Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-10-21
BY TELEGRAPH.
Startling News !-Insurrec,ion at Harpers Ferry''-
Prompt Aid from the Government, and the Gov
Of Virginia and Maryland-Defeat of the
Insurgents !-Ringleader Captured!

Prompt Aid from the Government. and the Gov
Of Virginia and Maryland-Defeat of the
Insurgents I-Ringleader Captured!
WASHINGTON CITY, D. g., Oct. 18th, 1859.
Yesterday at the whole community were astonun-
ded at the report that band of aboitonsts and ne
groes had taken entire possession of the town of Har
per's Ferry, Va, including the Armory, Arsenal
Pay Office, and all other government property. The
telegraph wires cut, and trains with the mails
stopped imprsoning and pressing into their service all
the citizens and negroes found in the workshops and
streets, and killing many
Later in the day the reports fully confirmed by
dispatches to the government Gov Wise ordered out
regiment from Jefferson county, and two Richmond
Companies.
The Governor of Maryland had pushed forward two
companies from Frederick, and several companies from
Baltimore.
The e. States Government sent one hundred marines
with two II pound guns aud had ordered three compa-
nies of flying artillery from Old Point, Va.
The insurgents are said to Lumber seven hundred and
fifty men, and fully armed had fortified the bridge
the Potomac and every approach the land side
About midnight, after severe battle, the Rail Read
employees the Jefferson Regiment, and first division o.
Frederick troops entered the town. when the insurgents
fortified Shortly after other trains arrived with
panes from Baltimore and the marines An immedi-
ate surrender was demanded but the insurgents reus
ed. The marines forced the door, when Their
rapid firing within and without, and three marines were
shot The Armory then carried at the point of the
bayonet, and all the living insurgents were captured.
The citizens and soldiers much exasperated and
endeavored to shoot the rioters but prevented from
doing so by the Marines.
1t now appears that the plan concocted and exc
cuted under the lead of Ossawatoge Brown of Kansas
inamy, accompanied by set of fanatical abooDists
from Ohio, Connecticut, and Maine.
About year ago, Brown, under the of Smith,
hired farm in the vicinity where the gang rendezyoused
Their object apparently to procure and money
from the Armory, and induce general stampede OF Tie
slaves in that section of country.
Several citizens yesterday murdered in cold blood
Three Marines shot, three four of the Frederick
soldiers, and Rail Road Conductor were killed and
two Conductors severely wounded Several Rail Road
men were seriously wounded.
The Armory insurgents killed Anderson, of Connect
cut, leader, and a of Brown.
Brown himself MORALLY wounded, besides several
others killed and wounded not named
Had they not been prevented by the Marines, the
citizens would have made short work Of the living.
Perhaps more before closing.
Harper's Ferry Affair.
WASHINGTON CITY, D. c., Oct. 10Th, 1859.
All is quiet. Old Brown is still living. He had one
son killed and another wounded. The original number
of insurgents consisted of only twenty-two-fteen of
whom were killed and two wounded-three left on Mon
day with body OF slaves for Pennsylvania.
There were only three or four persons taken.
! There was probably not at any time than one
hundred insurgents, most of whom were slaves, who
Joined them on compulsion.
The prisoners will have st,eedy trial.
Four hundred Virginia State troops arrived here yes
terday, but returned home
All the military have been disbanded except the Ma
rines, who remain at the Ferry guard.
WASHINGTON Cry. Oct. goth, 1859.
All the letters papers, constitution and bylaws Of
Browns organization the camp equipage, arms and am
unition have been found The letters show the full COM
pcity of Gerrit Smith and other prominent BOLTON
lists in the plot and give clue t. the whole ramifca
ton of the insurrecton.
Cook one of the rngeaders, is still in the mountains
but the rangers bis trail Parties of armed men
by order of Gov Wise and President Buchanan, are
securing large extent of country for the other fugi
tives
Money had been literally contributed by Gerrit
Smith, Henry and John Smith to carry Oil the enter
, prise
Only five prisoners were TAKEN who are now in jail in
Charlestown. Va under o strong guard. They viii
first be II led the charges sedition and murder by
the Virginia Courts, and then, if anything be left o
them will be tried by the United States charge
Ugh treason.
: Old Brown will recover from his wounds but his twl
sons dead.
All the soldiers except the local companies, have re
turned to their homes.
A false alarm was raised last night, that Cook will
. band of Abotonist, were burning the village O
0 Sandy Hook, the ferry. The Marines and loca
: Military were called out amid great excitement, but
was ascertained that the report without truth
and quiet was soon restored.
None of the slaves Joined the insurgents except OF
compusion. The greatest number engaged at any time
:, it is believed did not exceed one or two hundred
, The following is the anonymous letter to Secretar
Floyd:
CINCINNATI Aug. Goth
SIR Il lately received information of movement
l. so great Importance that feel it my duty to impair
y it without delay have discovered the existence
secret association, having for its object the Ferato
J. of the slaves of the South by general Instruction.
Of The leader of the movement is old John Brown late
Kansas. He has been to Canada during the PAL
j. winter drilling negroes there and they on
waiting his word to start for the South to assist the slave
,e They have ofher leading white man-in Il
of ArmOry in Maryland where it is situated am not en-
bed to learn. AS soon everything is ready, those
tFeir number who in the Northern States and Ca