Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1859-10-21
Insurrection at Harpsr's Ferry.

week were sthrtlcu ny News vi ""o' eip
gular and violent outbreak in Harpcr's
Ferry, large town on the Potomac, in
Virginia, just over the Maryland line,
where the U. s. Government employ a
large number of men in making and re-
pairing arms. The following is the FIRST
despatch
"FREDERICK, Nd, Oct. II An insur-
rection is reported to have taken place at
Harper's Ferry The express train running
east was fired into twice, and one of the
railroad hands, a negro, was killed while
trying to get the train through the town
The mob arrested two men who came in
with load Of wheat, and took the wagon,
loaded it with rifles, and sent it into
Mary land. They are led by abount two
hundred and fifty whites, with gang Of
negroes fighting.
The Armory was taken possession of
about 0 o'clock on Sunday night. So
quietly was it done, that the citizens knew
nothing of it till the train was stopped.
BALTIMORE, o'clock p. M.-Another
account brought by the train which has just
arrived says the bridge across the Potomac
was flied with insurgents, all of whom are
armed. Every lightin the town had been
extiugushed, the hotels were closed, all
the streets were in possession Of the mob,
and every lane leading thereto is barrica-
ped and guarded. Men we're seen in ev-
cry quarter win muskeIs ana oayoneis,
who arrested citizens, and pressed them
into service. They also treated many of
the negroes in a similar manner. This
being done the Uuited States arsenal and
Government pay house, and all the other
public works, were seized BY the mob.
Some are of the opinion that the object of
the rioters is to rob the Government Of the
funds deposited on Saturday at the pay
house. During the night demand on the
Wager Hotel, for provisions, was enforced
by body of armed men. The citizens
we're in terrible state Of alarm, the in
surgcnts having threatened to burn the
town.
IPresident Buchanan and Governor
Wise, promptly ordered military forces to
the scene Of confusion, BY railroad, others
went from Baltimore The train compri.
sed II cars, with 400 troops, and laborers
&c. to repair the roads and telegraph
lines.
In view of the possibility Of the distur
bance at Harper's Ferry extending to this
vicinity, the Mayors of Washington aud
Alexandra have taken precautionary steps
for their immediate suppression.
1t has been suggested, BY well informed
persons, tha. the cause Of the insurrection
is the reported fact that, not long since,
the Contractor for the construction of the
Government Dam at Harper's Ferry abb
seconded, largely indebted to several humid
red employees, who have taken this step
to indemnify themselves, by the seizure of
the Government funds, which, it was sup
posed, had been transported thither on
Saturday. A gentleman who has just ar
rived from Harper's Ferry thinks the
blacks are only participants in the outbreak
from compulsion.
There are three different persons repor-
tod TO bo a., lo.do-o, ono 80 o.liod '.OiI
Brown of Kansas" another is "Bill
Smith," another is "Capt. Cook of Penn
syvania" One "Alen Evars of Connec.
ticut," is reported dying, and to have said
that it was all plan to revolutionize, and
make Maryland and Virginia, Free States.
Oae who visited the camp of the mob
returned stating that they comprised 500
or 600 negroes, and 200 or 800 whites,
all armed to the teeth. Many other sto-
ries are aAoat.
BALTIMORE, Oct. is, two o'clock A. NJ. /
News Of serious character is now be-
ing transmitted over the wires, the line to
IIarper's Ferry having been repaired. An
engagement had taken place at the Bridge,
resulting in tho loss of life.
Three o'clock A. M.-The town has
been taken possession of by companies
from Charleston and Shepardstowp, Va,
and Frederick. The rioters are entrench-
ed in the Armory, and Mr.. Washington
and Mr. Lagen6eld, with many other citi-
zeus are among the prisoners.
Col Shriver, of Frederick, has just had
an interview with Capt. Brown in the Ar
mory. He asked to be allowed to march
out with his men, and avowed his inten-
ton of defending himselfto the last. His
mcu are very strongly posted in the engine
house, and cannon can not be used against
them for fear of iujuring the prisoners
they still hold. Some sixteen persons are
known to have been killed.
Col. Lee, thinks there are abundant
troops on hand to capture the rioters, and
seems perfectly certain that the original
party consisted of not more than twenty
white men and five negroes. 1t is repor.
ted, but not confirmed, that the rioters
have carried off considerable amount Of
The Government funds. No attempt was
made to pillage the town or insult females.
LATEsr-The troops, after asking the
rioters to surrender in vain, s:ormed the
arsenal, killing one or two, and others be-
ing shot while attempting to escape. The
leader saws be is "Old Brown of Ossavat.