Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-10-21

ic dispatch
FREDERIcK Oct. 17.-Information has been received
here this morning Of formidable nsurrection at Har
pers Ferry. An armed band of abolitionists have
full possession of Harpers Ferry and the United States
Arsenal One of the railroad hands, negro, killed
whilst trying to get the train through the town
They have arrested two men who came in with load
of wheat and took their wagon and loaded it with rifles
and sent them into Maryland. They are led by about
two hundred and fifty whites, with gang of negroes
fighting for their freedom They gave Conductor Phelps
notice that they would not allow any trains to pass
The telegraph wires and west of Harpers
Ferry. This intelligence brought by the train from
the West. Great excitement here. The leader told
Conductor Phelps, of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
traiD that they determined to haze liberty die
IN the attempt"
Their object in stopping further trains to save
boodshed by preventing the arrival Of troops One OF
the was imprisoned by them for half an hour
Subsequently we received the following from
BALTIC. AND OHIO R. ROAD OFFICE,
IL % o'clock A. M {
The companys dispatches of the purport as
the above but they think the statement exaggerated
companys officers busy with their counsel preparing
papers, &C., to protect the road. they appehend their
trains may be peremptory used for military purposes
and travel INSTRUCTED
The company have telegraphed President Buchanan
and Governor Wise Dr. Morris, postmaster is here
with telegraph from the President directing him to
make enquiries.
The Wheeling express train in cha. of Conductor
- M. v.
The train detained by the rioters Harpers Ferry
until o'clock in the morning From Mr. Jacob Cron-
WELL the baggage master of the train gather the fol-
lowing particulars:
stat ,nent Mr. Cromwell.
| The train reached Harptr's Ferry about twelve
o'clock midnight. Knew nothing of the disturbance Or
the plot going in the town until the train stop
ped on the bridge by band Of armed men, At the re-
quest of Conductor Phelps, went ahead with lantern,
and was Immediately confronted by two men who, with
| riFpC told mo tn Stan0 A hiS MON
of the watchmen the bridge, colored man named
! Hayward Sheppard, confronted in the same way,
and being told to stand became frightened and ran, and
was shot through the back.
i Thinking that moment was my best chance, | then
started and lodged behind the bridge but fred after
before could gain shelter. The other Waterman at the
bridge subst quenty taken by the insurgents, and
confined under guard in the office at the bridge
When this condition of things made plain to Con
ducor Phelps he ordered William Wollery, the engi-
neer to back the train and went forward himself and
had conference with the rioters He was introduced
to the rePuted captain OF the Insurgents old who
was called Anderson.
Conductor Phelps told them he was in charge of tie
tran and carried the United States mall and desired to
90 through. This was granted and he given five
minutes to pass. Phelps then conducted to his
train, with before and behind, with rifle pointed
at his head lie told not, pain of DEATH to look
either way. The train Immediately left and that Is all
! | know.
Passengers Statement.
I From gentleman well known in this city, who came
passenger n the Western Express Train, which reached
Harpers Ferry about o'clock A. NJ yesterday and
permitted to leave FIVE o'clock, reaching Balti-
more about yesterday have the following &C
count Our Informant was eye witness to the VIC
lent scene there enactng, far be able to make
! observations In the time above indicated
! The express train which informant passen-
GER reached Harpers Ferry about O'Clock this NOR
ming. On arriving the clerk of the Wager House in
formed Cant PhpnH IF hat
GUS trouble existing in the town. and there were
great apprehensions of danger.
n He stated that large body OF men had mysterousy
came into town during the evening and night from the
surrounding country, and about to take possession
of the pace-that they had already shot deac
and mortaly wounded another, both of whom con
nected with the railroad company Waterman and bag
gage agent, patrol Waterman.
Another person ascerained to have been severely
wounded and being missing it thought he had beer
thrown into the river The insurrectonsts, when they
approached the conductor of the train armed witt
muskets and notified him in the most perempory man
that if he attempted to proceed farther it would b
at the risk of his life
The bridge across the Potomac, was filled with thu
insurgents, all OF whom were armed. The conductor
deemed most prudent to remain he feared some ter
ribe accident in attempting to cross the bridge sup
posing its arches or timbers might have been cut.
# Every hight in the town had been previously eXtn
+ gushed by the awless mob. The train therefore re
manned stationary and the passengers terribly alright
d ed, remained in the Cars all night
4 The hotels were closed and no entrance could be ha
4 into them.
i A countryman who had come into the town with
l. wagon load OF wheat, arrested by the nsurgent
i and pressed into their service
n 1t was stated that large number Of muskets all
c considerable ammunition were found in his Wagon
which they armed themselves with 1t is thought th
T. was blind to procure arms, and fully understood
j. the outlaws part of their plan.
n. All the streets possession of the mob, an
every road lane and avenue leading to the guart
IS ed or barricaded by them.
r. The men were in every quarter with muske
ii and bayonets. 1t thought that there Ii
less than from ESQ to 300 Of the insurgents They
rested every citizen they could nd and upon threats
-, death pressed them into their service This dor
without respect to persons, including many negroes
This DONE the United States Arsenal the goverDmel
Playhouse in which, it Is said large amount of none
deposited Saturday, including Also all the oth
C. public works. taken possession of by the mob
propriating to themselves arms, ammunition and 9TH
1t, weapons OF defence.
as Some were of opinion that the object was one
II plumber to rob the government of the funds fl
wagon load OF guns given from the arsenal to b
ho ligerents outside.
nc During the night the rioters sent word to the Ian
mt lord of the Wager Hotel that they required meals
les ortyve men, who inside the arsenal yard and
ost as many outside might want something to eat
this the landlord replied that be could not meet the
- wants.
les Very soon an armed force of several men was d
patched to him, with peremptoy orders that he must
i've minutes or take the consequences. Fearing bis
nd would be required to pay the forfeit he complied
in. gave them all the eatabes he had.
It was thought there were probably two hundred Ri
its ers in the arsenal.
a The Captain of the outlaw band, or person W
seemed to be the prime mover, was mlddle-aged MI
with gray hair, beard and moustache. His name
signed to paper or note Address, or something sir