The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-10-18


information:
The express train reached Harper's Ferry about
o'clock this morning On arriving the clerk Of
the Wager House informed Capt. Phelps, 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 myste-
rlousiy came into town during the evening and
night from the surrounding country, and we're
about to take possession of the place-that they
had already shot one man dead and mortally
wounded another, both of whom were connected
with the railroad company as watchman and bag
gage agent or patrol watchman.
Another person ascertained to have been
severely wounded and being missing it was thought
he had been thrown into the river. The insurrec-
tionists when they approached the conductor of the
train were armed with muskets, and notified him
In the most peremptory manner that if he attempt
ed 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 con-
ductor deemed it most prudent to remain as he
feared some terrible accident, in attemptinp to
cross the bridge, suppOsing its arches or timbers
might have been cut
Every light in the town had been previously ex-
tlnguished by the lawless mob. The train there
lore renamed stationary and the passengers ter
| rlbly afrighted, remained in the cars all night
The hotels were closed and no entrance could be
| had into them.
All the streets were in possession of the mob,
| and every road, lane and avenue leading to the
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 from $50 to 800 of the insurgents
| They arrested every citizen they could find, and
upon threats of death pressed them into their ser
wee. This was done without respect to persons,
| including many negroes.
This done, the United States Arsenal the gov
ernment Playhouse, in which, it is said, large
amount OF money was deposited on Saturday, in
cludng also all the other public works. were taken
possession of by the mob appropriating to them
selves arms, ammunition and other weapons Of de-
| fense.
Some were of opinion that the object was one of
plunder, to rob the government of the funds. A
full wagon load of guns given from the arsenal
to belligerents outside.
During the night the rioters sent word to the
landlord of the Wager Hotel, that they required
meals Tor fortyhve men, who inside the arsenal
yard, and for as many outside as might want some
thing to eat To this the landlord replied that he
could not meet their wants.
| Very soon armed force of several men was
dispatched to him, with peremptory orders that he
must leave in five minutes or take the consequences
Fearing his life would be required to pay the for
felt he complied and gave them all the eatabes he
| had
1t was thought there were probably two hun
| dred rioters in the arsenal.
The Captain of the outlaw band or person who
| seemed to be the prime mover was midde-aped
man with grey hair, beard and moustaehe His
! name was signed to paper, note as Anderson
| or something similar thereto.
he assumed to be the chief of the insurrectonists
and was heard to say, in addressing the conductor
| that ';if you knew and understood nv motives as
well as and others understand them, you would not
| blame so much"
This person also announced in a bold determined
manner that ii he was interfered with or resisted
his party would instantly set fire to the town and
| destroy 1t with everything therein. He likewise
threatened to burn down the railroad bridge and cut
! off all communication.
The belligerents seemed to eyince no actpal an
! tpathy against the railroad. What government
| employees they could find were captured by them
and pressed into their service, being forced under
| threats to take up arms. In another speech the
marauder chief was heard to exclaim: "If YOU knew
my heart and history, you would not blame me-"
The government watchmen and the railroad
watchmen were the first persons arrested by the
rioters
They were instantly placed in the arsenal The
insurgents exhibiting indomitable boIdness, and de-
clare they cannot be taken captive.
One man was killed instantly, another was found
having been shot through the body and believed to
be dying. good deal of firing was heard at
different surrounding points.
The negroes were armed or given arms instantly
upon oelng pressed into service of the outlaw band
The rlngleaders were desperate and determined
NO passenger belonging to the railroad train was
injured, nor did there appear to be any disposition
on the part OF the outlaws to molest them beyond
OBTAINING the cars. There but few ladies on
board.
These statements, may be imagined, excited
the most intense feeling, and The news was speedi
ly communicated to Washington and elsewhere
The Frederick military telegraphed to the Presi-
dent proherng their services, which were immedi-
ately accepted. Major-General Steuart, of this
city, instantly rendered the services of his division
ana live companies under the command of It. Col
E9erton lett at o'clock in the afternoon for the
scene OF disturbance. Telegraphc operators with
proper instruments, were also out to establish
communication between the nearest accessible
road teegrapfed to the 9nP th dy or ne
States that cars would be placed upon the road to
convey the government troops, the Marine Corps
from Washington to the seat of the disturbance.
The following reply was in short time received
by John W, Garrett, Esq.
WASHINGTON, Oct II.
Your despatch has been received and shall be |
promptly attended to. Orders have already been
issued for three companies of artillery from Old
Point Comfort, and | have already accepted the
services of Capt. Ritchie's company at Frederick
You will hear further from the Secretary of War,
myself. JAMES BUCHANAN.
To j. W. Garrett, Esq, president of the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad.
During the afternoon the following dispatches
reached here and were promptly placed the
bulletin board
lists IN ARMs-sEIzURE OF WHITES THE LIBERIA
TIoN OF THEIR SLAVES.
MoNoCACY, Oct. 1.-THE following are all the
particulars that can be gathered at this point rela
tive to the outrages going on at Harper's Ferry:
The mail train bound west got as far as Sandy
Hook, when Walter Simpson, the baggage master
and Mr.. Trasher started foot to the bridge.
Simpson and Trasher went through, but were
taken and put in prison. They went before the
captain of the insurrectonists, and he has refused
to let anything pass. All the eastward bound
trains laying west of the Ferry. The insur-
rectionsts have been taking persons from this side
of the river tieng them up and taking off all their
slaves!
The mail train going west has returned to this
station. There is said to be from five to hun
dred whites and blacks in the outbreak.
THE RAILROAD STILL oBsrRUCTED INsURREC-
TIONIsTs.
MoNoCAoY, Oct. II, l.3O P. M.-The mail agent
on the Western bound train has returned to MonOc-
acy and reports that the train is unable to get
through the town of Harper's Ferry. The town is
in possession OF the negroes, who arrest every one
they catch and imprson them. The train due
here at 8 o'clock cannot get through and the agent
came down on an empty engine.
LETTER FROM MERCHANT-THE RESIDENTS IMPRIsoN-
RD-sEYERAL CITIZENS KILLED.
FREDERICK, Oct 1.-THE engine and train from
here have Just returned, being unable to proceed
through Harpers Ferry.
Your correspondent has just seen a letter from
merchant from Harper's 'sFerry, which was sent by
two bows over the mountain, and had to swim
the river to escape the insurrectionsts The letter
states that most all the leading people of Harper's-
Ferry in Jail and that several had been killed!
The rioters have all the works in their possession,
and have taken the money from the vaults. The
powder house is in their possession, and they vii.
| not permit any one to leave the town.
F. Beckham, the Railroad agent, was shot twice
! by the gang. They said to be disguised-the
| whites being painted as blacks.
The attack was first made about II O'Clock last
night.
The watchman at the railroad depot shot
dead.
MILITARY MOVEMENT.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17.-0n the receipt of ntelli
gence from Harper's Ferry this morning, orders
issued for three companies of artillery at Old
Point, and the corps of marines at the Washington
barracks to proceed thither without delay.
| The marines, about SO in number, with two II
pound howitzers, and full supply of ammunition,
left in the o'clock train this afternoon. 1t is re-
ported that they are under orders to force the
bridge tonight at all hazards. Col. Faulkner ac-
| companied them.
1t is reported on good authority that some weeks
| ago Secretary FLOYD received anonymous epis-
tie stating that about the fifteenth of October the
| Abolitionsts and negroes, and other dsafected
persons would make attempt to seize the arse
nal and hold the place.
This statement, however, appeared so indefinite,
improbable and ridiculous, as to be regarded as
not worthy OF any attention.
1t is understood here that the troops from Balti
more cannot pass the river unless per order OF the
President of the United States or the Governor o
Virginia. neither of whom have given the neces
sary orders 1t is also understood that General
Steuart has been informed that Colonel Lee, Of
the army has full instructions, and is authorized
to issue the order if it should be found necessary
The troops from Frederick are under orders from
NUosb IN the river intO VIRGINIA