Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-10-26
From the Richmond Enquirer
IMPORTANT FROM HARPER'S FERRY

at Harpers Ferry about IL o'clock on the morning
OF the 18th. The insurrection had been quelIcd,
and all the surviving leaders were arrested except
John E. Cook, who had escaped with Mr.. Lewis
Washington's negroes. The negroes, however, have
all returned. The name of the principal leader in
the insurrection is Capt. John Brown from Essex
county, New York, and recently of Kansas.
On Gov. Wise reaching the Arsenal, old Brown
received him with the utmost composure, though
evidently suffering much from his wounds. He said,
"Wel Governor, suppose you think me deprav-
cd criminal Well, sir we have our opinions of
each other" The remark was made with dis
respect whatever. The Governor replied, "You
are in the hands of the State and have questions
to ask. which you can answer or not as you
choose" Brown answered every question and made
full confession which will be published hereafter.
Brown said he was conscious that he was in the
hands of the law and prepared to meet his fate
that as far as he himself and those already in GUS
tody were concerned he had no concealments what
ever to make; that he had been mistaken in his cal
culations about assistance from Others otherwise he
would have given much more trouble. He said that
the whole plot was well contrived and arranged as
far back as 1856 and that he had reason to expect
assistance of from 5000 to 5000 men that he looked
for aid from erery State, Virginia included) Upon
being asked if any negroes or whites, in or about
Harper's Ferry, were pledged to him, he declined
answering. But upon reflection he framed ar an
Swer in these words: From my visits and asSocia
tons and enquiries about here, have right to cx
pect the aid of from three to five thousand men,"
Being interroeated very closely by Gov Wise as to
where the boxes of guns and ammunition came from,
Brown said they were shipped from Connecticut to
| ChamberSburg. Pa, direct to 81. Smith Sons,
in two boxes, and where hauled to Kennely'S farm
in Maryland the rendezvous,) by drivers who knew
| nothing what they contained.
| A Professional Constitution was found on one of
the rioters (Stevens) and shown to Brown, to know
if it was genuine. Upon hearing the preamble read,
| he was the author chiefly, though the document
was amended in their Convention. lie declined
answering questions that might implicate others
til Yesterday. when he said he had fixed upon Har-
| pers Ferry in 1856 as the point to commence his
operations against the Southern States that he had
fully examined its strength, asccrtaincd the number
of men in charge of it, and the probabilities of tax
ing it; said he rented the Kennedy Farm in Mary
land about two years ago for his two sonS-Oliver
| and WatSon-under the name of Smith, to sccrete
the weapons, &c. and hal continued, from time to
time, to adj to his stores He thought he would
have succeeded rad he held Phelps train at Iarpers
Ferry; thinks he would then have been able to hold
the place long enough to inspire confidence in him
and his plans, and then his promised support would
| have come up.
A Mr. Moreton Niece from Kansas, was arrested
on suspicion of being connected with the insurgents
and upon questioning Brown as to the connection of
McGee with him. he asked for his name. Upon be-
ing told that i: was Moreton Niece he broke forth
in the most bitter denunciation of Niece as pro-
slavery man in Kansas McGec was forthwith dis
charged Mc(ice then went out in pursuit of Cooke,
and brought in many of the captured arms, &c.
Like Coppie and Stevens, Brown had no apologies
to make, but justified his conduct from the begin
ming to the end
The Governor asked Brown if they had taken the
Government money. He replied, with Indignation,
that money not his object he had object
Il, Al.
money in Abundance; ana though they searched a
passenger in the train for arms, who had in his
possession $4,000 they did not modest the money.
The letters found on Browns farm showed that
the insurgents were in receipt of money from 9th
er parties. Browns manner to Gov. Wise was
most dignifed and respectful He claimed equality
as to character and motive and complained through
out of the treatment visited upon him that human
tv had governed his conduct towards his
prisoners lie had been treated rfian and brute.
. A discrepancy exists between Mr.. Washington
and Brown to the surrender by the latter
Brown says he Surrcncd before the Marines entered
the engine-house Mr.. Washington says Brown
had a mnsket in his hands when he was struck by
Lieut. Green of the Marines Brown complained
+ that his flag of truce had not been respected. his
son having been shot while bearing the flag. Browns
son-was not shot by the soldiers hnt by citizen.
The statement and confession of Brown is very
full and we shall publish it in tonorrows paper
The Citizens of llarpcrs Ferry had no suspicion
of the intended instruction, prior to Sunday night
About eight or nine o'clock, while the citizens were
returning from church, they summoned to stop
by the strange men, armed with Sharpes Rifles
The citizens then arrested and carried to the
Arsenal. At one o'clock Sunday night, the Rail
Road train stopped anil the passengers were
searched for arms. The train then detained I'M
til six o'clock, Monday morning The citizens at
the Hotel became alarmed at the dctentio, of the
train, but being under arrest they could not com
| mnncate with any person After day break, as the
citizens came out of their houses, they arrested
singly and taken to the Arsenal. Aboht 100 were
thus quietly imprisoned. Brown began to see
than his expected aid was not coming to his assis
tance and he despatched Cooke and others to the
residence of Lewis Washington and had him arrest
ed and brought to town in wagon The insurgents
then returned to Mr.. Washngtons house ant
brought away his slaves and carried them into
Maryland. Brown finding his prisoners were toe
numerous to hold, proceeded to choose ten of tho
! most respectable of them, whom he confined in the
Engine house. which was strongly barricaded.
During this time Browns whole available force
was engaged in sentinel duty around the grounds
and public buildings creating the impression that
they were only detachment Of his force. Col
Baylor appeared at II o'clock in the day, and was
stopped by a negro named Emperor Col. Baylor
insisted upon proceeding, when Capt Brown tolc
Emperor to fire upon Col Baylor if he advanced
Col. Baylor retired and went around the town and
|, collected together party of citizens, and PLACED
them under the command of Geo. Turner, Esq,
>who was afterwards shot. Col. Baylor, with til,
|, Winchester Company drove the insurgents into the
enginehouse, and proceeded to assault it. The fir
ing then brisk from the enginehouse. Severa
citizens were wounded and killed at this time
sCol. Baylor then summoned Brown to surrender
Brown proposed terms, which were, that his mer
land prisoners should be allowed to cross the bridge
land given fifteen minutes time to make their es
>cape This was promptly declined by Col. Baylor
The firing then resumed on both sides, ant
continued until late in the night.
About II o'clock Tuesday night the marines from
Washington City arrived, under command of Col
Lee The engine house then taken and thu
iprsoners secured
The names of the principal insurgents are Capt
John Brown and his sons Oliver and Watson, both