Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-10-21

poles, q terrible looking weapon, intended for
The use Of the negroes.) with spades, pick
Axes, shovels, and everything that might DO
needed; thus proving that the expedition Wa
well provided for, that large party of men
were expected to bsarmed, end that abundant
means had been provided to meet al expenses.
How oil these supplies were got up to this
farm, without attracting observation, is
strange They are supposed to. have been
brought through Pennsylvania. They also
discovered documents throwing much light
on the affair. Among them are the printed
constitution and BY laws Of the organization,
showing or indicating rami6cation through
out the various States OF the Union. They
also found letters from various Individuals
one from Fred Douglass, containing ten dollars
for the cause; also, letter from Gerrit Smith
about money matters, and check or draft
for 800, endorsed by tho cashier Of New
York bank, whose name is forgotten. All
these documents are in the possession Of Gov
Wise. The Governor has offered reward of
81, 900 for the capture Of Cook, who has
escaped, with portion Of the insurgents. A
large number of armed men were scouting the
mountains in pursuit of him. The citizens
imprisoned by the insurrectionists all testify
to their lenient treatment. They were neither
tied nor insulted, and, beyond the outrage OF
restricting their liberty, were not i'll used.
Capt. Brown was always courteous to them,
and at all times assured them they should not
be injured. He explained his purposes to
them, and, whilst he had the workmen in
confinement, made an abolition speech to
them. During the previous night, he spoke
freely to Col. Washington, and referred to his
sons. He said he had lost one in Kansas and
two there; he had not pressed them to join
him in the expedition, but did not regret their
loss they had died in a glorious cause.
Several slaves were found in the room with
the insurrectionists, but it is not believed they
were there willingly; indeed, Browns expect
alton IS to the slaves rushing to him was
entirely disappointed. None seem to have
come to him willingly, and in most cases were
forced to desert their masters. But one
instance in which the slaves made public
appearance with arms in their hands is related
A negro, who had been sharply used by one
of the town people, when he found that hi
had pike in his hand, used his brief authority
to arrest the citizen and have him taken te
the armory. The insurrectionists did moi
attempt to rob the paymaster's department
At the armory was large amount of money
but it was not disturbed.
An eyewitness Of the battle, in which the
arsenal was taken from the insurgents, thus
describes the scene:
"For several hours, running and random
fire was kept up by the troops against the
rioters, several of whom were shot down
while many managed to limp away wounded
During the firing, the women and children
ran shrie king in all directions; but, wher
they learned that the soldiers were their pro
tectors, they took courage, and did good ser
vice in the way Of preparing refreshments
and taking care of the wounded. Our inform
ant, who was on the hill when the firing was
going on, says the terrific scenes of battle
passed in reality before him. Soldiers coulo
be seen pursuing singly and in companies
and the crack of the musket or rifle was gen
orally followed by one or more of the insur
gents biting the dust. The dead lay in the
streets where they fell. The wounded were
cared for. Capt. Browns wounds consist o.
sword.cut in tho forehead, and bayone
wound in the kidneys"
The party of insurgents originally consisted
of twenty-five persons, of whom fifteen arc
killed, two MORALLY wounded, two unhurt
and three who have escaped with the slaves
Nineteen of the number were whites.