The National Republican And Ohio Political Register

From the Baltimore American.

ROBBERY OF THE EASTERN MAIL.

Between one and two o'clock on Tuesday morning, (July 8,) a most daring robbery of the eastern mail was committed about two miles east of the great falls of Gunpowder. The mail was on its way from the east to Baltimore, and, at the place above mentioned, was arrested in its progress by a fence which had been erected across the road. The night was dark, but the lamps of the carriage shewed to the guard and driver the nature of the obstruction, and at once led them to anticipate its object. We learn from the guard that, when the mail was thus stopped, he saw four men, and three being near each other, he fired his blunderbuss among them. They instantly uttered loud yelling shouts, and two of the robbers came up to the carriage, one on each side of it. The guard then seized his pistols and discharged them at the men, but he believes neither of them took effect. The robbers then advanced to the carriage, and seized the guard and the driver. The guard was struck across the head with a pistol, with which one of the ruffians was armed, and the blow deprived him, for a short time, of his senses. The driver being a stout, active man, jumped from the carriage, and after a scuffle with two of the robbers, who had seized on him, he finally made his escape from them and got off unhurt, although a shot was fired after him.

The guard was taken about thirty yards from the carriage, where the ruffian who had first struck him, stood over him with a pistol presented to his breast. The villain asked the guard why he had fired at him—to which the latter replied, he was only doing his duty—that he was sworn to protect the mail. Some of the robbers called out to their comrade to shoot him, or they would shoot him, (the robber.) The guard begged earnestly for his life; they talked of tying him, and kept him in the most anxious suspense as to his fate. At one time the robber held his hands across the eyes of the guard for about five minutes. During the time that these events took place (which the guard supposes was about half an hour,) the rest of the robbers were engaged in rifling the mail. The robber then directed the guard to sit down at the foot of a big tree, at the road side and not to stir at the peril of his life. The robber then went towards the waggon—and the guard heard one of them say—“The packet is ready”—or, “the packet is waiting for us.”

After a short time the guard slipped off his shoes and crawled into the woods a short distance, where he remained until the driver returned with Mr. Rouse, the Postmaster at Joppa, and two or three other persons. They found the mail-bag cut open, in looking about the spot where the robbers had been fired at with the blunderbuss, much blood was discovered and traced to a neighboring field. The faces of the robbers were blacked—and a shirt was also found, which had the appearance of belonging to a blacksmith.

As soon as the delay in the regular arrival of the mail authorized the suspicion of a robbery, Mr. Stokes, one of the mail contractors, immediately left the city to ascertain the cause. Mr. Stokes returned to this city about five o'clock in the afternoon, with the mail robbers in custody. From him, (Mr. S.) we learn the following particulars of their apprehension. Mr. Stokes having arrived at the place where the robbery occurred, accompanied by Mr. George Bartol, and being joined by Mr. Rouse, they went, with the shirt which was found in the road, to the iron forges on the Gunpowder. It was immediately identified by Mr. Tucker, the manager, as belonging to one of the forge-men, named Emmonheiser, and the party at once proceeded to his house for the purpose of arresting him. He denied all knowledge of the robbery, and expressed great willingness to go with them. It being known that another of the forgemen named Moore, boarded with Emmonheiser, he was asked for. He was said to be sick and unable to come out; but, when the party shewed a determination to enter the house he came forward. They were both arrested and taken to the house of the manager. While Emmonheiser was under examination—by a magistrate, Moore was sent out of the room. While Mr. Stokes was talking to Moore, he saw that his vest was buttoned up rather closely; on pulling aside a black silk handkerchief, which appeared to be arranged with care to cover his breast, he saw the marks of blood on Moore's shirt. On further examination it was found he was wounded badly in the breast, with six or seven buckshot. Finding himself thus detected, he immediately made a full confession of the fact of robbing the mail, in which he was assisted by Emmonheiser, (then under arrest,) and another forgeman, named Ward. The latter was immediately arrested, and, on examination, was found to be severely shot in the hand by the blunderbuss. Moore also confessed where the packages taken from the mail were hid; he went with Messrs. Stokes, Rouse and others to the place, where a bag, belonging to the forge, was found under the leaves, in which were contained about two bushels of packages. Those on the top were known to be quarterly accounts of postmasters on their way to the general post office. The packages appeared to be much stained with blood. The bag was safely delivered at the post office and was forwarded to the general post office.

At the spot where the robbery took place there was a high bank on each side of the road. The guard acted with much courage and good conduct, having discharged his blunderbuss at the robbers when they first discovered themselves, and afterwards snapped a pistol at one and discharged the other pistol at another before they came upon him. It appears it was the last shot from the pistol, which wounded Moore in the breast, who was armed with a gun.

They were escorted to the city by the troop of First Baltimore Hussars, (under the command of Major M'Clellan,) who promptly mustered and repaired to the spot in the morning.

On Wednesday, (next day.) at the gaol in the presence of judge Bland, of the U. States district court, marshal Bentalou, and others, the culprits underwent a full and formal examination. The judge stated to them they must be fully aware that the crime for which they were then under arrest was a capital offence—and that they must not promise themselves any hopes of exemption from the punishment of the law. let their examinations result as they might.

Moore was first examined. He made a voluntary and ample confession of the whole affair, amounting in effect, to the statement given above, with this addition, that the plot of the robbery had been three months under consideration. His testimony was formed into the shape of a deposition, to which he afterwards made oath and subscribed his name.

In the examinations of Emmonheiser and Ward, the deposition of Moore was read to them, but they both stoutly denied any knowledge of, or participation in, the robbery. We learn that the wounds of Moore and Ward are not so severe as they were at first represented. They all have wives and children.
The Postmaster General has requested Mr. Skinner to express his thanks to Mr. Stokes, and the party associated with him, in arresting the robbers, as well as to the detachment of cavalry, and all other citizens who so promptly co-operated in pursuit of them—observing, with justice, that the vigilance of all 'deserves the highest commendation.'