New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-22
HARPERS FERRY ARSENALS AND FACT0-
RES BLOWN UP.
ESCAPE OF THE UNITED STATES TROOPS.
r..-..nnnhanrn Of The n Y. Trihnne.


Correspondence Of The N. Y. Tribune.
CBAsBERsBURG, April 49, 1861.
Our usualIy steady old town has been in fever Of
excitement, for several days Tic attack upon Fort
Sumter and the peri of the Capital have aroused
people thoroughly. Yesterday business was Prses-
cay Suspended 10 enroll and equip several companies
If volunteers. An immense pole was erected IN the
cen.er of tie town, the Stars and Stripes flung TO the
breeze AID go ready by night to march Tins
morning. A supper given them In the town bail
last evening and eight to-day they moved for Harris
burg.
The excitement had just began to abaea little when'
az one oeltck this afternoon several large omntnsses
Drove Into town, and company OF regular troops land
Ell at the railroad depot. They proved 70 he Liert'
Jones and his company Of regulars from Harper Fer
~ and they announced that they had fired the public
eictOries and blown up the arsenas at ten laft night
and made their escape. The spread IKE gidBre,
and our people gathered around them by hundreds and
cheer after cheer went up for tie brave fellows.
The facts, as gathered them from Lieut. Jones are
as follows: Several days ago, be was advised rom
headquarters that his post was in imminent danger,
and directing him TO be prepared for any emergency
Yesterday he had information from various sources
thai en- attack would be made upon the asena's lasi
night The militia Of the place who proiessed 10y atty,
resolved 10 dsband; the aboreIs, who were acting
guards manifested significant uneasinessi aspecial
train was known to be on the way TO the Ferry, ana
there was positive information OF BODIES Of troops, IN
all amounting to over 1000 men, having moved from
Winchester Charleston and other points toward The
Ferry. Early in the evening" the little gsrrison, con
sstne of but so men commenced the preparation 10
ensbe them TO destroy the arsenals and in Of
necessity. They cut up planks aud other tmbes with
their swords 10 ignite the buildings. They emPsied
sheir mattresses filed them with powder, and carried
them into the arsenas that suspicion was aroused
among the people. The arms, 1900 in humber, were
then placed in the best position to be destroyed by TIE
explosion and spnts Of boards and straw were piled
up in different places in the shops, 30 that all the
public buildings could be destroyed. At 3 o'clock,
Lieut.. Jones was advised of the advance Of
not less than 1000 men, who expected to be upon
turn Ly midnight, aud he at once proceeded to the
work OF destruction. The window and doors Of the
building were opened, that the flames could have
Zee couIse and when all was ready, the fires were
started in the carpenter shop, the trains leading to tie
powder igned, and biz marched out. The cry Of
fire alarmed the town, and Just Lieut. Jones and his
men were entering the lodge TO escape, an excited
crowd pursued him. threatening vengeance upon him
for hay ing fired tue buildings. He wheeled his men,
and declared ths, ess the crowd dspersed be would
fire upon them The mass fell back, and he fled mp the
canal and took to the woods Several shots fired
after him. but without effect. He not ont Of the
town over fifteen minutes when he heard the first
explosion and the light Of the burning buildings lit his
path as he escaped Dorhward He does lot doubt but
that the destruction of the arsenals sbops &c. ia
pete ss he heard the different explosions distinctly.
When he got out Of the town he found that four Of
hs men were not in ranks and be hears that they have
been captured and slain. He made burned march
for Hagerstown, wading streams and swamps' and
cached that place at O'Clock this morning. He al
oDeo procured omnbuses there, and reached this place
10 tine for the Afternoon eastward, and amid the
hearty cheers of large crowd Of people, departed
for Carlisle Barracks.
The trocps were covered with mud, and we're evil
IDENTIFY much exhausted M they had not esensnything
sftsr leaving Harpsrs Feny until they arrived at
Chambersburg. Here hey were promptly aud OoUn'i'
fully provided with provisions.