Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1859-10-22

Rror AND BLooD SnED AT HARrER's FERRY.
A riot, terrible 10 its consequences, took place
at Harpers Ferry, Va. the site Of The govern
ment armory The cause and object. Of the dis
turbance, aud the actors engaged in il, as well
as the stubbornness and sanguinary results, as
given in the telegraphc columns Of the Cleve-
land papers, while they startle us with their
boldness, confuse us by their foohardiness, and
want of intelligent object and aim. The story
is that dam was in the course Of construction
by the government, and by the fight Of the
contractor, a large number Of workmen were
swiudled out of their just dues. Government
funds were supposed TO be deposited at the ar
morery, which the rioters concluded to appro-
pirate, aud therefore took possession of the es-
tabshment, armed themselves, called to their
aid quantity of slaves and prepared for Wig
orous defence The Baltimore and Ohio r. II.
which runs through the place was obstructed
aud several were killed and wounded by the
skirmishng between the insurgents, the employ
ees of the road and the citizens. Cannon were
said to have been stationed at a Bridge near by
which the trains passed. The numbers of
blacks and whites engaged in this singular
transaction, is variously stated at from 200 and
upwards The leaders are said to have been
Ossawatamie Brown and sons. who had rented a
farm In the neighborhood Of the Ferry, aud
Capt Cook, and another by the name of Allen
Evans, formerly Of Connecticut, but more re-
Gently of Kansas Military companies from
Baltimore, and the more immediate Deghbor-
hood Of the Ferry were hurried together, and
the insurgents hemmed 10, and a succeful attack
ed made upon the armory which was carried
after an obstinate struggle in which number
were killed outright, or mortaly, and otherwise
wounded. Fifteen dead bodies have been found,
and among the wounded is John Brown, and
one of his sous, Cook with handful of the
insurgents, escaped towards Pennsylvania, but,
the thorough aud earnest arrangements for a
pursuit, will make their escape somewhat doubt
ful.
As we have said, the object Of this unfortu.
nate and foolhardy affair, is unaccountable ex-
cept upon the ground of mental ALTERATION or
monomania. Brown while in Kansas was goad-
ed by pro-savcry intolerance and cruelty be-
yond endurance, and the plotting of this enter
prise charitably points to the subversion of rea
son, and to selEdevotion to the single object of
vengeance-without balance TO save him from
the insane, indiscriminate and fool-hardy man.
ner of affecting it, which he has chosen.
Since Brown left Kansas, little has been heard
Of him, till now. This is now accounted for,
by his residence upon hired farm some -four
miles from this scene Of his madness, where he
has been living with his two sons under the as
sumed name of Smith, and his house is said to
have been place of rendezvous for such as
were either desrious OF, or willing to procure
an escape from slavery. Their error has been
grievous one, and they have grievously an
swered for it.
Tie Government has been commercially
prompt 10 putting down the disturbance, and
this commendable promptness stands in strong
contrast TO the criminal indifference to the claims
of humanity towards the citizens of Kansas,
where U. S. bayonets were only effective in pro-
tecting crime and oppression.
Later-Thursday's mail brought US another
instalment, and later news from the seat of COM
motion, which we conclude to copy nearly en-
tire, as light is thrown by it upon the plans of
Capt Brown. The numbers engaged in the en-
terprize as stated in the first dispatches we frd
we're much exaggerated.
Several slaves were found in the room
with the insurrectonists, but it is not be-
lieved they were there willingly. Indeed
Browns expectations as TO the slaves rush
ing to him was entirely disappointed. None
seemed to have gone to him willingly, and
in most cases were forced to desert their
masters, but one instance the slaves made
public appearance with arms in their hands,
is related.
A negro who had been sharply used by
one Of the town people when he found that
he had pike in his hand. used his brief au-
thority to arrest the citizens and have them
taken to the Armory.
During the previous night he spoke freely
to Col. Washington, and referring to his
sons, said he had lost one in Kansas and
two here. He had not pressed them to
join him the expedition, but did not regret
| tnSll lOoo' LhCJ hod N4Su III BIOIIOuS
cause.
The position Of the prisoners in the en-
gine house during the firing on Monday,
and at the moment Of the final attack was
a very trying one. Without any of the
incentives of combat, they had to risk the
balls of their friends, but happily they oil
escaped.
During Tuesday morning one of COL
Washington's negroes came in and report
ed that Capt. Cook was in the mountains,
only three miles off.
The Independent Greys of Baltimore,
Immediately started on scouting expedi-
tion, and in two hours returned with two
wagons loaded with arms and ammunition
found at Browns house.
A quantity of U. S. ammunition was al
so found.
How all these supplies were got up to this
farm without attracting observation is
strange. They are supposed to have been
brought through Pennsylvania.
The Grey's pursued Cook so fast that
they secured part of his arms, but with his
more perfect knowledge Of the localities he