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it for the purpose of conference in regard to the terms on which the Insurgents proposed to surrender. These were as stated to him by their leader—Captain Brown that if he and his men with the gentlemen whom he held as prisoners should be escorted across the river to the Maryland Shore the prisoners should be released unharmed and the Insurgents would take their chance for their lives in an open fight, and he was desired to com- municate them to his commanding officer. Capt. Sinn communicated with me and accompanied by Adjutant Maulsby I held a parly with Captain Brown and the gentlemen whom he held as prisoners. He repeated to me the same terms adding only that if escorted to the Canal lock  [ 17 ] opposite with all his men and their arms, he asked no farther favor than that he & his men should not be shot down instantly by a body of men posted for the purpose, but on being al- lowed a brief period for preparing for fight, he was willing to take his chances for death or escape. I told him that he was completely surrounded by an overwhelming force and every avenue of escape effectu- ally guarded—that his life was assu- redly forfeited and urged him to