Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-05-30
TIL r. w AR.
Virginia Invaded by Federal rroops-Assas-
sination of Col. Ellsworth.

in Washington on Thursday night, breakfasted
in Virginia Friday morning. movement as
successfully executed as it wds skillfully planned.
1t has resulted in the capture of a troop of
horse, the complete possession Of Alexandra.
and OF the Potomac line of hills thence to
points opposite Washington.
The Michigan regiment, Col. Ellswor,b,s
Iouaves, and two New York and two New Jer-
sey regiments, were ordered at a late hour
thursday night to have their guns loaded, and
hold themselves ready to march at a moments
NOTICE, without camp e~quipage or heavy bag
gage. Sherman's and Ringold's batteries ac-
companied them, and the whole force numbered
3oOo or 1000 men. When the order was given
to the soldiers to cook three days rations and
prepare to march by daylight, such deafening
applause was never yet heard by any one. The
AIR was fairly rent with cheers.
The Washington City National Rifles, Cant.
Smead, at about 10 o'clock Thursday night.
passed over the long bridge to Virginia, only
nalting at the Virginia end until between ! and
= friday morning, acting as an advance guard.
lhese were followed by other District volunteer
companies acting in a similar capacity. Suisse
quently the New York I'd and 10Th regiments
and the Michigan and New Jersey brigadcs
crossed the bridge, the Virginia pickets having
been previously driven in by the advance guard.
One OF these regiments took the road leading
to Fairfax Court House, about 20 miles from
Washington, while another, the New Jersey,
stopped at the Forks, a mile from long bridge.
TO await orders for an advance into Virginia.
Another division also moved from another
point, namely, at the Potomac Aoueduct, at
Georgetown. The 9TH New York regiment was
among these troops, and after several hours
march. occupied a point between the bridge and
Columbia Springs, on the line of the Washing
ton and Alexandria railroad.
Soon after the federal troops had stepped
from the long bridge upon Virginia soil, at 1880
a. M, on crossing the first hill, the rebel patrols
scampered away on horseback. No other hos
tile forces were seen until the District volun-
teers reached Alexandria. There were six COM
panies including the National Rifles. Their
vanguard was commanded by Gen. Stone, I'M
der whom Capt. Smead led the centre, Adiutant
Abbott the left, and Capt. Stewart the right
wing. They stopped within hal a mile of the
town, waiting for the main body, having made
sure that the coast was clear. These 500 men
invaded Virginia and held eight miles of the
south bank of the Potomac. Immediately a-
terward the New York 10Th regiment followed
by the long bridge; next came the two New
Jersey regiments and the New York 18th, which
last had been awakened in camp at . a. H..
AT about midnight federal forces crossed
from Georgetown, including the New York 9TH
and 25th regiments, and positions were taken
by them on Arlington flights and the other Po-
tomac hills. Meantime, at 4 a. M, the captain
OF the steamer awnee demanded the surren-
der of Alexandria. A major in command of
the Virginia troops refused. The captain then
said the consequences of refusal would be terri
BILE to the town and all its inhabitants, and gave
the rebels until s o'clock to decide.
At 6 a. M, Col. Ellsworth and his Fire Zou-
ave regiment crossed the Potomac in steam
boats, from their encampment, and took a posi-
ton on the dock at Alexandria. As the steam
er bearing the Zouaves approached, the rebel
s~entinels fired in the air and retired to their
main body, about 500 strong. simultaneously
with the landing of the Zouaves, the LIST Mich
igan regiment, accompanied by two cannon from
Sherman's battery and a company of u. S. cav
airy, entered Alexandria by the road leading
from the long bridge, and proceeded direct to
the railroad depot. of which they took possess
sion, capturing a troop of rebel cavalry with all
their horses and equipments.
Murder of Col. Ellsworth.
The Zouaves landed in good order in double
quick time, each company forming in company
order on the street facing the river. Company
L, Capt. Leveridge, was the first to disembark.
Capt. Leveridge's company was at once detailed
to destroy the railroad track leading to Rich
mond, which service they promptly performed.
After detailing company f., Col. Ellsworth di-
rected the Adjutant to form the regiment, and
then with his Aid, Lieut.. Winser, and a file of
men, started for the telegraph office for the pur-
pose of cutting the wires.
Col. Ellsworth and his detachment proceeded
in double quick time up the street. They had
proceeded three blocks, when the attention of
Col. Ellsworth was attracted by a large seces-
sion flag flying from the Marshall House, kept
by ]. w. Jackson. Col. Ellsworth entered the
hotel, and meeting a man in the hall asked,
"Who put that flag upP" The man answered,
81 don't know; | am IA boarder here Col.
Ellsworth, Lieut.. Winser, the chaplain of the
regiment, Mr. House, a volunteer aid, and the
four prlvates, went up to the roof and Col. Els
worth cut down the flag.
The party were returning down the stairs,
preceded by privete Francis f.. Brownell of
company a. AS they left the attic, the man
who had said he was Il boarder, but who proved
to be the landlord, Jackson, was met in the hall,
having a double-barrel gun, which he leyeled at
Brownell. Brownell struck up the gun with
his musket, when Jackson pulled both triggers
of the gun. The contents lodged in the body
of Col. Ellsworth, entering between the third
and fifth ribs. Col. Ellsworth was at the time
rolling up the flag. He fell forward on the
floor Of the hall and expired instantly, only ex.
claiming any God"
Private Brownell, with the quickness of light
ming, leveled his musket at Jackson, and fred.
The ball struck Jackson on the bridge of the
nose, and crushed through his skull, killing him
instantly. As he fell Browncll followed his
shot by a thrust of his bayonet which went
through Jackson's body.
The companions of Col. Ellsworth, seven in
number, immedia ely posted themselves so as
to command the halls of the hotel. and threat
ened to shoot the first man who showed his
head outside of a Goor. In this way they stood
for ten minutes. Their protracted absence
alarmed Adjutant Leoser, who ordered compa-
ny A., Capt. Coyle, to search for him. The com
pany found their commander dead, and their
comrades in possession of the hotel. A sur
geon was then sent for, but Col. Ellsworth was
dead long before his arrival.
Col. EIlsworth's Remains.
The body of Col. Ellsworth was taken to the
Navy Yard, where an autopsy was made. The
charge penetrated the chest between the I'd and
4th ribs breaking the Sd three balls lodged
near the spine fracturing some Of the vertebra.
The arch of the aorta was wounded The
corpse was afterwards taken to the Presidential
mansion and laid out in State. On Saturday it
was sent home to Mechanicsville n. Y, to his