THE LATEST NEWS,
RECEIVED BY
MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH.
INSURRECTION AT HARPER'S FERRY.
Abolitionists and Slaves in Arms.
THE ARMORY SEIZED.
Trains Stopped—Citizens Shot.
THE TOWN IN THE INSURGENTS' HANDS.
TROOPS ORDERED DOWN.
GREAT EXCITEMENT AT WASHINGTON.
Special Dispatch to The N.Y. Tribune
WASHINGTON, Monday, Oct. 17, 1859.
Col. Lee of the Cavalry U.S.A. is now in conference with the President and Secretary of War, having come in through a pelting rain from his estate at Arlington, upon the summons in person of Capt. Williams, Assistant-Adjutant General. Col. Lee is doubtless to take command of the three companies of U.S. soldiers ordered up from Fort Monroe, and which will be in Baltimore to-morrow morning. A detachment of eighty marines leave here this day for Baltimore, and carry with them two howitzers.
Neither the Secretary of War nor the Secretary of the Navy know the precise character of the insurrection—dispatches to them simply stating the general fact, that negroes, backed by two or three hundred whites, have possession of the Armory, and that men in the Armory are supposed to be accomplices.
As I write, I hear that the Mayor of Alexandria telegraphs that many slaves have suddenly absented themselves—a fact which gives color to the belief that the difficulty at Harper's Ferry has arisen from collisions in attempts to arrest fugitive slaves.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 1859—10 p.m.
Word is dropped in official quarters, since the sending of my last dispatch, that the rioting at Harper's Ferry probably proceeds from parties dissatisfied with Government control at the Armory and the public improvements going on there; also, that persons having grievances against the Railroad are implicated.
On the other hand, it is stated on high authority that the Secretary of War received some months since an anonymous letter, predicting a negro insurrection in that quarter, led on by whites, and that there would be like outbreaks at Wheeling and Washington. Here the reports have given rise to apprehensions of negro insurrection which are based upon things that ordinarily would not be noticed. But the President has approved steps on the part of Mayor Berret, for arming the police and for having the military on the alert. Accordingly, muskets and ammunition have been transferred from the Government Arsenal to the City Hall.
Maj. Russell, Paymaster of the Marine Corps, accompanies the detachment which left this city in command of Lieut. Green. The Hon. C.J. Faulkner also went with them, avowing an intention of leading the marines into the town of Harper's Ferry to-night. The Secretary of the Navy and his chief clerk, Mr. Welch, were at the cars when the marines left.
It is stated that Col. Magruder's command at Newport is under orders to move in this direction.
_______________
To the Associated Press.
BALTIMORE, Monday, Oct. 17, 1859.
A dispatch just received here from Frederick, and dated this morning, states that an insurrection has broken out at Harper's Ferry, where an armed band of Abolitionists have full possession of the Government Arsenal. The express train going east was twice fired into, and one of the railroad hands and a negro killed, while they were endeavoring to get the train through the town. The insurrectionists stopped and arrested two men, who had come to town with a load of wheat, and seizing their wagon, loaded it with rifles, and sent them into Maryland. The insurrectionists number about 250 whites, and are aided by a gang of negroes. At last accounts fighting was going on.
The above is given just as it was received here. It seems very improbable, and should be received with great caution, until confirmed by further advices.
A later dispatch received at the railroad office, says the affair has been greatly exaggerated. The reports had their foundation in a difficulty at the Armory, with which negroes had nothing to do.
BALTIMORE, 1 o'clock.
It is apprehended that the affair at Harper's Ferry is more serious than our citizens seem willing to believe. The wires from Harper's Ferry are cut, and consequently we have no telegraphic communication beyond Monocacy Station. The southern train, which was due here at an early hour this morning, has not yet arrived. It is rumored that there is a stampede of negroes from this State. There are many other wild rumors, but nothing authentic as yet.
The dispatches from Harpers Ferry continue for another column and a half of the Tribune.Back to Table of Contents Back to Opening Page
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