New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-05-29
The invasion of Virginia. Further Par
tEcuIsrSe

The invasion of Virginia Further Par
tEcuiarss
We take from the Cincinnati Enquirer of the 18th
the account given by special telegraphic cores
pondent of the movement on Alexandria by the
Federal troops on the night of the 23d:
This morning, at A. NJ, in pursuance of orders
previously given, q large body of United States
troops crossed the Potomoc, from this city and its
neighborhood, into Virginia. Ellsworth's Zouaves,
in two steamers, left their camp on the eastern
branch and made directly for Alexandria by va
ter. The Michigan regiment, under Colonel Will
cox, accompanied by detachment of United
States cavalry and two pieces of Sherman's Bat
terry, under command of Lieutenant Ransom, pro-
ceeded by way of the Long Bridge direct for Alex
andria. The Seventh New York Regiment halted
under orders at Hughs' Tavern, at the Virginia end
of the Long Bridge. The Second New Jersey
Regiment is at Roches Spring, half q mile from
the end of the bridge. The New York Twenty
fifth and one cavalry company, aud the New York
Twelfth, and the Third and Fourth New Jersey
Regiments proceeded to the right.
After crossing the bridge for the occupation of
the Heights of Arlington, they were joined by other
troops. which crossed at the Georgetown Aque
duct at O'Clock A. NJ. At about the same mo-
ment the Zonaves landed at Alexandria from the
steamer, and the troops before named, who pro-
ceeded by the bridge, reached that town as the
steamer drew up near the wharf. Armed boats
left the Pawnee, whose crews leaped on the
wharves just before the Znuaves reached terra
fred upon by the few Virginia sentines as the
boats left the steamship, by way of giving the
alarm, when the sentries instantly fed back into
the town. Their fire was answered by impromptu
shots from some of the Zouayes on the deck of the
steamer bearing them.
Immediately on landing, Col. Ellsworth marched
the Zouaves up into the center of the town,
no resistance to their progress whatever being
made. Thus quiet possession was taken of that
part of Alexandria, in the name of the United
States, by that portion Of the troops Immediately
commanded by Colonel Ellsworth.
Those commanded by Colonel Wilcox, at about
the same moment, as / explained above, marched
into town by the extension of the Washington
Turnpike, the cavalry and artillery marching in
two or three 'sssogts below. The destination of
both these detachments was the depot of the
Orange and Alexandria Railroad, which they in
stantly seized.
They also found near by, at Burch and Cooks
negro PEN Virginia company of cavalry, COM
manded by Captain Ball. Thrty-fve men and as
many horses were made prisoners, not having
heard the alarm of the firing of the sentres.
Below, everything found at the depot, in the
way of rolling stock, etc., is, of course, in the
hands of the Government troops holding it, Pro-
ceeding up town, Colonel Ellsworth saw Seces-
sion flag waving over the Marshall House, kept by
Jas. W. Jackson, at the corner of King and Pitt
streets, a well-known Secessionist. Instantly en-
tering the house with four five of his men,
Colonel Ellsworth proceeded to the house-top, tore
down the flag and trampled it under foot.
In descending the stairs, the party were en-
countered by the keeper of the house, a double
barrelled gun in hand. He raised the gun to shoot
the foremost Iouave, who knocked aside his arm,
when Jackson instantly turned upon Colonel Els
worth, and, firing, discharged the load of one bar
rel into the heart of that gallant officer, who fell
dead upon the stairs. Jackson as soon quickly
snapped the other barrel at a Zouave standing
next to Colonel Ellsworth, when private Brown
well, another of the Zouaves accompanying Ellis
worth to take down the flag, discharged the con-
tents of his musket into Jacksons brain, bayonet-
ing his body as he fell, pinnDg it to the steps.
There it laid up to A. M. under a guard of the
Zouaves, who will permit no one to remove it.
The news of the assassination of Col. Ellsworth
reached this city at an early hour this morning,
and created much excitement here, though not at
first generally believed. At later hour it was
confirmed, and at 10 O'Clock the tolng of the bell
of the Franklin Fire Company announced the con-
firmation and orders were given to halfmast the
flag of the company.
At O'Clock this morning large number of
Government wagons went across the Long Bridge,
loaded with picks, shovels and all manner Of tools
of that description, and accompanied with full
corps of carpenters and workmen. The United
Notifications on the heights on the Virginia shore,
commencing at day break.
The steamer james Gray has arrived at the Navy
Yard, bringing the body of Col. Ellsworth, in
charge of six Iouaves. The widest grief is ex-
hibited by the Zouaves, who fairly doated upon
Col. Ellsworth. One of the escort, the man who
shot jackson, fairly bit his lip through to keep
from crying audibly.
private of the Zouave Regiment, named Thos.
Jenkins. while climbing pole in Alexandria for
the purpose of hosting the American flag fell and
broke his neck.
There was called meeting of the Cabinet at IL
O'Clock to-day in reference to the killing of Col.
Ellsworth, and the President is said to have wept
bitterly for the loss of his bosom friend.
The body of Ellsworth will be sent to Chicago
tomorrow,