Welsh of Harpers Ferry

Evidence Category: The Shepherdstown Register

  • Conversation with Capt. Brown.

    Several of the Reporters who visited Harper’s Ferry last week availed themselves of an opportunity to be present at an interview which Mr. Senator Mason, of Virginia, and the Hon. Mr. Faulkner, also of Virginia, and Mr. Vallandigham, of Ohio, had with Capt. Brown and Capt. Stevens, two of the conspirators who were wounded and taken prisoners. The conversation is thus reported:

    Mr. Mason. Can you tell us who furnished money for your expedition?
    Mr. Brown. I furnished most of it myself. I cannot implicate others. I could have escaped.
    Mr. Mason. You mean if you had escaped immediately?
    Mr. Brown. No; I had the means to make myself secure without any escape, but I allowed myself to be surrounded by a force by being too tardy.
    Mr. Mason. If you would tell us who sent you here–who provided the means– that would be information of some value.
    Mr. Brown. I will answer freely and faithfully about what concerns myself. I will answer anything I can with honor, but not about others.
    Mr. Vallandigham. Did you get up the expedition yourself?
    Mr. Brown. I did.
    Mr. Vallandigham. Did you get up this document that is called a constitution?
    Mr. Brown. I did. They are a constitution and ordinance of my own contriving and getting up.
    Mr. Vallandigham. How long have you been engaged in this business?
    Mr. Brown. From the breaking out of the difficulties in Kansas. Four of my sons had gone there to settle, and they induced me to go. I did not go there to settle, but because of the difficulties.
    Mr. Mason. How many are engaged with you in this movement? I ask these questions for your own safety.
    Mr. Brown. Any questions that I can honorably answer I will, not otherwise. So far as I am myself concerned I have told everything truthfully. I value my word, sir.
    Mr. Mason. How do you justify your acts?
    Brown. I think, my friend, you are guilty of a great wrong against God and humanity. I say that without wishing to be offensive. It would be perfectly right for any one to interfere with you, so far as to free those you wilfully and wickedly hold in bondage. I do not say this insultingly.
    Mr. Mason. I understand that.
    Brown. I think I did right, and that others will do right who interfere with you at any time, and all times. I hold that the golden rule, do unto others as you would that others do unto you, applies to all who would help others to gain their liberty.
    Mr. Vallandigham. Where did your men come from? Did some of them come from Ohio?
    Brown. Some of them.
    Mr. V. Have you been in Ohio this summer?
    Brown. Yes, sir.
    Mr. V. How lately?
    Brown. I passed through Pittsburgh on my way in June.
    Mr. V. Were you at any county or State fair there?
    Brown. I was not there since June.
    Mr. Mason. Did you consider this a military organization in this paper? (showing a copy of the so-called constitution and ordinance.) I have not read it.
    Brown. I did in some measure. I wish you would give that paper your close attention.
    Mr. M. You considered yourself the commander-in-chief of this provisional military force?
    Brown. I was chosen, agreeably to the ordinance of a certain document, commander-in-chief of that force.
    Mr. M. What wages did you offer?
    Brown. None.
    Lieut. Stuart. The wages of sin is death.
    Brown. I would not have made such a remark to you if you had been a prisoner and wounded in my lands.
    Mr. Vallandigham. Were you ever in Dayton, Ohio?
    Brown. Yes, I have been there.
    Mr. V. This summer?
    Brown. No. A year or two since.
    Mr. Mason. Does this talking annoy you at all?
    Brown. Not in the least.
    Mr. Vallandigham. Have you lived long in Ohio?
    Brown. I went there in 18[?]5. I lived in Summit count, which was then Trumbull county. My native place is York state.
    Mr. V. Do you recollect a man in Ohio named Brown, a noted counterfeiter.
    Brown. I do. I knew him from a boy. His father was Henry Brown, of Irish or Scotch descent. The family was very low.
    Mr. V. Have you ever been in Portage county.
    Brown. I was there in June last.
    Mr. V. When in Cleveland did you attend the Fugitive Slave Law Convention there?
    Brown. No! I was there about the time of the sitting of the court to try the Oberlin rescuers. I spoke there publicly on that subject. I spoke on the fugitive slave law and of my own rescue. Of course so far as I had any preference at all I was disposed to justify the Oberlin people for rescuing the slave, because I have myself forcibly taken slaves from bondage. I was concerned in taking eleven slaves from Missouri to Canada last winter. I think I spoke in Cleveland before the Convention. I do not know that I had any conversation with any of the Oberlin rescuers. I was sick part of the time I was in Ohio. I had the ague. I was part the time in Ashtabula county.
    Mr. V. Did you see anything of Joshua R. Giddings there?
    Brown. I did meet him.
    Mr. V. Did you consult with him?
    Brown. I did. I would not tell you, of course, anything that would implicate Mr. Giddings, but I certainly met with him and had a conversation with him.
    Mr. V. About that rescue case?
    Brown. Yes, I did. I heard him express his opinion upon it very freely and frankly.
    Mr. V. Justifying it?
    Brown. Yes, sir. I do not compromise him in saying that.
    A bystander. Did you go out to Kansas under the auspices of the Emigrant Aid Society?
    Brown. No, sir. I went under the auspices of Old John Brown, and nobody else’s.
    Mr. V. Will you answer this? Did you talk with Giddings about your expedition here?
    Brown. No, sir; I won’t answer that because a denial of it I could not make; and to make affidavit of it I would be a great dunce.
    Mr. V. Have you had any correspondence with parties at the North on the subject of this movement?
    Brown. I have had correspondence.
    Bystander. Do you consider this a religious movement?
    Brown. It is in my opinion the greatest service a man can render to his God.
    Bystander. Upon what principle do you justify your act?
    Brown. By the golden rule. I pity the poor in bondage; that is why I am here; it is not to gratify any personal animosity or feeling of revenge or vindictive spirit. It is my sympathy with the oppressed and wronged, that are as good as you, and as precious in the sight of God.
    Bystander. Certainly; but why take the slaves against their will?
    Brown. (warmly.) I never did.
    Bystander. You did in one instance at least.
    Stevens, (to the inquirer, interrupting Brown.) You are right, sir; in one case I know the negro wanted to go back. (To Brown.) Captain the gentleman is right.
    Bystander, (to Stevens.) Where did you come from?
    Stevens. I lived in Ashtabula county, Ohio.
    Mr. Vallandigham. How recently did you leave Ashtabula county.
    Stevens. Some months ago. I never resided there any length of time. I have often been through there.
    Mr. V. How far do you live from Jefferson?
    Brown. (to Stevens.) Be very cautious, Stevens, about an answer to that; it might commit some friend. I would not answer it all.
    Stevens, (who had been groaning considerably, as if the exertion necessary to conversation seriously affected him,) seemed content to abide by “my captain’s” decision. He turned over and was silent.
    Mr. V., (to Brown.) Who were you advisers in this movement?
    Brown. I have numerous sympathizers throughout the entire North.
    Mr. V. In Northern Ohio?
    Brown. No more there than anywhere else in all the free States.
    Mr. V. But you are not personally acquainted in Southern Ohio?
    Brown. Not very much.
    Mr. V. Were you at the Convention last June?
    Brown. I was. I want you to understand, gentlemen, that I respect the rights of the poorest and weakest of colored people oppressed by the slave system, just as much as I do those of the most wealthy and powerful. That is the idea that has moved me, and that alone. We expected no reward; we expected the satisfaction of endeavoring to do for them in distress— the greatly oppressed— as we would be done by. The cry of distress and of the distressed is my reason, and the only one, that impelled me.
    Bystander. Why did you do it secretly?
    Brown. Because I thought it necessary for success, and for no other reason.
    Bystander. You think that honorable, do you? Have you read Gerritt Smith’s last letter, in which he says “that it is folly to attempt to strike the shackles off the slave by the force of moral suasion or legal agitation,” and predicts that the next movement made in the direction of negro emancipation will be an insurrection in the South?
    Brown. I have not; but I presume from your remark about the gist of the letter I should concur with it. I agree with Mr. Smith that moral suasion is hopeless. I don’t think the people of the slave States will ever consider the subject of slavery in its true light until some other argument is resorted to than moral suasion.
    Mr. Vallandigham. Did you expect a general rising of the slaves in case of your success?
    Brown. No, sir; nor did I wish it. I expected to gather strength from time to time; then I could have set them free.
    Mr. V. Did you expect to hold possession here until then?
    Brown. Well, probably I had quite a different idea. I do not know that I ought to reveal my plans. I am here a prisoner and wounded because I foolishly allowed myself to be so. You overrate your strength when you suppose I could have been taken if I had not allowed it. I was too tardy after commencing the open attack in delaying my movements through Monday night and up to the time I was attacted by the Government troops. It was all occasioned by my desire to spare the feelings of my prisoners and their families, and the community at large.
    Mr. V. Did you not shoot a negro on the bridge; or did not some of your party?
    Brown. I knew nothing of the shooting of the negro, (Haywood)
    Mr. V. What time did you commence your organization in Canada?
    Brown. It occurred about two years ago. If I remember right it was, I think, in 1858.
    Mr. V. Who was the Secretary?
    Brown. That I would not tell if I recollected, but I do not remember. I think the officers were elected in May, 1858. I may answer incorrectly, but not intentionally. My head is a little confused by wounds, and my memory of dates and such like is somewhat confused.
    Dr. Biggs. Were you in the party at Dr. Kennedy’s house?
    Brown. I was the head of that party. I occupied the house to mature my plans.
    Dr. B. What was the number of men at Kennedy’s?
    Brown. I decline to answer that.
    Dr. B. Who lanced that woman’s
    Brown. I did. I have sometimes pracitsed in surgery when I thought it a matter of humanity or of necessity— when there was no one else to do it; but I have not studied surgery.
    Dr. B., (to persons around.) It was done very well and scientifically. These men have been very clever to the neighbors, I have been told and we had no reason to suspect them, except that we could not understand their movements. They were represented as eight or nine persons on Friday.
    Brown. There were more than thirteen.
    Questions were now put in by almost every one in the room, as follows:
    Q. Where did you get arms?
    Brown. I bought them.
    Q. In what State?
    Brown. That I would not tell.
    Q. How many guns?
    Brown. Two hundred of Sharp’s rifles and two hundred revolvers– what is called the Massachusetts Arms’ Company’s revolvers– a little under the navy size.
    Q. Why did you not take that swivel you left in the house?
    Brown. I had no occasion for it. It was given to me a year or two ago.
    Q. In Kansas?
    Brown. No! I had nothing given to me in Kansas.
    Q. By whom and in what State?
    Brown. I decline to answer that. It is not properly a swivel; it is a very large rifle on a pivot. The ball is larger than a musket ball; it is intended for a slug.

    If you do not want to converse any more I will remark to these reporting gentlemen that I claim to be here in carrying out a measure I believe to be perfectly justifiable, and not to act the part of an incendiary or ruffian; but, on the contrary, to aid those suffering under a great wrong. I wish to say further that you had better, all you people of the South, prepare yourselves for a settlement of this question. It must come up for settlement sooner than you are prepared for it, and the sooner you commence that preparation the better for you. You may dispose of me very easily; I am nearly disposed of now; but the question is still to be settled– this negro question, I mean. The end is not yet.
    Q. Was your only object to free the negro?
    Brown. Absolutely our only object.
    Bystander. But you went and took Col. Washington’s silver and watch?
    Brown. Oh! yes, we intended freely to have appropriated the property of slave-holders to carry out our object. It was for that, only that; we had no design to enrich ourselves with any plunder what-ever.

  • Bravery of the Hamtramck Guards

    Mr. Zittle– There seems to be considerable talk and gossip through some parts of this community, about the conduct of the Hamtramck Guards, at Harper’s Ferry during the insurrection there. Being an eye-witness to the whole affair, after the arrival of the above company, I deem it but my duty to make a statement through the columns of your paper, of facts concerning the affair, which must exonerate the Guards from the malicious accusations enviously heaped upon them. The Hamtramck Guards, commanded by Capt. Butler, got to the Ferry about 4 o’clock on Monday, entering through Bolivar, by direction of Col. Baylor. While they were marching down the hill, entering Harper’s Ferry, there were shouts ahead for them to “come on.” Capt. Butler ordered the company to march by “double quick time,” and at the command they marched forward until they were commanded to “halt” near the front of the Armory buildings, to await further orders from the Col.

    The next order was for Capt. Butler to take his men into a building, near by, to fire down upon the insurgents, which he did, leaving a portion in the street. A few guns were fired from the house— when they were ordered to cease firing— fearing the safety of prisoners ; by that fire, however, one of the insurgents was killed in the engine house.

    The Company was again taken into the street, where Capt. Butler waited for further orders, but such was the state of excitement, that he could get none from the Officer in command.

    All the commands given during the evening, were from a sett of drunken fellows, whooping and bellowing like a pack of maddened bulls, evidently too drunk, many of them, to hold their guns.

    During this excitement, the Martinsburg party, drunken and maddened, made an attack upon a building, where there were many prisoners, (but no insurgents) and released the prisoners, who could have done it themselves, had they not been too cowardly ; and while this party were getting away from the building some of their own party opened a fire upon them, and this accounts for the killed and wounded from Martinsburg.

    Late in the evening, Col. Baylor called for twenty Volunteers to storm the engine house, (but wanted some other person to command them, however) but could not get a single man, from all the brave and bold from Martinsburg, Harper’s Ferry, and Charlestown. During all this time Capt. Butler, of the Hamtramck Guards, was calm, collected and unmoved, as were all his men, who were at their posts, ready for any order from their Captain, but heeding not the hue and cry of the pretended brave ones outside.

    And where were the Charlestown Guards all this time? Why, scattered in every direction. Their Capt. could not get them in ranks, and did not the whole evening ; all that were kept together were held at their posts by their Officers ; such was the braveay of that company. And for the Harper’s Ferry men, they have not got a man who will stand his ground a moment, or they would not have permitted a negro to hold possession of their main steet, some six hours ; and at last a preacher had to shoot him. Upon the whole, all of these parties pretended a great deal of bravery, but showed the opposite by their actions.

    The above is a plan, truthful statement, unbiased by prejudice, but due to the Hamtramck Guards, who are always ready and willing to take up arms at the first order from their Captain.

    The following correspondence, between Capt. Butler and Col. Baylor, we clip from the Baltimore Sun.

    AN OBSERVER.
    Jefferson Co. Oct. 26, 1859.
    To The Editors Of The Baltimore Sun:

    Having heard from various quarters, even from as far as Baltimore City, reports that the Hamtramck Guards, which I command, had behaved in a cowardly manner at the late disturbance at Harper’s Ferry, I request that you will publish the following correspondence between Col. Robt. W. Baylor, who was in command on that day, and myself. It is necessary to understand a part of Col. Baylor’s answer, that I should state that when he speaks of Lieut. Lee’s company, the Lieut. Lee had command of my second platoon after I went up in the house with the first.
    V. M. BUTLER,
    Captain Hamtramck Guards.
    Shepherdstown, Oct 22nd, 1859.

    Co. Robt. W. Baylor— Sir: — As there have been circulated reports prejudicial to the Hamtramck Guards, which I have the honor to command, I wish to disabuse the public mind of any such impression; and to sustain the officers and privates of my company from such imputations, will you please answer the following questions categorically? —

    Did you give any order to me that I did not report to my company, and was not said order promptly excuted by the Hamtramck Guards?

    Did you not order me to take possession of the house adjoining the Engine House, and to fire from the windows of the same upon the insurgents below?

    Did I not promptly obey said order?

    Did you not peremptorily countermand the order of Lieutenant Lee to charge upon the insurgents?

    Did you in conversation with Governor Wise state that much praise was due to the Charlestown and Martinsburg Companies, with-holding any mention of my company, thereby intimating that they had not done their duty?

    By promptly answering the above questions you will very much oblige your ob’t serv’t.

    V. M. BUTLER
    Captain Hamtramck Guards
    —

    Wood End, October 22, 1859.
    Capt. V. M. Butler— Dear Sir— It affords me much pleasure to answer your questions. I did not give any order, to my knowledge, which was not strictly obeyed by your company. If my recollection serves me, I did direct you to send a portion of your men up stairs in the house adjoining the engine-house.

    Having at that time pressed on myself to the gate I am not certain whether you went up stairs or not, but my impression is that you did for when I returned I found Lieut. Lee standing in front of the engine house with his company, and I recollect perfectly of having ordered him to withdraw further back. In answer to your last question, my official report will be the best answer. I reported to Gov. Wise the following: During the march the insurgents opened a brisk fire on Capt. Alburtis’ company, within the armory yard; the fire was briskly returned by Capt. Alburtis’ company, who behaved very bravely. The balance of the troops being near at hand, rallied to his rescue. The firing at this time was heavy, and the insurgents would not have retained their position many moments longer, when they presented at the door a white flag; the firing thereupon ceased. The above is copied from my official report to Gov. Wise, and in that I speak of all the companies alike, except the Martinsburg company. I do not recollect of having any conversation with Gov. Wise relative to the charge, or any matters relating to the details.

    In haste, very truly,
    ROBERT W. BAYLOR,
    Col. Third Regt. Cavalry.

  • Blacksmith Shop broken into

    We learn that on Tuesday night last, the Black-smith shop, of Mr. John N. Shell, jr., near town, was entered through a window, and bullets were moulded within by the person or persons entering.

  • Hayward Shepherd, buried with military honors.

    Hayward Shepherd, the free negro who was shot by the insurrectionists at Harper’s Ferry because he would not join them, was buried at Winchester with the honors of war by the military companies of the town, accompanied by the mayor and other citizens.

  • Raid excitement still prevails.

    The utmost excitement still prevails in this region, caused from a telegraphic dispatch, received from New York, by Mr. Barbour of Harper’s Ferry, stating that a band of armed men will come from that State, to Charlestown, and attempt to liberate the prisoners, either during their trial or on the day of execution ; for the security of the prisoners, armed men are posted at Charlestown and along the line of the Potomac river, also at Harper’s Ferry, by Capt. Sinn’s company, of Frederick, Md., and a large body of citizens.

    The testimony in the case of Brown, was concluded yesterday. Botts and Green for the prisoner, Harding and Andrew Hunter for the Commonwealth. Brown desired counsel from Ohio, but the Court refused to defer the trial.

    Capt. Brown, Aaron D. Stevens, Capt. Cook, Edwin Coppie, Sheilds Green (color’d) John Copeland, (color’d) are now in jail, on trial, and Hazlette will be brought from Carlisle, Pa., in a day or two for trial. The prisoners will be tried separately. The following are jurors in Brown’s case :

    Isaac Dust, Joseph Myers, Jacob J. Miller, Richard Timberlake, John C. McClure, Wm. Rightstine, Wm. A. Marvin, Thomas Watson, Jr., Thomas Osbourn, Geo. W. Tabb, Geo. W. Boyer, John C. Wiltshire.

  • Boteler; Gun Belonging to “Old” Brown

    We saw in the possession of Hon. A. R. Boteler, on Monday last, a gun belonging to “old” Brown, taken from his rendezvous on the mountain, which weighed 34 pounds and was worked by means of a pivot, attached to the barrel, and was made for the purpose of shooting slugs. Mr. Boteler also had in possession one of the pikes belonging to the band. The blade of which is somewhat like that of a bowie knife or the end of a Roman sword, very heavy, on the end of a six foot ash staff. It is a very formidable weapon, both to cut and thrust. Cook’s private correspondence is likewise in the hands of Mr. B., the most important of which, we suppose, will be published.

  • William J. Stabough, arrested.

    Arrested.

    We learn from the Charlestown correspondent of the Baltimore Sun, of the 24th inst., that James Lynch, alias William J. Stabough, (the same man whom some of our citizens attempted to ride on a rail a few weeks since,) supposed to be one of the insurgents, was brought in a prisoner to-day and lodged in jail. He was captured some days ago by Mr. M. E. Price, the U. S. Mail agent on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad cars, at a place called Sir John’s Run, and kept in Romney jail till to-day. He is quite undersized, of a simple and foolish appearance and had been for several weeks loitering about this and the adjoining counties, begging and borrowing money. He registered himself here some days ago, before the outbreak, as James Lynch, Cincinnati, Ohio, but at the time of his arrest, gave the name of William J. Stabough, of Louisa, Lawrence Co., Kentucky. On Friday night, the 14th inst., he called Mr. Barbour, the Superintendent of the Armory, at Harper’s Ferry, out of his house, insisting upon a private interview on the lawn, which was refused.– Then he asked the loan of a dollar and then left. Since his arrest, he has said, if Barbour had granted him an interview, he would have revealed the whole plot. Both at Harper’s Ferry and here, an excited crowd followed the prisoner, as he passed, manacled through the streets, in the charge of officers. His commitment on suspicion of aiding and abetting John Brown & Co., was issued by Justice Eichelberger.

  • Colored Volunteer Company Arms Removed

    It is stated that the arms recently furnished to a colored volunteer company in Philadelphia, have been taken away by the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, in consequence of the Harper’s Ferry affair.

  • Armory Dam Contract Awarded

    It is understood that the contract for constructing the Armory dam at Harper’s Ferry is awarded by the Government to Hugh L. Gallaher, formerly of this town.

  • Appropriations Recommended For Harpers Ferry Armory

    Harper’s Ferry Appropriations.

    The following sums have been recommended by the Secretary of War, for repairs and improvements of the National Armory at Harper’s Ferry :

    1. For enclosing the arsenal square – – – $5,761 00
    2. For completing stone wall and iron railing on south side of armory canal – 5,723 00
    3. For enclosing new stock house – – – 1,324 00
    4. For further grading and terracing the hill-side – 1,859 00
    5. For building stone wall and grading the grounds in on Shenandoah street – 422 00
    6. For new bridge and sluice over armory canal at the musket factory – – 441 00
    7. For filling ditch and completing six coal bins, under the B. & Ohio Railroad – 223 00
    8. For continuing the flag pavement in front of workshops – – – – 560 00
    9. For breakwater wall to protect lock-gates at the head of the armory canal, and stone wall on the southwest and north side, above and below the railroad bridge, where it crosses the canal – – 2,529 00
    10. For repairs of Potomac dam – – – – 7,000 00
    11. For forebay for cast-iron water-wheel at bell shop – 1,000 00
    12. For water wheel, pen-stock and pit-gearing for new finishing shop at the rifle factory – – 2,050 00
    13. For purchase and fabrication of new machines for the musket and rifle factory – – – – 10,000 00

    Total – – – $38,892 00