The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-11-23

given to the poor Of the town. The omcers
appeared to be gentlemen, with the feelings
Of gentlemen, and never failed to express
their sympathy with the inhabitants, at the
condition to which they had been reduced,
and never turned a screw for pressure, De,
yond what their duly, under the terms OF
surrender, land they were hard enough re-
quired.
have often heard my esteemed friend
w. II. M.-then young clerk in the large
comm ercial house of A. G. c., laugh at the
conversation between Lieut.. Herbert, of the
British Navy, and himself, on this occasion.
He had been sent down by Mr.. c., to ''take
a note" of the tobacco the British were re-
moving from his warehouse, bought, be-
lieve, for parties in Holland "My young
FRIEND" said the Englishman, what are
you doing there, with your pencil and book?"
excepting an account" was the answer,
.of the hossbeads removed" "Ah - said
Herbert, "al correct, young man--be par
ticular-and, when you write to your
Amsterdam correspondents, give them my
respects, and express my wishes that
their Alexandria tobacco may prove pro-
ftable adventure. wonder if they would
draw ON me for the proceeds :" This Lieut..
Herbert was relative of the Herberts of
the old town, and used to say, that though
he was British officer. he should ever re-
spect America and Americans
The British had been here for a day or
two, the town surrendered and given up by
capitulation, and the feet mocred, as have
said, but few hundred yards from the
wharves A barge had been sent on shore,
for some purpose or other, under the charge
of midshipman, and came into the dock at
the foot of Prince street. The seamen were
listlesslv lounging about, and the officer. hav-
ing executed his commission on shore, was
saunering lesurely back to the boat. Just
at this moment the Gathering of horses boofs
were heard on Union street, and Captain
Creighton, of the U. S. Navy, with few
others accompanying him, dashed by
Creighton, seeing the MILDLY in the streets,
seized him by the black leather neck-stock
which he wore, and attempted to drag him
on his horse, intending to carry him out as q
prisoner and "trophy." Fortunately for
the British officer, the string fastening the
two ends of the stock broke, and he fell to
the ground, when, recovering himself in.
stantly, he dGrted for his boat. jumped in,
followed by his men, and pulled out instant
" to the Sea Horse. 1t was ali the work OF
minute Creighton's horse had hardly
paused in it's career, ard by the time the boat
had left the head of the dock he was in full
gallop up Duke street. This was gallant
and daring adventure, but an nlprudent
QUE. lie and his friends were on their way
10 the White Heuse, and could not resist the
temps alton IF coming into town to see wha,
The enemy were about. Once in, the sight
Of the British officer fired his blood, and I'M
der the impulse of the moment, without re-
Election, be made the attempt to get, at least
one prisoner before he proceeded on his jour
uey The mid-hipman had no sooner repor
ted the affair to his superior officers, than thu
drums on the British vessels he t to quar-
Jers---rhe port holes were Opened-and ever,
preparation made to fire upon toe town
And then, the old inhabitants recOllect Their,
was such stampede as was never befOr,
witnessed The women and children, ant
the few men who had remained, started fo
fight, and long trains were seen going on
of the principal streets, laden with every dc
scripdon of property that could be, in on.
old Virginia phrase, "t,ated." It was {
steady stream for some time, most persons ex
pecsipg every minute to see the shot an,
shells Of the enemy falling upon the houses
and decmating the flying crowd However
deputation was Immediately sent off to Cap
tain Gordon, the affair explained, and al
further proceedings in the matter dropped
The inhabitants being treasured. soon cease,
to leave town--those who had gone returned
and everything was restored to the forme
condition.
There was, during the occupation of tn,
town, almost an entire cessation of business
Many stores and shops, however, remained