The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-10-29

They were, however, but poorly armed,
some with pistols and others with shot guns;
and when they came within range OF the
engine house, where the elite OF the insur.
rectionists were gathered, and were exposed
to the rapid and dexterouS use OF Sharp's
rifles, they were forced to fall back, suner-
ing pretty severely. Conductor Dorcey
Evans of Baltimore, was killed instantly,
and Conductor George Richardson received
a round from which he died during the day.
Several others were wounded, among them
a son of DR.. Hammond of Martinsburg.
A guerilla warfare was maintained during
tho rest of the day, resulting in the killing
of two of the insurrectionists, and the
wounding of q third. One crawled out
through culvert leading into the Potomac,
and attempted to cross to the Maryland
side, whether with the view Of escaping, or
conveying information to Cook, is not
known. &c..
lie was shot while crossing the river, and
fell dead on the rocks. An adventurous
lad waded out and secured bis Sharp's rifle.
The body was afterwards stripped Of part
of its clothing. In one Of his pockets was
found q captains commission under Maj.
Gen. Brown. A light mulatto was shot just
outside the Armory gate. The ball went
through the throat, tearing away the prin'
cipal arteries, and killing him instantly.
His name is not known, but he is one of the
free negroes who came with Brown. His
body was left in the street until noon yes
terday, exposed to every indignity that could
be heaped upon it by an excited populace.
At this time tall, powerful man, named
Evans Stephens, came out from the Armory,
conducting some prisoners, it is said. lie
was twice shot-oDce in the side aid once
in the breast. lie was then captured and
taken to u tavern, and after the iDsurrec-
ton was quelled, was turned over to the
United States authorities in a dying condi-
ton. During the afternoon, sharp little
affair took place on the Shenandoah side of
the town. The insurrectionists had also
seized the halls of the rife works, and a
party of their assailants found their way in
through a mill race, and dislodged them.
In this recontre, it was said, three insur-
rectionists were killed, but We found but
one dead body, that of a negro, on that side
of the town. Night, by this time had set in,
and operations ceased. Guards were placed
around the Armory, and every precaution
taken to prevent escapes.
At II O'Clock, the Monday night train
with Baltimore military and marines, arrived
at Sandy Hook, where they waited for the
arrival Of Col. Lee, deputized by the War
Department to take the command.
The reporters pressed on, leaving their
malitary allies behind; they found the bridge
in the possession of the military, and enter
ed the besieged town without difficulty, the
occasional report of a gun, or singing mo-
Of "a al fkay
that it was advisable to keep themselves
out Of range of the Armory. The first visit
was made TO the bedside Of Evans Stephens,
the wounded prisoner; they found him to
be Iargc, exceedingly athletic man, per-
feet Sampson III appearance. He was IN
small room, filled with excited armed men,
who more than once threatened to shoot
him, where he was grCaning with pain, but
answering with composure and apparent
willingness. every question IN relation to
the fray in which he was engaged.
lie said he was a native of Connecticut,
but had lntely lived in Kansas, where he
knew Capt. Brown. lie had also served in
the United States Army. The sole object
of his attempts was to give the negroes free
dom, and Brown had represented that as
soon as they seized the Arlnory the negroes
would flock 10 them by thousands, and they
would soon have force enough for their
PURPOSE one for which he would sacrifice
his life; but he said he thought Brown had
been greatly deceived. He said that prep
aratioIs had been making for some months,
but that the whole force consisted Of seven
teen white men and five free negroes.
The statement was repeated without va
ration by all the prisoners with whom we
conversel. All agreed as 10 the number in
the movement and rs 10 It's objects, which
some called the work of Philanthropy.
Lewis Lcary, negro shot at the rifle mill.
stated, before he died, that he enlisted with
Cnpt. Brown for the instruction at fair
held in Lorraine county, Ohio, and received
the money to pay his expenses. They all
came down to Chambersburg, Pa, and
from there ;h2y travelled across the country
TO Browns farm.
The night passed without any serious
alarms, bat not without excitement.
The building in which the insurgents had
made their stand was the fire. en- zine house.
and no doubt most defensbIc building in
the Armory. 1t had dead brick walls on
three sides, and on the fourth large doors,
with window sasLes above, some eight feet
from the ground.
The cannon could not be used without
endangering the safety Of Col. Washington,
Mr.. Dangertirld. Mr.. Ball and other citizens.
whom they still held prisoners. The doors
and walls Ct the building had been pierced
for rifles. but it was evident that from these
holes no range could be had, and that with
out opening the doors they would lie shoot
ing IN the dark. Many thought that the
murder Of the prisoners held was determined
upon, and that a fight to the death would
be the ending of their desperate attempt.
Whilst the people thus looked and specu-
lated the door was opened. and ore of the
men came out with tag of truce, and de-
livcrcd what was supposed to be terms of
capltuiatI"u. The continued preparations
for assault showed they were not accepted.
Shortly after seven o'clock, Lieut.. +. B.
Stuart. Of the lst Cavalry, who was acting
rs aid for Col. Lee, advanced to parltv with
the hesoigrd Samuel Strider, Esq. an old and
respectable citizen, bearing tag of truce.
They were received at tho door by Capt.
Cook. Lieut.. Stuart demanded an nncon-
dltIonal surrender, only promising them
protection from immediate violence. and n
trial by law. Captain Brown refused all
terms but those previously demanded. which
were substantially, "That they should be
permitted to march out with their men and
arms, taking their prisoners with them
that they should proceed unpursued to the
second toll-gate, when they would free their
prisoners the soldiers would then be per-
mitted to pursue them, and they would fight
if they could not make their escape" OF
course. this was refused. and Lieut.. Stuart
pressed upon Brown his desperate position,
and urged a surrender. The expostulation,
though beyond ear shot was evidently very
earnest, ard the GOODNESS of the Lieutenant,
and the courage of his aged flag bearer won
warm praise. At this moment the interest
Of the scene was most intense. The volun-
tcers were arranged all around the building,
cutting off an escape in every direction
The marines divided into two squads, were
ready for dash at the door.
Finally, Lieut.. Stuart, having exhausted
all argument with the determined Capt.
Brown, walked slowi y from the door.
Immediately the signal for attack was Civ
en-, and the marines, headed by Col. Harris
and lent Grpppa olvopcaJ in twn liues IN