The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-11-24

that the barn OF Walter Shirley was destroyed
by fire yesterday morning, with $500 bushels
of wheat, &c.
EXCITING RUMORS FROM VIRGINIA.
On Saturday the residents of Charlestown and
Harpers Ferry, Va, were again thrown into a
state of great excitement alarm in consequence
of flying rumors to the effect that large body of
armed men were on the march to that vicinity,
with the view of rescuing the condemned in
fsurgents The intelligence of these rumors was
Immediately telegraphed to Alexandria and
Richmond at each of which places it created
the most intense excitement. We subjoin the
various dispatches received for portion of
which we are indebted to the Alexandra Ga
zette and Sentinel, extras, of yesterday noon.
Harpers Ferry, Noe. l9.-The indications
from report said by the best citizens to be re-
liable is, that we shall have serious work. COL
Davis has telegraphed for five hundred ad-
dltlonal men. j. MARSHALL.
II. c. WARD.
STATEMENT OF MR.. BIRRELL.
Mr.. John Birrell, of Alexandria, who went to
Charestown with the Mount Vernon Guards,
returned on Saturday evening, having left
Charestown that morning. He reports that
on the arrival of the Alexandria troops there
on Friday evening, Mr.. c. M. Castleman and
some other gentlemen of this place proceeded
to Clarke county, and returned the following
morning, stating that fight had occurred at
" Underwood's Farm" in Clarke county, be-
tween some citizens and party of strangers,
and that the Alexandria artillery were rein
forced in Winchester by forty men, and had
marched to the scene of the disturbances
When Mr.. Birrell arrived at Harpers Ferry on
his way to the place, he saw Mr.. Smith Crane,
who had Just reached there from the neighbor-
hood of Wheeling, where, he stated, he had in
cidentally overheard conversation between
some men who had organized band Of five
hundred to march to the release of Brown and
the other prisoners at Charlestown and he i'm
medately set out for Harper's Ferry to apprise
the inhabitants of the fact. Mr.. Birrell was one
of several who came to Alexandria to obtain
supplies of clothing, &C., for the Alexandria
military. He states that they would remain at
Charlestown until the execution ofthe prisoners.
1t was reported in this city on Saturday even
ing. that body of six hundred men, armed and
equipped, were marching from Wheeling to
Harper's Ferry, and that Gov. Wise had or
dered five hundred men to proceed at once from
Richmond to Charlestown.
Haper's Ferry, Noc. l9.-Charlestown is all
qsiet, but military forces are augmenting. The
barns, stacks, yards, and implements, amount
ing to several thousand dollars, of John Burns,
George II. Tate, and Mr.. Shirley-all of whom
were jurors in the recent trials-have been
burned.
Hon. Andrew Hunter processes to be con-
WINGED that an attempt will be made to rescue
the prisoners and a letter from Urbana, Ohio,
addressed to Brown, written in cipher, which
has been deciphered, tells him to keep in good
spirits, that his friends are mastering, and will
drop along one at a time.
Rumors are circulating that armed men are
crossing or have crossed the river from Ohio,
at or near Wheeling, but this needs confrrna.
ton.
MOVEMENT OF TROOPS.
Richmond, Nor. l9.-Troops will leave for
Charlestown tomorrow morning. Much ex-
element exists here. Gov. Wise has late dis
patches from Col. Davis.
Richmond, Nor. 1910 p Mt is under
stood that the troops are leaving here on an
extra train, which will arrive at Aqua Creek in
time to reach Washington in the morning.
The excitement has not subsidized.
FROM CHARLEsTowN.
Letters were received at Alexandria on Sat
urday, from Winchester, giving an account of
the arrival of Major Duffey's artillery company
there. The people along the line to Winchester
the arrival of the artillery. The Mount Vernon
Guards and Alexandria Rihemen arrived at
Charlestown In good time; all well. Several
of the valley volunteer companies have pro-
ceeded to the scene Of excitement. The coun-
ties of Clarke and Jefferson will probably be
strictly 'examined by the military.
A quantity of arms and ammunition was
sent up the Orange and Alexandra railroad
yesterday morning, for distribution among the
companies in the counties through
which the road passes.
Private letters received at Alexandria yester-
day morning, from Charlestown, state that
the widest excitement prevailed there, and
rumors of armed bodies of troops being on
the march to Charlestown, to rescue the pris-
oners, were being constantly put in circula.
ton. There was, however, nothing of tan
gible shape. The troops were all well and
in good spirits. They were kept always in
state of preparation for any emergency. 1t is
reported that the volunteer companies will be
kept at Charlestown until after the execution.
STATEMENT FROM A RELIABLE CITIZEN OF HAIR
PERs FERRY.
To the Agent Of the Associated Press:
Hayper's Ferry, Nor. 1911 p M-Vari-
Gus rumors have been afoat here to-day as, to
the approach of body of armed men from
Ohio, in the direction of Wheeling. The re-
spectacle source from which the report origin
ated has created some excitement about
but there is none here. Our
people are very quiet not expecting any at
tempt at a rescue of the prisoners; nor do they
fear any, however formidable, because they are
prepared for any emergency.
The numerous fires about Charlestown have
induced the citizens to anticipate some annoy
ance; hence they are more easily excited but
no one is at all afraid of the result even if an
attempt should be made Col. Davis has made |
the most ample provision for any number of the.
enemy who may make call. I learn that
more troops are being demanded from the Gov
ernor, but this may be as much to protect the |
prisoners from the populace as anything else.
There is, as far as / can learn, no cause to APP
prehend danger.