Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-05-07
Affairs at Harper,s Ferry.

The 18th of April, says the Oharlestown Free
Press, proved another great event In the history
of Harper's Ferry. A rumor was in circulation
that several thousand Northern men were to ar
rive on that day to take control of the United
States Arrnory. This rumor created much ex-
element, and caused the calling out of the End
Regiment of Volunteers, under Col. Allen. This
report, however, was not sustained by fact
On Thursday morning Col. A. M. Barbour,
member of the State Convention from Jefferson
county, and John Seddor, Esq, member of the
Legislature from Stafford county, arrived there
and stated that the Convention had passed an
Ordinance of Secession, and that the Governor
of Virginia had ordered the Volunteers out for
the purpose of repeling the Federal authorities
in the event of an effort to reinforce the com
mand already there, and that Virginia intended
taking possession of the A-mory, &c.
| This caused much excitement, as the citizens
of that place were under the impression that an
unlawful seizure of the property was to be made,
and were determined to oppose the supposed IN
vasion. In the meantime, however, troops were
gathering from all parts of the Valley and Lieut..
Jones, commander of the Federal forces who had
been stationed for several months a. Harper's
Ferry, finding that be would be compelled to e.
vacuate, commenced his preparations fol. the de
struction of the property. i. i. ..s.,.u. .,....a
A Mr.. Kingsbury, member of the Ordnance
department, had been some 80 hours before sent
4 there as Superintendent in place of Col. Barbour
who had resigned. He and Lieut.. Jones had beer
busily engaged in their designs for the destruc-
tion of the property. The operatives were di
!, lrected to leave the shops, with the assurance
: that they should. resume work the next day.
The gates leading to the Armory were then clos
ed upon them, and sentinels posted, whilst thu
superintendent and Lieut.. Jones employed thei
forces in removing foot bridges, from the cana
TO prevent ingress, and preparing for blowing III
r the buildings by placing kegs and sacks of pow
t lder in them. This was done without the knowl
= edge of those outside, Powder was conveyed il
-tbed ticks to the Arsenal buildings, whilst grea
: Quantities had been scattered over the floors o
o the shops, and barrels of it placed in such posi-
D ton as to demolish the entire establishment
i we'll as destroy those who might approach. -.
is After this, they placed sentinels some two o
l. three miles at different points to watch the ap
d proach of the Virginia forces en- route for tn
= Ferry. sentinel hailed COL Allen and hi
y command, and when the Col. ordered to charg
n upon him, he rode off rapidly, and before til
q Regiment reached the Ferry, Lieut. Jones ha!
10 fired the buildings, and lie and the Superintend
= fent made tracks for Pennsylvania. The two Ar
is senal buildings with about Il, 900 guns were dc
1t Istroyed. Only portion Of one of the shop
was injured, although deep laid plan had bee
As made to destroy the entire Armory: The whet
}; for forcing the water was placed in operation
ot and-by the great exertion of the citizens an
10 military, the flames were prevented spreading
IS although at much risk Of life, as trains of pow
IN der had been spread in every direction. The fl
le tbroke out about 10 O'Clock on Thursday plight.
df Had the scheme of Lieut.. Jones succeeded
to] thereis no telling the loss Of life which .woul
l. have ensued: Hundreds, perhaps, would hav
- fbeen killed or wounded in the explosion whie
he contemplated. .. -, ~. -. -.
IL Several Thousand guns were RotiBjured, an
ct are in possession of Virginia. - $500 : =
asE The greater portion Of the Machinery Of th
70 tArmory has been taken down and removed. j
la short time the,s shops will present nothing br
u Ian open space-and stand as monument of til
:. fpast It is to be regretted that such move wa
= tmade, as one company of volunteers might hay
in been armed eue'y Gay. ~ - -. - ------ =.