Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-08-18

the gate, lifted the hinges and entered
The gate Waterman was taken prisoner
as also were the three other watehmen
around the armory.
''The other squad crossed the Shen.
andoah bridge from the direction Of
Loudoun and captured the rife factory,
o half mile distant. After taking both
factories, Brown took few men with
him and proceeded to Halltown, in JEFF.
ferson County, Va, the home of Colonel
Lewis Washington, granddaughter OF
George Washington Colonel Washing
ton was taken prisoner by Brown. The
latter also took from the house sword
formerly worn by General Washington
and buCkled it on his person. Browns
men hitched up team of six horses to
wagon, in which they rode back to the
ferry, having Colonel Washington in
charge. They also impressed several
negroes belonging to Colonel Washing
ton. On their way back they passed
the plantation Of Mr.. John Alstadt, q
noted farmer of that region. Several of
Mr.. Alstadts negroes were compelled to
join the party. By the time Brown
returned it was daylight and the work.
men were coming to the factories to
commence work As fast as they ar
rived the two squads captured them and
put them into the armory yard, enjoin-
ing them to keep quiet About two
hundred men were employed at the
works, but by the time seventy-tivc of
them had been captured by Browns
parties the extraordinary affair got win
ded abroad creating intense excitement.
The balance of the wOrkmen remained
athome or congregated at a distance in
excited knots.
about sunrise boy by the name of
Kittsmillar, son of the Armory Chief
Clerk, arrived just as ] was sitting down
to breakfast with my family. did not
have the least suspicion of any trouble,
and the news communicated to me was
great shock. On entering he ex-
claimed, Major, pa wants you to come
down Immediately; mob has taken
the armory.' put on my hat, and, &C
companied by the boy, walked quickly
toward the armory. Going down, met
the Chief Clerk and Mr.. Ball, Master
Machinist. inquired: Gentlemen
what is the matter 7"
"Mr. Kittsmillar replied: "A mob has
taken the armory, and ] think they are
Abolitionists."
81 told them it must be a lot of Irish
who had been at work on the dam, and
getting on spree, had concluded to
capture the works.
"Mr. Kittsmillar told me I was mis-
taken. walking down High street we
saw two men in the arsenal yards hay.
ing guns in their hands. One was y
white man, the other a mnlatto. Ball
asked me what we should be. Not sus-
pecting any harm, ] replied: Let's go
and SEQ what they want. We then went
into the arsenal yard, approached the
two armed men, and inquired what they
wanted. The negro touched Kittsmillar
on the shoulder and exclaimed You
are my prisoner The latter cursed the
fellow, and ordered him to keep his
hands off. The negro cooked his gun,
a sharp's rifle, leveled it, and said
Make another motion and / will blow
you through The two men then Or
dered us into the armory yard. As we
entered, Mr.. Ball said to man station
cd as guard at the gate: Who is your
commander The sentry pointed to an
old man with gray locks, STOPPING down
looking at something on the ground.
That is the man. said he. Brown, who
was quite near, heard the remark and
Strengthened up, exclaiming
"You have heard of John Brown, of
Kansasf
"Ball replied: 4 have
81 am that man. said Brown. 4
have come to free the negroes--peace
fully if can, forcibly if | must
every well, replied Ball.
Brown said: Gentlemen, you can
walk around the yard and enjoy your
selves. If either of you have q good
able-bodied negro ! will exchange you
for him.
eve replied we are not allowed to
have any negroes here We then ceas-
ed conversation with Brown.
"My wife, being u woman Of consid
cradle nerve, followed me down to the
armory. She went up to Brown, ac-
by my daughter Lizzie, and
asked him if she could send my break
fast.