Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-05-28
CAPTURE OF ALEXANDRIA.
Arlington Heights occupied BY Federal
Troops.
DEATH OF COL. ELLSWORTH.


Troops. III
DEATH OF COL. ELLSWORTH.
Ten thousand United States troops are now in
Virginia, A movement as successfully executed
IS it was skilfuly planned, has resulted in the
capture OF a troop Of horse, the complete posses
sion Of Alexandria, and the Potomac line OF hills
hence to points opposite Georgetown.
This achievement is clouded by the assassua'
ton OF II gallant officer. About O'Clock on
Friday morning six companies of District Vol
dnteera, including the National Rifles and Turn
srs stepped from the Long Bridge Upon Virginia
soil. II had been intended to capture the first |
patrols by boats, but the bright moonlight pre-
vented it. This patrols crossing the first hill tcos
to their horses heeIs. Nothing else hostile was
seen until they arrived at Alexandria.
This vanguard was commanded by Inspector
General Stone under whom Capt. Smead led the
center, Adjutant Abbott the left. and Capt
stewart, son Of Sir Charles Stewart, the right
wing They stopped within half mile of The town
waiting for the main body, having made sure
that the coast was clear.
Thus less than 900 men invaded Virginia, and
held eight miles of the Potomac hills.
Immediately afterwnrd the 18th Regiment Of
New York, followed by the Michigan regiment
crossed the Long Bridge. Soon after came two
NtM JeIbtl ftRliutuAHt anu tnG NNM iuIh tAlt
which last were awakened In camp at , Il M.
AT about midnight, forces crossed from George
town, including the New York 9th and 2jth
Regiments, and positions were taken up on Ar
lingtOn flights and other Potomac hills Mean
time. at O'Clock in the morning, the Cnptnn
of the Pawnee demanded the surrender OF the
town. Major in command of the Virginia
troops, refused The Captain then said the con.
sequences would be terrible to the village and all
H. ~. u
o'clock. At o a. M, EllswOrth's Zouayes, which
had crossed By boat from the eucampmcnt, land
ed aud took position on the dock.
As they neared the shore they noticed the
Pawnees boat bearing Gag truce
The first Of tue troops who crossed the Long
Bridge to enter the town were the Michigan
Regiment accompanied by Senator Chandler
They were accompanied by two guns from
SheTman's Battery and company Of Uniiut
States cavalry. As they marched iuto The stree
Il whistle sauted them, aud a train of car
steamed away, probably being most of the Seces
sion forces. One company Of horse however
numbering thirty FIVE men, were captured, witt
horses, accouterment4, aud flag, mounted, mount
ing, and preparing to mount
Sherman's Battery came up the street towar
them like n whrlwiud, and they had no choic
but to surrender alive or dead
After this bloodless capture, the Secession flag
4 ing nowhere, the Michigan men proceeded t
0 tear up the rails leading out OF the city, Will
o other detacbmens did the same office for tn
n road at distant points Gen. Scott and Secretar
Seward were At the Long Bridge when the troop
s filed over il. Thus was ratified the ordinance {
4 secession in Virginia.
n In this engagement Col. Ellsworth was killed
r After detailing Company L, Col Esworl
II directed the Adiutant TO form the regiment, nt
/ with his ALL Iipufauauf Wippar g
of men, started for the telegraph Office to cut IL
+ wires. Col. Ellsworth proceeded in double qucl
y time up the street. They had proceeded thru
!. blocks, when his attention was attracted by
i large Secession flag flying from the MarsLa
IS House, kept by j. W. Jackson. Col. Ellswor
} entered the hotel, and meeting man in the hu
!, he asked, Who put up that flagg The ms
70 answered, al don't know; am bOarder her,
r Col. Ellsworth, Lieut. Winser. the Chaplain
ir the regiment, Mr.. House, volunteer aid, nj
lie the four privates, went up to the roof aud c,
g Ellsworth cut down the flag
The party were returning down the stars pr
< oe1ed by private Francis + BrOwnell Of Con
is pany A. As they left the ntiic, the man wi
had said he was boArder, but who proved
y be the landlord jackson, was met in the ha
he having double-batreled gun. which he level
at Brownell. Brownell struck up the gun wi
his musket when jackson pulled both trgge
of the gun. The contents lodged in the body
. Col. Ellsworth, entering between the third IL
~ fifth ribs. Col, Ellsworth was at the time rol
~ lug up the flag. lie fell forward on the floor
Fl Fl the hall, and exclaimed My Godl
The instant that Jackson fired, Brownell, qui
as lightning, levelled his musket at jackson.
on The ball struck on the bridge of the nose n
y, crashed through his skull killing him instant
lg As he fell, Drownell followed his Shot by thru
ne Of his bayonet Which went through Jackso
ly body.
His wife presently discovered the fatality, n
approaching the body uttered the most agonizi
j. cries, and although treated with the utmost CO
IN sideration that could be offered her in her mise
she remained for long time in the widest sts
Offrenzy.
The house was in the utmost confusion. 4
he dodgers darled from their rooms but were Ia
he in control by the four or five Zouayes who
'p companied the Colonel. and who ut once est
so lished and maintained order
nd The fall Of Ellsworth is sincerely mourned
the family of the President. lie was a favor
with Mr. Lincoln to whom he was mu
as attached.
It. Mrs. Lincoln and her sister visited tue na
ed yard, where the body Of the deceased sold
he was lying in state, aud placed n beautiful bt
CHI quet upon the remains. Ii is understood Il
the private secretary is preparing an ubtul
y. notice for the newspaper press.
u The body Of Colonel Ellsworth was open
n and embalmed by DR.. Holnes the Inventor
lie the patent embalming process.
Never did a regiment Of men show more d
d. tressing sorrow over the death of comman,
ur than the poor zouaves manifest for tho loss
an their brave but fallen Colonel-fallen by
ISL base hand Of treachery, which renders III
us grief incomparably more poignant thnn if
~ had fallen in an honorable attack on the batt
ne field. Rapid, however, was the rcirbut
I'M awarded to his assassin
II, The last act Of the Colonel, before he left
lc- encampment was to write to his mother mud
lady to whom he was engaged His letters VI
Y, given to n friend TO mail, and before they ",
er deposited in the Office the announcement Of
death reached the city. Thee letters were ,
ia closed to his father with the melancholy tdir
~ of his sons death.
Az Col. Elmer Il. Ellsworth was II native of NJ
AZ ia, Saratoga County, n. T., where his bereny
~ parents are now living, and although he had
.es tained so prominent position ia our militia
an eervice, was yet in early youth at the time
his DEATH having scarcely completed the q
wear Of his age. lie entered the military sch,
lot at West Point, where he. was initiated into /
es rudments Of the art of'Wnr, and cultivated I
To- passion for arms which, until within rec,
ie- period, had found no opportunity for its prac
DIS chi exercise. For the last few years he b
r been n resident Of Chicago, where he was ,
1t gagged in the practice of law, but was dist
L. guished for his love of military affairs aud
he remarkable zeal and efficiency as au officer a
he disciplinarian. Previous to his entering
service of the United States, with his regime
of New-York zouaves, he held the Office
Quartermaster of the Northern Division OF III
nos and Paymaster. General Of the militia
IN that State. Ills first company of Zouaves W
y formed in Chicago in the Spring OF 1869, al
Il soon became famous for their admirable DIR
and wonderful feats of activity. In the oour
IN 81 ,,nnr thafr mani ior factf,, hnl