Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-10-26

men were imprisoned ia large building far
! ther down the yard, and were rescued by
brilliant Zouave dash, made by the Railroad
Company's men, who came down from Mar
tinSburg. This was the condition of affairs at
daylight, about which time Captain Cook with
two white men, and accompanied by thirty ne
groes, and taking with them Colonel Wash
ington's large wagon, went over the bridge
and struck up the mountain on the road to-
ward Pennsy lyania.
II was then believed that the large wagon
was used to convey away the Paymaster's safe,
containing SIT 900 Government funds, and
also, that it was filed with Minnie rifles, taken
out to supply other bands in the mountains,
who were TO come down upon Harper's Ferry
in overwhelming force. These suppositions
both proved untrue, neither money nor arms
were disturbed. The news spread around and
as the people came into the Ferry the first de-
monstrationS OF resistance were made to the
insure 4 general warfare commen-
ced, chiefly led by man named Chambers,
whose house commanded the armory yard.
The colored man, Hayward, railroad por-
ter, was shot early in ihe morning, for refus-
ing to join the movement. The next man shot
was Joseph Burley. citizen of the Ferry. He
was shot standing in his own door. About this
| time Samuel Z. Young, Esq. was killed while
coming into town on horseback. The nsur-
rectioniSts, by this time, finding general dis
position to resist them; had nearly all with
drawn within the Armory grounds, leaving
only guard on the bridge. About noon, the
Charleston troops, under command of Colonel
Robert w. Baylor, having crossed the river
some distance up, and marched down on the
Maryland side to the mouth of the bridge. fir.
ing volley, they made a gallant dash across
the bridge, clearing It of the insurrectionists,
who retreated rapidly down towards the Armo-
ry- In this movement one of the insurrec-
tioniSts, VIM. Thompson, was taken prisoner.
The Shepardstown troops next arrived and
marched down the Shenandoah side and Join
ed the Charlestown forces at the bridge. A
desultory exchange of shots followed, one OF
which struck Mr.. Fountain Beckman, Mayor
of the town and agent of the Railroad Compa-
ny, in the breast, passing entirely through his
body. The ball large elongated slug,
making dreadful wound. He died almost
Immediately. Beckman was without arms, and
was exposed only for moment whilst ap-
! preaching the water station. His assailant,
one of Browns sons, was shot almost immedi-
ateiy, but managed to get back into the engine
house, where his dead body was found to-day.
The murder of Mr.. Beckman excited the pop
ulace, and cry was Immediately made to
| bring out the prisoner Thompson. He was
brought cut on the bridge and shot down from
the bridge. He fell into the water, and some
appearance of life still remaining, lie was a.
gain ridded with balls.
Sharp fighting ensued, and at this time
general charge was made down the street from
the bridge towards the ArmOry gate, by the
Charlcstown and Shepardstown troops and the
Ferry people from behind the Armory wall.
\ fusiade was kept and returned by the in
surrectionistS from the Armory buildings.
W hist this was going on the MartinSburg le-
vles arrived at the upper end of the town, and
entering the armory grounds by the rear, made
an attack from that side. This force was large
ly composed of railroad employees, gathered
| from the tonnage trains at Martinsburg, and
their attack SnOEpu of ShOwiup the
greatest amount ofrfighting pluck exhibited
during the day. DaShing on, firing and cheer
ing, and gallantly led by Capt. Aburts, they
carried the building in which the armOry men
were imprisoned and released the whole OF
them. They were however, but poorly armed,
some with pistols and others with shot guns,
and when they came within range of the en-
gine house, where the elite of the insurrec-
tionists were gathered, and became exposed to
to the rapid and dexterous use of Sharpe's RI
fes, they were forced to fall back, suffering
pretty severely. Conductor Evan Dorsey, of
Baltimore, was killed instantly, and Conduc-
ter George Richardson received wonnd from
which he died during the day. Several 9TH
ers were wounded, among them q son of Dr.
Hammond, of Martinsbure.
a guerilla warfare was maintained during
the rest of the day, resulting in killing two
insurrectionists, and the wounding of third.
One crawed out through the culVert leading
into the Potomac, and attempted to cross to
the Maryla side, whether to escape or to
convey information to Cook, is not known.
He was shot while crossing the river and fell
dead on the rocks. An adventurous lad waded
out and secured his Sharpe's rifle, and his
body was afterwards stripped of portion of
its clothing. In one of his pockets was found
Captains commission drawn up in full form
and declaring that the bearer, Capt. Lehman,
held that command under Major Gen. Brown.
light mulatto shot just outside the
armory gate. The ball went through his
throat, tearing away all the great arteries, and
killing him instantly. His name is not known
but he was one of the free negroes who came
with Brown. His body was left exposed in
the street, up to noon yesterday, to every in
dignity that could be heaped upon it by the
excited populace. At this time a tall, power
fui man, named Evan Stephens, came out of
the armory, conducting some prisoners it was
said, and was shot twice in the side and breast
He was captured and taken to a tavern, and
after the lnsurrection was quelled, was turned
over TO the United States authorities, in dy-
ing condition.
During the afternoon, a sharp little affair
took place on the Shenandoah side of the
town. The insuTectionists had also seized
hairs Rlde works, and party of their as
sallants found their way in through the mill
race and dislodged them. In TINS encounter,
ii was SAID, three of the insurrectionists were
killed, but we found hnt one dead body-that
of a uecro-on that side OF the town.
Might by this time had set in, and the ope-
rations ceased. Guards were placed around
the Armory, and every precaution taken to
prevent escaped.
The night passed without serious alarms. but
not without excitement. The Marines march 4
ed over Immediately after the arrival of Col.
Lee, and were stationed within the Armory
grounds so as to completely surround the en-
ilyrc cbo