Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-31
Col. Baylor's Report.
From the official Report of Col

tHc following cxtract:-"lnc insurgents &C.
copied all the lower part of the town, had
their scntlnels posted on all the different
streets, and had shot one of our citizens and q
negro man who had charge of the Depot on
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. | here
formed two companies of the citizens, and
placed them under the command of Captain
Lawson Bolts and Captain John Avis. Their
forces were variously estimated from 800 to
800 strong, armed with Sharpe's rifles and
revolvers
/ detached the Jefferson Guards under the
command of Capt Rowan, and ordered them
TO cross the Potomac River, in boats, about
two miles above lIarper's Ferry. and march
down on the Maryland side, and take posses
sion OF the Bridge. and permit no one to pass.
This order was strictly executed. The COM
mand under Capt. Bolts was ordered to pass
down the hill below Jefferson's Rock, and
take possession of the Shenandoah Bridge
10 leave Il strong guard at that point, and to
march down TO the Gait House. in rear of the
Arsenal building, in which we supposed
their men were lodged. Capt. Avis com
mand was ordered to take possession of the
house directly in front of the Arsenal; both
.
cuted. BY this movement we prevented any
escape. Shortly after this, a report reached
me that Geo. W. Turner and Fontaine Beck
ham, two of our most esteemed citizens had
been shot. About / o'clock we were reintor-
ced by the arrival of the llamtramck Guards,
under the command OF Capt. Butler, the
Shepherdstown Troop, under the command
of Capt. Renhart, and some 80 citizens Of
Martinsburg, under the command of Capt.
! Alburtis. ordered Aburtis to march down
/ Potomac street. through the Armory yard to
the Arsenal. The llamtramck Guards, and
Shepherdstown Troop, (dismounted and arm
ed with muskets.) under my command, pro-
ceeded down High street To the centre Of the
town, in front OF the Arsenal. During this
march, the Insurgents having secretcd them
solves in the Engine House in the Armory
yard, opened Il brisk fire on Capt Alburtis
company. The fire was quickly returned by
Capt. Alburtis' company, who behaved very
brayely. The different companies near at
hand, rallied to Capt. Alburtis' rescue.
The firing at this time was heavy, and the
insurgents could not have retained their po-
sition many minutes, when they presented at
the door a white flag The firing thereupon
ceased, and ordered the troops TO draw up
in line in front Of the Arsenal. During this
engagement and the previous skirmishes, we
had ten men wounded, two fear mortality
The insurgents had eleven killed, one NOR.
tally wounded, and two taken prisoners:
leaving only five in the cngine-house, and
one OF them seriously wounded.
In this engagement We rescued about thir-
~ Of our citizens whom they held as prisoners
i'll the guard-house--thcy still held in the en-
gIne-house. ten citizens and five slaves.
Immediately after the troops were with
drawn, Capt. Brown sent to me, through
Isaac Russell, one of their prisoners, YER
bal communication, stating, if would per-
nit him to cross the bridge with his prisoners
10 some point beyond, he would set them at
liberty. sent him the following reply in
writing.
liEAp-QCARrHRs, HtRPER's FERRY.
CAPT. joins BEowS:
Sir-Cpon consultation with Mr.. Isaac Russell,
one .. your prisoners, who has come to me, on
term. of capitulation. say to you. if you will set
at liberty our citizens, wc will leave the Govern
mcnt to deal with you concerning their property NJ
it may think most advisable.
(Signcd) ROBERT W. BAYLOR,
Col Commandant.
In reply, I received the following answer in
writing:
CAPT. JOHN BRowS, answers:
"ln consideration Of all my men, whether living
or dead. or wounded, being soon safely in, and de-
ivercd up to at this point, with all their arms
and ammunition. we will then take our prisoners
and cross the Potomac bridge, a little beyond
which will sci them ut liberty; after which
negotiate about the Government property
may be best. Also, we require the delivery Of our
horse and harness nj the hotel
tSigncd) joins Brown"
u the above, | returned the following answer:
HEADQUARTERS.
CAPTAIN JoHy BRowN:
Sir-rhe terms you propose | cannot accept.
Under no consideration will consent to removal
of our citizens the river. The only ncgotia-
;ions upon which will consent to treat, arc those
winch have been previously proposed TO you.
(Sisncd) ROBERT W. BAYLOR,
Col. Commandant.
These terms he declined Night by this
time had set in. and the weather being very in
clement, | thought it best for the safety Of our
citizens, whom they held n prisoners, to cease
operations for the night. Should have order
ell an attack at thar hour, and in total dark
ness, our troops would have been n likely to
have murdered our own citizens, as the insur
gents, all being in the same apartment. llav-
ing concluded to postpone another attack un-
til morning, guards were posted around the
Armory, and every precaution taken to pre-
vent escape. Our troops by this time required
some retreshment, having been on active duty
and exposed to heavy fall of rain all day. A
little after night we were reinforced by Col. l..
I. Moore of 3lst Regiment, having under his
command the Continental Guards" COM
manded BY Capt. Washington, and the Ri
hcS,' commanded hy Capt. Clarke; also three
companies from Frederick, Maryland, under
the command Of Col Shiyer. About l2o'clock
Col. Lee arrived, having under his command
eighty-iiyc Marines from Washington. The
Government troops took possession Of the
Government property, aud formed inside Of
the Armory ward, III close proximity to the
engine house. In this position Col. Lee
thought ii best 10 remain until morning
The night passed without serious alarm. but
not without intense excitement. 1t was
agreed between Col. Lee and myself that the
volunteer forces should form around outside
Of the Goverpment property, and clear the
streets VI all cItizans aud spectators 10 prevent
their firing random shots to the great danger
Of our soldiers and to remain in that posi-
ton whilst he would attack the engine house
with his Marines. Is soon ~ day dawn
Ell the troops were drawn up in acc0r-
dance with the above arrangement. At-
ter which, Colonel Lee demanded Of tue
insurgents surrender upon the terms
had before proposed to them, which they
ha