John Brown Raid: Clippings From Old Piles

THE JOHN BROWN RAID
SOME CLIPPINGS FROM OUR OLD PILES OF 1859.

Thursday, October 20th, 1859.
OUr citizens were startled on Monday morning last, by the arrival of a messenger informing us that a band of lawless Desperadoes had visted our county, capturing Col. Lewis W. Washington, negroes, horses, wagons, &c., John H. Alstadtt [Allstadt], son, and negroes, and carrying them off, and that they had also taken possession of the U. S. Armory works, and imprisoned a number of citizens.

About midnight of Sunday John Brown, with his force amounting as they say, to 22, crossed the Potomac bridge with a one-horse covered wagon containing their guns, picks, &c. They immediately seized Patrick Higgins, the watchman at the bridge who gave one of the party a blow and made his escape, informing the conductor of the night train of cars, Capt. Phelps. They then endeavored to induce Hayward, the free colored watchman of the railroad office to take up arms and join them in their nefarious purpose. Upon his refusing to do so, they immediately shot him. He was a valuable fellow, whose life was worth more than all the bandits, as he was trusted with everything in the depot.

Sixteen of them taking possession of the Armory and Arsenal, the others repaired to the residence of Col. L. W. Washington, near Halltown, in this county, and after arousing him from his bed, with pointed rifles, demanded his surrender, and that of his negroes, &c. From thence they proceeded to the residence of Mr. John H. Alstadtt, living on the turnpike, and made a similar demand. They then returned to Harpers Ferry, and placed their captives in the Government Watchhouse.

Dr. John D. Starry, who was aroused by the report of a gun repaired to give medical assistance to Hayward. He and Mr. Herr then went to the Armory gate to inquire for the watchman, when a demand was made upon them to enter the yard. They refused to do so, and walked off unmolested. They were probably taken for railroad passengers, as the night train was suffered to proceed without hindrance. The officers of the Armory were then notified, and as they came to the Armory were taken captive.

The insurgents having cut the telegraph wires, and stationed themselves at various points, prevented further entrance in the public square. Mr. Thomas Burley [Boerley], being seen with a gun was shot by a negro sentinel from the corner of one of the Arsenal buildings. The ball passed through his body, killing him almost instantly. This negro fellow was afterwards shot.

Our citizens, after getting the intelligence of the outbreak, immediately organized for action. The Jefferson Guards, under the command of Capt. J. W. Rowan and Lieuts. H. B. Davenport. E. H. Campbell, W. W. B. Gallaher and J. L. Hooff. And a volunteer company of citizens, under Capt. Lawson Botts, with Cols. R. W. Baylor and J. T. Gibson, proceeded to Harpers Ferry where they were joined by the citizens of that place and neighborhood.

Captain John Avis, of this town [Charles Town], formed a company of 20 men who were posted in front of the Arsenal. Capt. Botts was detached with 20 volunteers who took possession in front of the “Galt House,” in the rear of the Arsenal. Capt. Rowan’s Guards crossed the Potomac river and took possession of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad bridge. The citizens of the town without any regular command, took other stations of the town, thereby cutting off all retreat.

The firing then commenced. Captain Avis forced the door of the Arsenal with a gun taken from the hands of Mr. Leonard Sadler, of this town, one of the soldiers of 1812. The fire becoming too warm, the insurgeants fled to the watch house. Before they abandoned the Arsenal ground, and before the charge was made upon them, Geo. W. Turner, Esq., one of our most estimable and valuable citizens, was shot as he was passing down High street. He died a short time afterwards.