Harpers Ferry Correspondence to Shepherdstown

Correspondence of the Shepherdstown Register.
HARPER’S FERRY, Dec. 14, 1849.

MESSRS. EDITORS:– Your friends and patrons here have been much gratified by the appearance of the first and second numbers of the “Shepherdstown Register,” and you have their earnest wishes for success in your enterprize. As our little community is at this time without that valuable medium, a newspaper, I shall, from time to time, claim a small space in your columns, for such items worthy of note as may here transpire.

The weather the past week has been extremely cold and disagreeable, and our rock-bound, snow-capp’d hills have a peculiarly bleak and desolate appearance. At present, we have indications of an approaching snow-storm.

Our two cotton factories are in full operation, and are well worth a visit, especially at night, when they are brilliantly illuminated with Crutchett’s solar gas.

The appearance of the two branches of the U. S. Armory — the Musket and Rifle Factories — are being much improved by the erection of commodious and comfortable work-shops. These improvements, under the supervision of Major John Symington, have been in progress for the last four years, and are now suspended until spring.

There has been some little excitement here among the operatives in the Armory, in consequence of the removal of some Inspectors, &c., but there was not much sympathy evinced for the discharged, as the justice of “rotation in office” is getting to be generally recognized and acknowledged.

In consequence of the late rain and snow storms, the Shenandoah has commenced rising; but it can do no harm, except to stop the river supply of flour for a short time. There is a great quantity of flour comes here daily, per railroad, from Winchester; the most of it is for the Baltimore market.

I would write more, but the whistle of the Locomotive warns me it is time to close. More anon.
WILL.