-four (264) men. Special train left here for Baltimore at 9.25, running on mail train time, east. Fine looking set of men, Col. Lee in command.

A. DIFFEY.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 69

Charles E. Waters to William Preston Smith, December 1, 1859–3:50 a.m.

Grafton, Dec. 1st, 1859–3.50 A. M.

W. P. Smith.

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

J. B. Ford to William Preston Smith, December 1, 1859—10:58 a.m.

Wheeling, December 1st, 1859—10.58 A. M.

W. P. Smith.

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

A. P. Shutt to William Preston Smith, December 1, 1859—2 p.m.

December 1—2. P. M.

To W. P. Smith.

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

William Preston Smith to J. T. England, December 1, 1859—8:45 p.m.

Baltimore, December 1st, 1859–8.45 P. M.

J. T. England, Camden Station.

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

William Preston Smith to A. Diffey, December 1, 1859—9:11 p.m.

Baltimore, December 1st, 1859–9.11 P. M.

A. Diffey, Harper's Ferry, or beyond.

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

William Preston Smith to C. W. Russell, December 1, 1859

Baltimore, Dec. 1st, 1859.

C. W. Russell,
        Of Wheeling troops,
                Charlestown.

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

William Preston Smith to A. Diffey & A. P. Shutt, December 1, 1859

Baltimore, December 1st, 1859.

A. Diffey,
A. P. Shutt,
        Harper's Ferry, Va.

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

William Preston Smith to John Donohoo, October 20, 1859—6 p.m.

Balto., Oct. 20, 1859–6 P. M.

John Donohoo,

        Harper's Ferry:

Mr. Shutt, of our service, is on express West, to remain a few days at Ferry, to afford protection to road for passing trains there. He will report to us on these matters, but not attend to any details of the agency. Introduce him to Superintendent Barbour and the Mayor.

W. P. SMITH.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 27-8