Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-10-23
Annaher Accnunf.

ARRIVAL OF THE TRAIN FROM HAMPERS FERRY
From gentleman well known in this city. who
came passenger in the Western train, reaching Bal
timore about noon yesterday we have the following
| account:
! The express train, in which our informant was
| passenger, reached Harpers Ferry about | o'clock
| this morning. On arriving. the clerk of the Wager
House informed Capt Phe ps conductor Of the train,
that serious trouble was existing in the town. and
| there were great apprehensiOns of danger,
He stated that large body of men had pfVsteFi-
ously came into town during the evening and night
| from the surrounding country, and were about to
take possession of the placethat they had already
| shot one dead. and m0rtally wounded another
| both Of whom wepo eoA1ected with the railroad
company as Waterman and baggage agent, or patrol
Waterman.
Another person was ascertaned to have been
severely wounded; and being missing it thought
he had been thrown into the river. The insurrec-
tonsts, when they approached the conductor ut the
train, were armed with muskets, and notified him in
the most peremptory manner that if he attempted to
proceed farther it would be at the risk Of his life
| The bridge across the Potomac was filled with the
insurgents all OF whom were armed. The conductor
deemed it most prudent to remain he feared some
terrible accident in attempting to the bridge
suppOsng its arches timbers might have been cut
Every light in the town had been previously ex-
tnguished by the lawless mob The train therefore
remained stationary, and the passengers, terribly
afifghted remained in the ears all night.
cOuntryman who had come into the town with
a wagon load of wheat, was arrested by the insur-
gents and pressed into the service.
1t was stated that large number Of muskets and
considerable ammunition were found in his wagon
which they armed themselves with. 1t is thought
this was blind to procure arms, and fully under
stood by the outlaws as a part of their plan
All the streets were in possession of the mob, and
every road lane and avenue leading to town guarded
or barricaded by them.
The men were seen in every quarter with mus
kets and bayonets 1t was thought that there were
not less than go to 300 OF the insurgents. They ar
rested every citizen they could lind and upon threats
Of death pressed them into their service. This was
done without respect to persons including many ne
groes
This DONE the United States Arsenal the govern
ment Playhouse in which, it is said, large amount
OF money was deposited on Saturday, including,
also, all the other public works were taken posses
sion of by tho mob, appropriating to themselves
arms, ammunition and other weapons of defense.
Some were Of opinion that the object was one of
plumber to rob the government of the funds. full
wagon load OF guns was given from the arsenal to
begerents outside.
The Captain Of the outlaw band or person who
seemed the prime mover, mddleaged man
with gray hair beard and moustache. His name
was signed to paper or note, Andreas, or some
thing similar thereto.
He assumed to be the chief of the insu1Tectonists
and was heard to say, in addressing the conductor
that IF you knew ard understood my motives rs
well as | and others understand them, you would |
not blame me much.n
This person also announced in a bold. determined
manner, that if he interferred with or resisted
his party would instantly set fire to the town and
destroy it with everything therein. lie likewise |
threatened to burn down the railroad bridge and |
cut of all communication.
The citizens in terrible state of cOnsterna-
tiOn-most of them being shut up in their houses
and not light TO be in the or anywhere
around
The begcrants seemed to cvince no actual anti
81. Al. IL.
ployees they could find were captured by them and
pressed into their service. being forced under
threats 10 take arms. In another speech the ma
raudcr chief was heard to cXclaim: II YOU knew
my heart and history, you would not blame me-
They were instantly placed in the arsenal. The
insurgents exhibited indomitable holiness. and de-
clare they cannot be taken captive.
Our informant states that the CONSERVATION was
intense. 1t difficult to divine the cause of this
outbreak or attack. Some are of opinion It was a
bold, concerted scheme TO rob the government pay
house Of funds believed have been deposited there
IN Friday or Saturday previous. Others imagined
t might have been Il demonstration Of AhOltiOnists
connected with some negro affair.
About five or halt-past five o'clock this morning.
he deputatlOn of armed insurgents approached the |
conductor, and gave him five minutes to start hi |
rain and cross the bridge lie accepted 2the offer
md started crossing the bridge in safety. though
With great fears, through dense throng of armed
who had taken possession of it.
When our informant LETT. the whole town. gov
rnment works, and everything else, were in the | !
lands of the insurgents, who seemed to be gradually
eceiving achievements, composed OF negroes and
White men from the surrounding country.
One man was killed instantly; another was found
aying been shot through the body and believed to
e dying. A good deal of firing was heard at differ /
mt surrounding points.
The negroes were armed or given arms instantly 4
pom being pressed into the service of the outlaw
and. The ringleaders were desperate and deter :
lined. j
No passenger belonging to the railroad train was =
ljured, nor did there appear to be any disposition
n the part of the outlaws to modest them beyond
claiming the ears.