Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-10-20
THE HARPER's FERRY WAR.

THE HARPER's FERRY WAR
We begin to see what has happened at Har-
per's Ferry. 1t is stated positively that old
"Ossawattomie Brown" has been living in that
neighborhood for some time past, that he oc-
cupies farm in that neighborhood, and that
he has been doing something in very insane
way to show his implacable hatred of slavery
All sorts of reports are put in circulation now,
just as all sorts of explanations of the fighting
were set aioat chaotcally at the outset. Here
is one of the reports =
baltimore, Oct. 19.--We have lust re-
ceived the following from Harper's Ferry:
| Last evening detachment of marines and
some volunteers made a visit to Browns
| house. The first visit was to the school house
and not to Browns house, as stated yesterday.
They found large quantity of blankets, boots,
shoes, clothes, tents, and 1900 pixies with large
blades affixed.
They also discovered carpet bag, contain
ing documents throwing much light on the af-
fair, printed constitutions, and by laws, of an
organization showing or indicating ramifca-
tons in various States of the Union. They
also found letters from various individuals at
the North; one from Fred Douglass, contain
l,g ten dollars from lady for the cause; also
a letter from Gerritt Smith about many mat
tiers, and check or draft by him for 500, en-
dorsed by the cashier of New York bank
name not recoected. All these are in posses
sion of Gov. WISE"
The following is added =
ga short time after Capt Brown was
brought out, he revived and talked calmly to
| those about him, defending his course and
ayowing that he had only done what was
right. He replied to questions substantially
as follows:
q. Are you Capt. Brown of Kansas? A. l
am sometimes called so.
Q. Are you Ossawatomie Brown? A. |
tried to do my duty there.
Z. What was your present object? A. To
free the slaves from bondage.
Q. Were there any other persons but those
now connected with the movement A. No.
Q. Did you expect aid from the north A.
No; there were none connected with the move
ment but those who came with me.
q. Did you expect to kill people in order to
carry your point? A. did not wish to do 50,
but you forced us to it."
The New York Times of yesterday had A
communication from special correspondent,
from which we take the following passages =
"The following commission, taken from the
pocket of Anderson, after death, will give an
idea of the character and extent of this new
organization:
Number seven.l GREETING.
HEADQUARTERS WAR DEPARTMENT, |
Near ilarper's Ferry
Whereas, Jere G. Anderson has been nominated a
Captain in the army established under fine Provis
ional CONSTITUTIONS
Now, therefore, in pursuance of the authority vest
ed IN us by said Constitution, we do hereby appoint
and commission the said Jere q Anderson CAPTAIN.
Given at the office of the Secretary of War this
day, Oct. Is, eighteen ffty-nne.
JOHN BROWN, C0mmander-in-Chief
ii. KAGI, Sec'y of War.
Here we have developed a new government,
under constitution, printed copy of which
was also found, and delivered to the Federal
authorities. This Headquarters is n small
tract Of poor land, rented by Brown under the
name of Smith, for the ostensible purpose of
farming, but planting or reaping was never
done upon it. 1t lies six miles northeast of
Harpers Ferry, i'll the state of MARYLAND.
Here was to be the general rendezvous of the
conspirators and from this point they marched
on Harper's Ferry, on Sunday night last"
Edwin Copdic of Cedar county, Iowa, one
of Browns men, who was taken prisoner UNI
wounded, says =
"The whole company was opposed to max
ing the first demonstration at IIarper's Ferry,
but Capt. Brown would have it his own way
and we had to obey orders he promised large
reintorceWents as soon as we made a demon
stration our rifles are some of those furnish
ed by the Massachusetts, Emigrant Aid Soce-
ty and sent to Kansas they were reshipped to
Chambersburgh, and thence hauled with am.
munition by teams to our headquarters"
All these statements were fully confirmed by
Capt Aaron Stevens Of Norwich, Conn, who
is supposed to be MORALLY wounded. Stevens
is q years old, and has a father, sister, and
stepmother at Norwich
| Mr.. Washington, who was confined with
the other prisoners in the engine house, and
all Of whom, it was feared, would be shot in
the melee, reports that all the insurgents wish
ed to surrender but Brown; that he never
| quailed, but exhibited a GOODNESS and courage
seldom equaed. lie ordered and arranged the
i portfolios drilled in the wall with as much
composure as if ii had been an ordinary trans
action Of every day business. During the fir
ing he never taltered. He also says the pris-
oners were treated by Brown with great con-
sderation and kindness.
Watson Brown, the MORALLY wounded son
OF the leader, has wife in Essex county, New
York
Ebert llaslett, one of the killed, had moth
ing upon his person but an empty pCcketbook
and a lock of lady's hair.
Captain Brown had near $3.50 about him
when wounded. His money is now in the
paymaster's strong box. He fell under two
bayonet wounds-one in the groin and one in
the breast-and four sabrecuts on the head.
| During the fight he was supposed to be dead,
or doubtless lie would have been shot. lie was
not touched by u ball, and will, doubtless, re-
cover.
Cook, Of Hartford, Conn, called on Colonel
Washington several weeks ago, and requested
to see his cabinet Of curiosities. Among 9TH
or things he was politely shown the sword and
pistol presented to Gen. Washington by L,l-
tayette. Cook also accompanied the party on
Sunday night to arrest Col. Washington and
steal his negroes. While there he demanded
and obtained possession OF both sword and pis-
toll The former he presented to the "Com-
manderin. Chief" Brown, who wore ii while
Col Washington WAS his prisoner Cook ps.