The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1861-07-09
A Visit to Harper's Ferry.


A correspondent of the Milwaukee WIS
consin, writing from Hagerssown, June 23d,
gives the following narrative OF 'islt.to llar-
per's Ferry
secured something to eat, and started all
alone to reconnoitre matters and things about
Harpor's Ferry. | found on the Maryland
side, some ten persons black and white. A
skiff lay in the river, and inquired if could
be carried across, and was told Eyes, on pay
ing ten cents" None Of those near me would
converse with me, or answer my questions,
except with great reluctance. | concluded to
take my chances, and over | went, and land.
cd in an opening in the shore, which at this
place is built up close to tho water with a wall
some thirty feet high. At this point stands
the hotel, in which found the landlord and
two ether persons.
inquired my way to the Engine House,
the scene of the John Brown tragedy, and
was informed it was round the house, and
close by. Near tho engine house | found
two persons, one Of them proved to be deaf
and dumb, the other, poor, depraved specl-
men Of humanity, loafer and sot. lie
seemed chatty, aud as soon as | had establish
ed myself somewhat in his confidence, he
talked "Union" quito strong, and censured
the Confederates for their wanton destruction
of tho magnificent property, the ruins Of
which stood terribly painful before us. Sup
pose drink Of whisky would be the most ac
ceptablc remuneration | could offer him for
the Information he had given me, sugges ed
that was quito thirsty, would he please to
join me in a drink. The proposition proved
rs acceptable as had anticipated, and we
wended our way TO Gilapidated looking
building, which Lad the appearance Of being
closed, but my guide understood TIE ropes,
and gained an entrance; We found two more
seedy individuals and the proprietor. stood
treat for the whole beyy, aud left the house
with my new acq iaintsuce and turned down
to where the magnificent bridge once stood.
On looking into the river rom The end OF the
iron portion Of tho bridge which still exists,
being nearly one complete span, | aw in the
bed Of the river, fist class railroad locomo-
tive, which the secessionists had run off from
the bridge tho day previous; there it stood,
upright, as if ready for use, and apparently
but little injured At the samo time they
burned the wooden bridge which formerly
spanned the Shenandoah river, and the rifle
factory which they had not destroyed when
they evacuated the place.
COME NEAR GETTING INTO HORNETS NEST.
On inquirng of my companion for the To-
caliiy Of the latter, he pointed up the Shen-
andoah, and said it was up there near quar-
ter Of mile. thanked him for the informa
ton he had given me, and left him standing
in the street. | had proceeded about two
blocks on my way up stream, when | heard
footsteps behind me; turned round and found
he was following me. | instinctiyely got my
revolver in such position as would enable me
10 take it from my pocket quickly, and wait
ed his approach, He carno up close to me
slowly and slinkiugly, and after looking round
cautiously; said, "Stranger. if | wds you
wouldn't 90 up there" The mans express
sion and manner were so significant that in
stantly abandoned my Intentions and at once
retraced my steps to tho boat aud crossed
over again to the Maryland shore. That
mans expression Of countcnancc when he said
"was you" will never bo effaced from my
memory. On tho Maryland side the rocks
are almost perpendicular and in some places
actually ovcrhans the road; on the very sum-
nit Of which the Confederates had planted
two cannon.
These localities ! wished TO examine, and
ascortained could find winding path up to
them about 900 yards on the way TO Sandy
Hook. The effort to climb up in the after
noon sun of very hot day tried my courage.
But bad come long way TO sec the ee.
phant and it would never do to back out
SO all alone / went up slowly you may be
sure, resting every few steps.
About half way up found n GLORIOUS cool
spring Of water gushing out from the rocks.
Talk of nectar; tho best ever manufactured
for the gods was nowhere compared with
draught of this water under such circumstan-
ces. Here took good long rest, and start
el again, scrambling and climbing, putting
and resting, sweating and brolling until con-
quered the ascent aud stood with a scene be-
fore me that amply repaid me for the almost
superhuman effort had just made. Cn the
summit arc about forty rude huts and one
large structure--ior what purpose the latter
was erected | could not understand. From
the overbanging rock about half way up tho
mountain, could, with MIME rifle, kill any
person to be seen on the Virginia side at Har.
per's Ferry. II one person Of the scores o.
men hanging round the Maryland side, and
who belong to the other side, but say they
dare not cross over for fear of being impressed,
had the courage OF a true man, he could from
this point drive every scccssioHlst out of the
place, or at least compel them to confine
themselves to tho upper part Of the town.