Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-24
Letter from Charlestown.

Mount Vernon Guards, under command Of
Capt. VIM. H. Smith, numbering 10 men,
and the Alexandria Rflemen, with 40 men,
Capt. NJ. Marye, arrived here safe and sound
on Friday, about noon. We found here the
Morgan Continentals of Winchester, Capt.
Haines, and the Jefferson Guards, Capt.
Roland The Contiuentais have been sta
toned here for the past four weeks. They
have had a fatiguing time Of it in doing
guard duty, and they were highly pleased
when they saw the faces Of their old friends,
the Alexandria military The Rifemen have
their quarters at the Court House, and the
Guards Immediately in the rear of the Jail.
Ii. Clay Ward, John Marshall, Jas. ShInn,
Z. NJ Castleman, and IA number of others.
are among those who volunteered. 1t took
all Friday afternoon, and part of the night,
10 get things in order. 1t rained in torrents
all Of Friday night.
Bv the Kindness Of Major b. L. Washing
ton, the Sheriff Of the County, Col. Campbell,
was induced to let me pay visit 10 the pri-
soners, who were confined in the Jail. 1t
was about o'clock when paid the visit,
and found the prisoners at supper. had
long conversation with Brown and Cook
the latter | think, the most intelligent OF
any of Them They all seemed to be in good
spirits, and one would not suppose, to hear
them laugh and talk, that they were under
sentence of death. | am satisfied, from Cook 5
conversation, that he does not expect to be
hung. lie, think, is the most guilty Of any
Of the party-living in Ilarpcr's Ferry Tor
upwards of two years, marrying there, and
getting into the affections of their people,
and then playing the spy all the time lie
ought to have been hung long ago. The
jail is strongly guarded by a company of
men under Sheriff Campbell and Capt. John
Avis (the latter gentleman having served in
the Mexican war. From what had heard
Of the Jail, thought it was very Insecure
one, but | was disappointed. | can safely
say, that there is not stronger one in the
State than the Charlestown Jail. On Satur-
day morning, our two Companies had Il drill,
and made quite an impression by their sol.
der-like manner, and the way in which they
drilled. During the day, rumors were atioat
about different parties Of men, who, 1t was
said. were marching towards Charlestuwn.
We heard from three or four different sour
ces that the Alexandria Artillery had
fight ut Berry's Ford, and the Rltiemcn were
ordered TO that point. They had made all
preparations 10 leave, when an express ar
rived, stating that there was no foundation
for the rumors that we had heard, and the
Company was ordered back to its quarters.
They deserve great deal Of praise for the
promptness with which they obeyed the or
L.. ~ lao, I,.,l
very rough road, and the mud two or three
inches thick-the distance being about Is
miles On Saturday night we bad taste Of
what soldiers lille really is. The Guards
and Riflemen performed guard duty, and
Il most disagreeabe time they had Of it
Standing guard is delightful amusement
on dark night and mud several inches
deep-mure especially when it is IN Il lone
some place, near grave yard, for instance,
where some of our men were stationed.
just imagine it
On Sunday morning, the Alexandria Ar
tillery, Major Duifey commanding arrived,
after long and tedious march. These
men have seen very hard servicc-not one
of them had seen bed since they lett
home If there should be any fighting to
town, but will do their duty like men.
Both of the Alexandria Companies went to
ChSrch, and listened to very fine discour-
ses-onc from the Rev. Mr.. Galloway, of
the Episcopal Church, and the other from
the pastor of the Methodist Church. Sun
day afternoon, we received dispatch from
Gov. Wise, that he would be in Charles
town that afternoon. The Continentals,
Capt. Haines; Alexandria Rihemen. Capt.
Marye and Mount Vernon Guards, Capt.
Smith, under the command of Col. }. l..
Gibson, marched down to the Depot, and re-
ceived the Governor, and the Richmond
Companies, numbering some 200 men. y
They had left three of their Companies at
IIarper's Ferry, and the latter are expected
here to-day.
Mr.. Barbour, Superintendent at llarper's
Ferry, and Jas. Barbour, Of Culpeper, were
here to-day upon business connected with
this affair. On Sunday night it raned again
in torrents, but our boys had not the pleas.
ure Of being on guard.
On Monday, review of all the troops
now stationed hare was ordered by the Coy
ernor, ind beautiful and imposing sight it
was. should almost hope that the news OF
800 men marching On 70 Charlcstown is true,
AS should like to see what our Alexandria
bows are made Of OF course, | don't want
any of our men killed
Daring the course Of the day, the War
rentun Companies, under command 81 Capt.
john Scott and COL Turner .Ashby, with Col.
}. T.. scruggs, and staff; the Ncwtown Cav
alry, and several other Companies, whose
names cannot recollcct. arri,ej here. They
are ordered to return home on Tuesday morn
ing. The Guards and Kiheuen drilled to-
day several hours.
This morning everything is quiet, and
there is no excitement ut all here. | shall
write you again. You may rest assured, if
occasion should REQUIRE il, the Alexandria
military will do their duty. Both Compa-
MES are well drilled, under command Of e4-
perienced officers, who know their duty well,
and you will hear good account of them.
Major JAS II. Smoot. OF the i75th Reg't., has
been acting as an express rider, under CoI.
Stuart, and has had hard and iNtigueing
time Of it.
Our Companies are under command OF
Col. c. J.. Stuart, assisted by his staff.
have been requested by both Companies
to return their warm and sincere thanks. Tor
the kind and hospitable manner in yi+ich
they have been treated, to Col. l.. NJ. Davis,
Col. j. I. Gibson, A. Kennedy, l.. Bolts, Il.
IL. Lee, the Mayor, Ct. {. Green Wills j.
Hawks. aud other citizens, whose names |