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.