The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1859-10-27

Ferry render it certain that the insurrec-
ton spoken of by US last week, was in
stigated for the purpose of liberating
Slaves, and that at the head of it was old
JOHN BRowS, Of Kansas notoriety. He
had, since his escape from Kansas with
q party of slaves, rented farm in the vi
entity of Harper's Ferry, and removed
there with his two sons. JOHN E. Cook,
his chief aid. had formerly resided in
the same vicinity. but afterwards went to
Kansas, from whence he returned more
than a year since. He was known to be
anti slavery in sentiment, and regarded
as man of some ability. He and Brown
and his two sons were the only white
men connected with the insurrection W no
had been seen in that vicinity. All the
rest, some Is in number, came from a
distance, and nearly all had been with
Brown in Kansas
The first active movement in the in
surrection was made about lO4 o'clock
on Sunday night. They first seized
the Waterman at the railroad bridge, but
released him shortly after midni ght.
Cook went to the house of Col. Lewis
Washington. large STAKEHOLDER. living
some four miles from the Ferry, and took
him prisoner, carrying off his horses and
wagon, and - of his slaves. He also
went to the house of Mr.. Allstadt, an
other slaveh older, and took him and his
son prisoners, and induced or forced all
his slaves to join the movement They
then returned to the armory, by this
time in possession of Brown, stationed a
guard at the bridge. stopped the trains,
cut the telegraph wires to prevent COM
munication with other points, and placed
guards at all the avenues of the town. 1t
was all done SO quietly that the town peo
pie were not aware that anything extra
ordinary had transpired, until the next
morning. and some sixty workmen were
quietly taken prisoners as they came in
to the armory to go to work. At day
break. Cook, with two white men and
thirty slaves. taking with them Colonel
Washington's wagon. started up into the
mountains, towards Pennsylvania.
After the news began to spread, dem
onstrations of resistance to the insurrec-
tionsts commenced. Several persons
were shot on both sides before noon, and
the insurgents, with the exception of
guard at the bridge, were driven within
the armory grounds. AT about noon,
the Charlestown troops made gallant
dash across the bridge. driving the guard
into the armory, and capturing one Of the
insurrectionists, who was afterwards tax
en- out and shot, in retaliation for the
death of the Mayor of the town, who
was shot by one of Browns sons. The
Marlinsburg, Shepherdstown. and Char
lestown troops made several attacks dar-
ing the afternoon, driving the insur-
gents within the engine room of the ar
mory. the strongest position that the
works afforded. Some five or six Of the |
insurrectionists, and three or four of the
troops. were killed in these skirmishes.
Night coming on. operations ceased,
guards being placed around the building
to prevent escape. During the night the
Baltimore military and company of ma
rines, under command of Col. Lee, ar
rived. About O'Clock the next morn
ing. Lieutenant Stuart. aid to Col. Lee,
advanced to parley with the beseiged, the
fear of injuring Col. Washing ton and
the other prisoners. preventing the use of
cannon. Capt. Brown met the Lieut.. and
the bearer of the flag, an old gentleman,
named Strider, at the door, and refused
to surrender unless allowed to march out
with their arms and prisoners for some
distance, pnpursued, when they would
free their prisoners. and afterwards give
the troops liberty to take them If they
could. This was. of course, refused,
and after long expostulation with the
insurgents. without effect, the Lieuten-
ant left them, and preparations for an
immediate attack were made. The sig.
nal vas given, and the marines advanced
in two lines, on each side of the door.
Two stout fellows. with sledge hammers,
sprans forward to batter down the door,
but finding the hammers Intellectual seiz-
ed ladder about 40 feet in length, and
advancing upon the full run. brought it
with tremendous effect against the door.
A, the second blow the door fell. the
marines rushed in, and Notwithstanding
the insurgents maintained well-dirtect-
ed FIRE, they were soon overppxefed, and
the insurgectieon. -gpelledl::. Txp- IF Il 1hs.