Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-12-25


IRttons--Gen. RoGecrans and Cow
PeIrPoInt ON the stand.
The Court met at few minutes past
nine.
In reference to the matter of the storage
of powder in the Custom House,
Gen. Rosecrans said That powder in
barrels or in kegs should not be keptin the
Custom House. In all cases the Govern
ment is exceedingly careful in the manage
ment of powder in these forms, and the
greatestprecaution should always be taken.
In the fixed ammunition, such as he had
consented to have stored in the house,
there was no more danger than there would
be in an equal quantity of dry goods. The
General said he had ordered no powder in
kegs or in barrels to be stored in the Gus
tom House, and 1t would be desirable at
present to have the cartridges remain
where they are.
In reference to the storage of powder in
kegs in the building, and the sale of the
same,
Micheal Reilly was sworn and stated !:
There was a magazine belonging to him in
an easterly direction from the city, capable
of containing 10, 600 kegs of powder. Mr.
Hornbrook bought some seven or eight
hundred kegs of powder from witness for
the State Government, which he (witness)
had delivered from his magazine from time
to time upon the order of Mr.. Hornbrook.
Mr. John Nolan was sworn and stated:
BE had been buying his powder from List,
Morrison & Co., but since that firm had
been refused permit, he had bought it
from Mr.. Hornbrook. BE had seen FIVE or
six kegs of powder in the Custom House
in Hornbrook's ofice-at one time; at
other times three and four kegs. He went
to Mr.. Hornbrook to get his powder, be-
cause he couldn't get it anywhere else
He would have bought his powder else
where, but those from whom be had been
in the habit of purchasing the article, said
that Mr. Hornbrook had refused to give
them permits.
Gen. Wheat, who appeared for Mr..
Hornbrook, asked the object of this singu-
lar examination, saying that Mr.. Hornbrook
answered to the rule that there was no
DOwQer IN tue SuSlOLh S4SGPS IA
cartridges. Gen. Wheat stated the reason
why permits had been. Withheld from Mr..
Reilly to bring powder to the city was be-
cause he had voted for the Ordinance of
Secession and still maintained the right of
Secession. Mr.. Morrison testified that Mr..
Hornbrook had sold powder at higher rates
than he had sold it. Witness stated that
Ir. Hornbrook had refused to give him
permits to bring powder from abroad.
Mr.. Woodward, of the firm, of Baily,
Woodward Co., was sworn. Witness
said he was Union man. He had bought
powder from Mr.. Hornbrook. Mr.. Horn
brook was selling the powder for the Gov
ernor. Witness went to the Governor and
the Governor admitted that Hornbrook was
acting for him. Mr.. Hornbrook gave him
permits to bring powder to the city for his
own use but not for sale.
Mr.. James Warden stated that he had
purchased powder from Mr. Hornbrook, and
had taken it from the door of the Custom
House Five dollars and quarter and
five and halt were the usual prices, but
Mr.. Hornbrook sold it ut six dollars per
keg. In consequence of this advance in
powder, the coal diggers had threatened to
strike, and serious interruptions had been
occasioned.
Jacob Warden said he had bought three..or
four kegs of powder from Mr.. Hornbrook
for So, and 1915. He got the powder out
of the Custom House. The usual price
was three and half and four dollars.
A. W. Campbell had seen kegs of powder
carried into the house; it was the common
report and acknowledgment around the
building that there was powder in the
building. He had seen enough powder in
the house to blow the buildingup He had
protested to Mr.. Hornbrook against using
the building as magazine and Mr.. Horn
brook replied that Gen. Rocecrans had or
dered him to store the powder in the Gus
tom house. Mr.. Hornbrook had ipstruc-
lions from Washington in reference to arti-
Giles contrabaud of war; Mr.. Hornbrook
was very prudent and careful man.
Mr.. Hornbrook here submitted his in
structions from Headquarters in reference
to the powder, ammunition and general con-
traband business.
Gov Pierpoint was called. He said he
mustknow what the subject was before the
The rule against Mr.. Hornbrook was
Gen. Wheat said he would again repeat
that Mr.. lIornbrook had answered to the
rule that there was no powder in the
house.
The Court intimated in reply that the
powder had been removed during the night.
Governor Pierpoint stated that Mr.. Horn