Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-10-23

of the bridge was suddenly challenged, and com
nanCied TO stand or die. Four five white men
raised their rifles and poiated them at me. One Of
them tried to get my lantern. turned and ran, and
they fred upon me, escaped without injury.
The otheI Waterman shortly made his appear
ance and stated 70 conductor Phelps that he had
been seized about 90 O'Clock, and locked up in the
guard house at the other end OF the bridge and that
he had Just made his escape.
Conductor Phelps aud the baggage-master, Crom-
we'll then catered the bridge, and had hardly got
halt way through when they were commanded to
stand and three white men ievelled rifles at them.
They then retreated back and were fired upon, but
were not injured.
A colored man named Hayward Sheppard, who is
employed by the railroad company TO attend to the
baggage at Barper's Ferry took of his shoes and
made an attempt to get through the bridge to see
what was ssoing on at the armOries but he dis
covered about the time Phelps and Cromwell were
fired upon and they also fired upon the negro One
of the balls took effect in his back going through
his body, and coming out of the nipple of his left
| breast.
At first conductor Phelps was at loss how to
act, and concluded to send person to the VI
entity OF the Ferry to ascertain the cause OF the
proceeding, when the leader of the party-a man Of
rather prepossessing appearance, and supposed to
be nearly sixty years OF age-appeared, and stated
| that he preferred holding communication with the
| conductor. Mr.. Phelps went over alone, and was
told by the same man that he and his party had de-
teInned not to allow another train paes over the
road. but they would give him five 10 ten minutes to
| get his train through
In the meantime, other persons from the train ven
tured to the bridge over the Ferry, and soon
coming into contact with the rioters (who We're re
puted at about two hundred in number, half of
| whom seemed to be black of the party, pas
senger, was captured. The train delayed by the
proceedings until half past six O'Clock, when steam
was raised and they reached the Camden station at
noon to-day.
Upon the train leaving. Mr.. Phelps was partieu
~ requested by the leader OF the gang TO state % the
Saperinten lent of the road, that under circun-
stances Weuid another train be permitted to pass
| HaTpers Ferry During the night large twOhorse
wagon, laden with wheat, came in from one of the
neighhoring counties Of the State. The rioters inn
mediaely seized the driver, took possession Of the
wheat and loading the vehicle with weapons from
| the arpOFy, sent it back up the country.
The engineer states that he took particular notice
| of the crowd which he thinks numbered at least
three hundred persons; that amongst them were sew
eral strapping negroes, Who occasionally shouted
out that they longed for liberty, they had been in
to be named Anderson made his appearance at llar-
Pers Ferry five SIX days ago and since that time
has been driving around the place in elegant ba-
rouche drawn by two horses.
These officers report that tho United States Armo-
| ry and the neighboliag country have heen taken
possession Of by the rioters, all of whom are well
| armed with short rifles and other United States
| arms. When the WOPkmen of the armory repaired
| there for the purpose ofresuming work. they were
seized by the parties, forcibly dragged within the
| gates and imprisoned.
Number Of the parties proceeded tn the proprie-
tors of the hotel near the armory and in author
tatve tone QrdeIed hIeaktast for fifty sixty per-
sons adding that they We're determined to keep pos
session Of the place; and live in the best manner