NP, GC 6/17/1861

From  Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pa.)
 
June 17, 1861
 
The Latest
Important from Harper's Ferry
Burning of the Great Railroad Bridge -- Evacuation of Harper's Ferry -- The Workshops Destroyed, &c.
Frederick, June 11 -- Midnight
   *****
   At five o'clock this morning the great bridge of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad over the Potomac was fired, and soon after a tremendous report was heard, caused by the explosion of mines under the centre span. In one hour the entire structure was in runs and fell into the river.
   This was a noble work -- one thousand feet long, built by Engineer Latrobe but ten years since, in the most scientific manner. I has six spans, and was built at a heavy outlay. The damage to property has not ended here, but the Railroad Company and the United States have suffered further losses of valuable work. The tresselling on which the road was supported from the bridge to the end of the Government property, about half a mile in extent, is nearly all destroyed, as well as an  upper bridge of 120 feet in length, over the Government Canal.
   The telegraph station buildings and other railroad works are also demolished. A long range of buildings, formerly occupied as the Government army {armory?}, is burnt to the ground, with exception of two buildings at East end, near the Shenandoah river. These will probably yet be burnt. The fire has been raging all day, and when we left was bursting out in the rear quarters. The rifle works on the Shenandoah were fired this afternoon, and none of the Government property remained except the dwellings for officers on the hills, and two of the twenty armory buildings.
   The arsenals were burnt in April by the Government troops, when Lt. Jones abandoned the place. The loss to the Government must be in buildings alone from $400,000 to $500,000, whilst the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad company has suffered scarcely less, and it is believed that some of the equipments have been embraced in this wholesale ruin. It is currently given out by the people of the neighborhood that the Railroad company has incurred the serious hostility of the Confederate troops by the supposed want of concert it has shown with them and by the marked loyalty of its employees towards the Government.
   The turnpike bridge at the mouth of the Shenandoah is also to be burned. According to reports, every night some further destruction may be expected, as no United States troops are in sight or reported as being sufficiently near the place to prevent it.

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