The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-06-01
Correspondence Of the Hawk Eye.
FROM WASHINGTON.

Friday and Saturday were exciting days in
Washington Friday morning we were surpris.
ed with the quiet capture of Alexandria, with
out resistance, a vindication of the wisdom of
the Administrations policy against the murmu,-
ings of our over-ardent patriots of the North.
The plan was formed by Gen. Mansfield, and
carried out perfectly in every respect So Sc
cretly was it all done, too, that only those i'm
mediately concerned knew of the design until
after its accomplishment. The quidnuncs of the
press all claim marvellous prescience, but an
unwiingness to reveal their knowledge, from
motives of public policy, but their claims are
all groundless. The affair is universally regard
ed as the plan of officers, every way competent,
bold, secret and certain of every step of their
progress.
What next, no one can tell Richmond is the
expected point, and thence the entire State of
Virginia. Progress further South will probably
be delayed until fall from necessity, but have
heard stated by good authority that Gen. Scott
promises to put into execution his plan SO as to
occupy the Mississippi to its mouth by the first
this year.
q The death of Col. Ellsworth is the only dark
spot in the capture of Alexandria, but it has
casta gloom over the entire affair. Though
less than twenty-four years of age,,he had a.
chieved national reputation, while his reckless
daring had made him the idol of his brave
Zouaves. 1t was with the utmost difficulty that
they could be restrained from devastating the
whole city of Alexandria to ayenge his murder !;
and such result was long feared, and is even
now threatened, but time for consideration, and
the realization Of the fact that the murder was
the unadvised act of single assassin, will cause
the better counsels to prevail Yesterday all
Washington united to do honor to his memory
The remains lay in state at the White House
during the forenoon and were visited by thous.
ands. There was nothing to indicate violent
death, but the features were those of calm and
peaceful sleep, The military and civil procession
which followed the remains to the depot, was the
most imposing demonstration ever occurring in
Washington. Hardly had the solemn rites of
the church been concluded, and the funeral cor
tege commenced its march down Pennsylya lin
Avenue, when three discharges of large field
piece near the War Department the prearrang-
ed signal Of attack, and summons for immediate
preparation for march, announced the breaking
out Of actual hostilites. Gen. Mansfield, and
the officers suddenly wheeled out of the funeral
procession, and galloped to the War Department
Soon the bells commenced violently ringing, and
in few moments the city was in the widest
alarm. The news was that the sixty.nnth Reg
iment-Col Corcoran's-had been iercey at
tackled by1a large body Of rebel troops within
three miles of Washington, and in full view
from the public buildings. Crowds gathered on
the Treasury Department, and the discharge of
cannon, and dense volumes Of smoke, seemed to
confirm the rumor. In less than half an hour
troops of cavalry, artillery and infantry were
hurrying to the conflict, foremost, as in every
thing else thus far, the men from Massachusetts,
all eager for the fray, and glad that ut last there
was some actual fighting to occur.
Further advices inform us that the excitement
was without foundation, no attack having taken
place, which many are sorry to hear. The ex.
element consequently has subsidized, but there
must be conflict in The neighborhood soon.
XOX.