The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-10-25

One marine was killed. and feared to be MORALLY
wounded. Two three others were slightly
wounded.
The marines forced an entrance, taking all the
insurgents prisoners and liberating their captives,
whom they had previously threatened to murder
if attacked
The number of their prisoners is not stated, but
it is believed that out of the original insurgents
fifteen have been killed and two believed to lie
MORALLY wounded.
Among the citizens of Harper's Ferry murdered,
are Fountain Brekham, prominent and respected
citizen, the agent of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad Company; Joseph Burnley and George
Turner one of the first men in the vicinity. There
were killed in the fight, Even Dorsey, railway
conductor and George Richardson of MartinsburS.
Several soldiers are seriously wounded.
The latest advices report that Brown is not dead,
but may live to be hung.
All is quiet, and the Rangers, under the orders
of the President, in pursuit of tugltives.
The United States District Attorney has gone
up to take charge Of the legal proceedings against
the prisoners. The arrangements made by Gov.
Wise to prevent the spread of disaffection were
complete and admirably executed. The Governor
arrived at the spot too late to participate in the
attack Seven infantry and two rifle and artillery
companies, all with full ranks, besides several local
companies, were under orders, and en- route for
IIarpers Ferry in less than four hours after the
news was received by him.
WASHINGTON CITY, Oct 20th.-All the letters,
papers, constitution and y-laws of Browns organiza
ton, the camp equi page, arms and ammunition have
been found. The letters show the full completely
of Gcrrit Smith and other prominent Abolitionists
in the plot and give clue to the whole ramifcation
of the Instruction. Cook, one of the ingeaders,
is still in the mountains, but the rangers are on
his trail Parties of armed men, by order of Gov.
Wise and President Buchanan, securing
large extent of country for the other fugitives.
Money had been literally contributed by Gerrit
Smith, Henry and John Smith, to carry on the
enterprise Only five prisoners were taken, who
now in Jail in Charlestown. Va, under astrong
guard. They will first be tried on the charges of
sedition and MURDER by the Virginia Courts, and
then, if anything be left of them, will be tried by
the United States on charge of hig h treason Old
Brown will recover from his wounds, but his two
sons are dead.
None of the slaves joined the insurgents except
on compulsion. The greatest number engaged at
any time, it is believed did not exceed one or two
hundred.
The following is the anonymous letter sent to
Secretary Floyd some time ago:
CINCINNATI, Ang. Goth.
SIR Il lately received information of movement
ofso great importance that feel it my duty TO mpart
it without delay. have discovered the existence of
association having for its object the liberation
The leader of the is old John Brown late of
Kansas. He has bee Canada during the past winter
drilling negroes there and they were only waiting his
word to start for the South to assist the slaves. They
have one of their leading men-a white man-n the
Armory in Maryland, where it is situated am not
enabled to learn. As everything ready those
of their number who in the Northern States and
Canada, to come in small companies and to rendez
at place which is in the mountains of Virginia
They will pass down through nsylvania, Maryland
and into Virginia at Ilarper's Ferry.
Brown left for the North about three four weeks
ago. He will arm the negroes and strike blow in
few weeks that whatever is done, must be done at
once. They have large quantity of arms at their
rendezvous and probably distributing them already
am not fully in their confidence. This is all the
information can give you. dare not sign my name
this but you will disregard the warning
this account.
Gov. Wise has offered reward of one thousand
dollars for the arrest of Cook, and detectives are
on every road leading to Pennsylvania.
Thrilling Scenes.
To the exclusion of much other less important
matter, we annex the subjoined intensely interest
ing details:
Who originated 1.-The principal originator of
the instruction, and the chief leader in its short
but bloody existence, undoubtedly Capt John
Brown, whose connection with the scenes of vio-
lence and border warfare in Kansas made his name
fanilarly notorious to the whole country He
made his first appearance in the vicinity of Har-
pei IeIIS nIoIC ludu ago, accompanied Dy
his two sons the whole party assuming the name
of Smith They inquired about land in the vci-
nifty, made invests cations to the probability of
finding ores, and for time boarded at Sandy
Hook, one mile east Of Harper's Ferry. After an
absence of some months they reappeared in the
vicinity, and rented or leased farm on the Mary
land side, about four miles from Harper's Ferry.
They bought large number of picks and spades,
and thus confirmed the belief that they intended
to mine for They were seen frequently in
and about Harper's Ferry, but suspicion existed
that "Bill Smith was Capt Brown, or that he in
tended ennbark;ng in movement so desperate and
extraordinary. Yet the development of the plot
leaves doubt that his visits to the Ferry and his
lease of the farm were all parts of his preparations
for insurrection which he supposed would be
successful in exterminating slavery in Maryland
and Western Virginia
Capt. Browns chief aid was John E. Cook
comparatively Jung man who has resided in and
near Harper's Ferry for some years. lie was first
employed in tending lock on the canal. He was
regarded man of some intelligence, known to
be anti-slavery, but not violent in the express
sion of his opinions to excite any suspicious
These two men, with Browns two sons, were the
only white men connected with the insurrection
that had been seen about the Ferry All were
brought by Capt Brown from distance and near
ly all had been with him in Kansas.
Commencement ofhe Out6reok-The first &C
tive movement in the instruction was made about
half-past ten o'clock on Sunday night. VIM. Will
liams, Waterman on Harpers Ferry bridge, whilst
walkiDu across towards the MARYLAND side