The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-10-19

commence to destroy life indscrimnately.
A party of seven men, part of whom were negroes,
mad been dispatched up the Shenandoah side, to
take possession of the rifle works, which they did,
Citizens gathered on the hills (Which are 300 feet
high) and which overlook the works, and by rapid
and correct shoOting convinced the insurgents
that their force was not sufficient to hold the posi-
tion. They accordingly left the works and started
to cross the river, but as their persons be-
came iuly exposed the rifles were brought to bear
upon them from the heights and six of them fell
dead in the river Only one escaped.
The news had spread rapidly through the coun-
ties adjoining, and citizens and volunteer militia
commenced pouring into the town. George W.
Turner, Esq. one of the most estimable citizens of
the county, hearing of the rebellion, shouldered
his rifle and mounted his horse, and proceeded to
the Ferry. Just before he reached the street in
which the arsenal is situated, he shot, the bali
| passed through the vital organs and he died al
most instantly The fact of his death appeared to
nerve the people. The dwellings near the arsenal
were occupied, and one Of the insurgents negro,
was shot dead in front of that building. The rebels
concluded to move their quarters, and they accord
| lngy took possession of the enginehouse. Mill
tary by this time had arrived from Shepherdstown,
Charlestown and Winchester, and the company
from Shepherdstown under command of Captain
Butler, crossed the Potomac, west of the Ferry
and took the bridge, driving the insurgent
guard to the Armory grounds. One of the
rebels, named Tagg, taken prisoner and
confined in the hotel. At o'clock Fountain Beck
ham, Esq, Mayor of the town, and Ticket Agent of
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, stepped out on
| the platform of the railroad and be was shot He
fell and died instantly. He laid on the platform
| for
go near him, as the position was com
manded from the engine house. As soon
as Mr.. Beckham was shot proposition
was made to kill Tagg, which prevailed, and he
was brought out on the bridge and shot, and then
thrown into the river, and volley Of bullets sent
into his body it lay the rocks where it lodged.
After this charge was made on the engine house,
which was led by Captain Samuel Aburtis, editor
of the Martinsburg Republican, and George Muir
ply, Esq, Prosecuting Attorney of Berkeley coun-
ty, and son of the Paymaster of the Armory. The
men whom they led fought desperately and succeed
ed In releasing large number of imprisoned citi-
Zens. Two of their number, however, were killed
named Dorsey and Richardson, and five were
wounded, among whom was Mr.. Murphy, who re-
celved two balls in the hesby part of the leg, and
although thus disabled he courageousy cheered the
men to action. The most of the young men en-
gagged in this attack were employees of the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad Company at Martinsburg,
and were brave fellows, who certainly would have
been successful if they had been properly sustained
Shortly after this attack the man Stevens, referred
to heretofore, wounded and an insurgent
named Leeman, who tried to escape by wadiDg the
Potomac, was killed. The pockets of his clothing
were searched and the following commission found
No.9. HEAD QUARTERS, WAR DEPARTMENT.
NEAR HARPER's FERRY.
GREETING Whereas, VIM. H. Leeman has been
nominated Captain in the army established under
the provisional constitution Now therefore, in
pursuance of the authority vested in us by said
constitution, we do hereby appoint and commission
the said VIM. H. Leeman Captain. Given at the
office of the Secretary of War this day, October l5
1852 JOHN BRowN
Commander in Chief.
H. GAY, Secretary of War.
This Commission was a printed blank with the
name of Leeman written in legible style. Firing
was kept up during the afternoon between the in
surgents and the people, but night closed in with
out any other persons being shot During the eve
ming and night several of the citizens and Colonel
Shrver visited the engine house under flags of
truce, and conferred with Brown, for the purpose
of inducing him to capitulatc, but he would listen
to no terms except that he and his men should be
allowed free and protected pass to the mountains.
This the citizens refused to grant, and Brown as
sured them that he would die fighting At II
o'clock, Col Shriver visited Brown and offered him
protection from the wrath of the people and safe
conduct to Jail, but he scornfuy refused it, saying
he knew his fate, and he preferred meeting it with
his rife in his hands to dying for the amusement
of crowd.
Before day break the U. S. Marines, Major
Russell in immediate command, were marched into
the ard nd aSsiunad tham rhera
they remained until daylight. The Maryland troops
also crossed the bridge and took positions on the
different streets, together with the other military,
Col. Lee, U. S. Marines, in command. At seven
o'clock the streets cleared of all persons ex-
cept the military, and Lieut. Stewart U. S. ORA
goons, accompanied by Col. Samuel Strider of
Harper's Ferry, bearing flag of truce went to the
engine house. They were received by Brown who
partially opened the door. Lieut.. Stewart set forth
in plain language the folly of further resistance
the certainty of their capture either alive or dead
and assured them of the protection of the Z. s.
Marines against any acts of violence which might
be attempted by the people Brown was fixed and
determined; he had drilled loop holes through the
wall to strengthen his defense; he would listen to
nothing except safe escort to the mountains. His
men had wavered and were in favor of capitulating
but he would not allow such step. After much fruit
less exertion on the part of Lieut. Stewart he left
Brown. A squad of sixteen marines were station
ed in line just below the engine house. two of
whom carried large sledges, and the rest Mimic mus
kets. Further on were stationed another squad of
the same number. Major Russell was commanding
and the flag of truce had but fairly left when the
order given for the attack. The frst-named
squad advanced and the two marines dealt repeat
ed heavy blows against the door without effect
| L.. Al
other squad were ordered to take very heavy lad
der and use it as ram to burst the door, In an
instant their muskets were laid down. and taking
hold of the ladder, at a distance of twenty-five
yards from the door they started at full
run, and struck the door. 1t partially
yielded to the shock. The marines re-
treated and gave second blow, when two of the
boards of the door Welded. A third blow shivered
the door, and the order was given to enter. Major
Russell in the cool and gallant manner entered
first, without weapons, with his right arm raised
demanding a surrender. A shot was fired at this
moment by of the insurgents, and the ball
struck marine named Quinn in the abdomen and
passed through his body. He died of the wound
Another shot struck marine named Luckns in the
mouth not seriously wounding him. The engine
house contained two fire engines and hose car
riage, which incommoded the marines greatly on
entering. The citizens who were prisoners sepa-
rated from the insurgents and were recognized
by the Marines, and none were injured. After the
Marines entered they compelled to fire at the
rebels. A of Browns was killed. ball pass
ing through his body near the left nipple j. p
Anderson was shot in the abdomen and mortally
wounded. Old Brown cut to the floor by the
sabre of Lieut.. Green of the Marines, who acted in
fearless manner. An insurgent, named Edward
Copie, one of Browns sons, who had been serious
ly wounded during Monday, and a negro named
Gains, were taken prisoners. Two dead bodies
were lying in the engine house, one of which was
that of James Hazlitt, of Ohio and the other that
! of j. G. johnson, of Connecticut When
| the released citizens walked out of their
prison they hailed with most deaiening cheers
and of them expressed their gratitude for their
deliverance by clasping the Marines in their arms
| Lewis Washington the last to show himself
| and when he did, the mountain sides reverberated
with the shouts Of the multitude, who had tbronged
| the railroad platform, crowded the windows of all
the houses in the vicinity, and filled the different
| streets When the Marines brought out their pris-
immense cry of 'Hang them filled the air,
and young with rifles jumped from the walls
and the bridge into the armory yard and were
pressing to where they were, fully in
tent on killing them, but the Marines