The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-19

"St sns was gong on me Martnsburg ieyies arrived
at the upper end Of the town, and entering the armory
grounds by the rear, made attack from that side This
force was largely composed of railroad employees gathered
from the tonnage trains at Martnsburg and their attack
was generally spoken Of showing the greatest
Of fighting pluck exhibited during the day Dash
ing on, firing and cheering, and galanty led by
Captain Aburtu,, they carried the building in
which the armory were imprisoned aud
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 engine
house, where the elite Of the insurrectionists were
gathered and were exposed TO their rapid aud
use Of Sharpes rifles, they forced to fall back sur
fering pretty severely Conductor Evan Dorsey Of Bal
more, was killed instantly Conductor Geo. Richard
son received wound from which he died during the
Cay. Several others wounded among them son
OF Or. Hammond, OF Martinsburg
Aguerla warfare was maintained during the rest ofhe
day. resulting in the killing Of two Of the insurgents and
the woundng Of third One crawed out through cul-
vert leading into the Potomac and attempted
the Maryland side, whether with the view Of escaping
conveying 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 sharp
rifle The body was afterwards stripped of part Of It's
clothing In one Of his pockets was found captain
commission drawn up in full FORM and declaring that the
bearer, Captain Lahman, held that commission under
Major General Brown.
light muatto was shot just outside the arory gate
the ball went through the throat tearing away the prn
opal arteries and killing him instantly His name is not
known but he one Of the free negroes who came with
Brown. His body was LEFT in the street until noon yes
terday exposed to every ndgny that could be heaped
upon II by the excited popuace.
At this time tall, athletic man. named Evan Stephens
came out from the armory, conducting prisoners,
1t was said He twice shot, the side and once
in the breast He was then captured and taken to a
tavern and after the instruction queed was turned
over to the United States authorities in dying condition
During the afternoon sharp little affair took place
the Shenandoah side Of the town. The insurrectonss
had also seized the balls Of the rife works. and party
Of their assailants found their way in through mill race
and dsoged them. In this rencontre, IL said, three
insurrectioniss killed. but found but one dead
body-that Of negro-on that side Of the town.
Night by this time had set in, and operations ceased.
Guards were placed around the armory and every pre-
caution taken TO prevent escapes. At eleven o'clock the
Monday night train with Baltimore military and marines
arrived at Sandy Hook where they waited for the arrival
of Colonel Iec deputzed by the War Department to take
the command.
The reporters pressed on, eaving their military allies
behind They found the bridge in the possession Of the
military, and entered the beseged town without difficulty,
the occasional report Of gun or singing motion Of
Sharps rifle ball warning them that it was advisable
keep themselves out fhe range Of the Armory The first
visit made to the bedside Of Stephens wounded
prisoner. They found him TO be a large, exceedingly
athletic man, perfect Samson in appearance. He was
in small room, filed with excited armed men, who
more than once threatened to shoot him whore he lay
groanipg with pain, but answering with COM
md rillp ctfnv
relation to the fray in which he was engaged.
He said he was native of Connecticut but had lately
lived in Kansas where he knew Capt Brown he had also
served in the United States Army The sole object Of his
attempts to give the negroes freedom and Brown bad
represented that they seized the armory the
negroes would flock to them by thousands and they
would have force enough accomplish their purpose
for which he would sacrifice his e but he said he
thought Brown had been greatly deceived. He said that
preparations had been making for months for q
movement, but that the whole force consisted OF
teen white men and FIVE negroes
This statement repeated without variation by all
the prisoners with whom conversed, all agreed "a
the number in the movement and as to its objects which
some called the work Of philanthropy.
is said that the affair at Harpers Ferry the first
case which has ever occurred in this country involving
at the time both State and Federal jurisdiction
General Government interested with regard to publ
property, il having exclusive control over arsena
grounds independently of the State and also with regard
TO the nails.
Already in distinguished quarters the question Of jnrs
dicton is discussed, Governor Wise WILL IT is said
claim the prisoners held by the United States troops
TO be dealt with according the laws Of Virginia In this
the question OF jurisdiction will have to deter
mined by the Judiciary.
Lewis Leary, negro shot at the rifle MILL stated that
he enlisted with Capt Brown for the instruction fair
held u Lorraine county, Ohio and received the money
pay his expenses They all down Chambersburg
Pa and from there they travelled the country
Browns farm
The night passed without serious alarms, hut not with
ont excitement. The marines were marched over i'm
medately after their arrival, when Col. Lee stationed
them within the arnory grounds to completely sur
round the engine house. Occasionally shos were fired
by country volunteers but what for was not ascerned
There only return fire from the insurgents.
The broken telegraph repaired through the
excrtons Of Superintendent weservel and Tacott whe
accompanied the expedition. The announcement that
communication opened with Baltimore gave the press
representatives ABUNDANT employment. There no
beds to be had and daylight awaited with anxiety
It's earies. gmrses awaited of to survey the
visit to the different localities in which the corpses of
the insurrcctoniss lying stark and bloody, peep
close off, according the courage Of the observer
at the Maakof Of the insurgents, the established
der of sight SEEING varied with discussion of all sorts Of
terrible rumors.
The building in which the insurgents had made their
stand the fire engine house. and doubt the most
defensible building in the Armory. has dead brick
walls three sdes and the fourth large doors with
window sashes above, eight feet from the ground
dead stiffness surrounded the buildings, and, except
that and then might be seen peepng from the
nearly closed door, end dogs slightly prorudng,
there sign Of life much less of hostility, given
Various opinions given to the number Of por-
sons Within and the amount Of resistance they would be
able to offer.
The could not be used without endangerng the
safety of Colonel Washington, Mr. Dangerneld Mr. Ball
and other citizens, whom they sti held prisoners The
and walls of the building Ind been ncrced for