Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Virginia. Auditor of Public Accounts (1776-1928). Harpers Ferry Fund Records, 1859-1861. Accession APA 145. State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Transferred from the Auditor of Public Accounts in 1913.

Biographical Information

In 1859, John Brown and a band of followers captured the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, but were themselves captured by Virginia forces commanded by Robert E. Lee. In 1860 the General Assembly passed several acts authorizing the payment of expenses incurred during the Harpers Ferry raid. The secretary of the commonwealth, the auditor of public accounts, and the adjutant general were appointed commissioners to settle accounts. The board's function was to settle all accounts incurred in assembling, arming, equipping, transporting, and maintaining troops during John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry. The auditor of public accounts then issued warrants to the individuals entitled compensation.

Scope and Content

Records, 1859-1861, of the Auditor of Public Accounts Harpers Ferry Fund, arranged chronologically into five boxes. The collection mainly consists of accounts and receipts, but also interfiled is correspondence, payrolls, special requisitions, and warrants. The records document the expenses incurred by the militia, individuals, and businesses during John Brown's Raid and detail the Auditor of Public Accounts reimbursements. For an unknown reason some of the records have warrant numbers, while the earlier records do not (1859 October - 1860 February).

Included are accounts and receipts detailing expenses for the board and lodging, transportation, and supplies and equipment of the militia. Notable expenses include clothing, munitions, surgical equipment, food, boarding and feed of horses, advertising, bedding and furniture, building supplies, and damages to local property. Often the name of the regiment was noted on the receipt. Included are some accounts approved by the Virginia Board of Commissioners and signed by George W. Munford, president of the Board. Also included are documents appointing agents to collect fees due individuals.

Of note is a warrant, 14 April 1860, to John Wilkes Booth for military service. As a member of the 1st Virginia Volunteers, Booth received $64.58 for nineteen days' military service. The warrant approving payment is dated 14 April 1860. The oversize materials include payrolls for individual officers and doctors, as well as muster and pay rolls for Capt. James W. Gray's Company of Infantry (67th Virginia Regiment) and Butlers Company of Infantry (Hamtramck Guards).

For additional records please see: Virginia. Board of Commissioners. John Brown's Raid claims and military expenses (LVA Accessions 36955 and 36956) and Virginia. Department of Military Affairs. John Brown's Raid accounts and military records (LVA Accessions 38917, 39025, 39026). It is probable that the warrants relate to the Board of Commissioners volumes.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged chronologically.