The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-05-31
THE ADVANCE INTO VIRGINIA.
The Occupation of Alexandria and Ar
HngtOm Heights--Death of Ellsworth
--GeM. Buffers Movements.

THE Adv ANCE
The Occupation of Alexandria and Ar
IingtOn Heights--Death of Ellsworth
--Gen. Buffers Movements.
The telegraph made sad havoc with dates
in its account OF the expedition against AL
exandria. The movement was made on
Thursday night, the 23d. We have the fol-
lowing particulars by mail
WASHINGTON, May "a, 1861
THE ADVANCE INTO VIRGINIA.
Fifteen thousand troops crossed into Vir-
ginia last night, and are now occupying
Arlington Heights and Alexandria. Nine
regiments OF Infantry, -four New Jersey
regiments, the seventh, twelfth and twenty
fifth of New York, one from Michigan and
one of the District mlitia,) together with
two companies of cavalry and one battery
of artillery, preceded by four companies of
picked regular Infantry, crossed over the
Long Bridge for occupation of Alexandria,
and six regiments of infantry, together with
similar complement of cavalry and artil,
lery passed over Georgetown bridge for the
occupation of the heights of Arlington.
The former body was under command of
Gen. Mansfield and the latter under Gen.
Mcdowell. The troops commenced moving
shortly after midnight Precisely at two
o'clock the crossing of the main bodies be-
gan over the bridges, the Virginia ends of
both having been secured at an early hour
by an advance guard. The movement was
conducted with the utmost quickness and
prOmptness, all the troops passing over in
less than two hours. Very few knew of the
grand night expedition, and the departure
of the troops was only witnessed by a few.
1t was grand and impressive spectacle.
| was out on horseback all night, but
found it impossible to get permission to
Michigan, being the only civilian allowed to
cross. At four o'clock, however, report
was received from the commander of the
expedition, that no opposition had been Of
fered, and that the road to Alexandria Was
open. Troops we're expected to have pos.
session of the town before A. Troops
took rations for only two days, along, but
provisions will be sent across in large quan-
titles to-day. l can state on the highest
authority that the government does not in
tend to move an army on Richmond at pres
ent, but merely to add to the security of
the capitol by occupying positions, the pos
session OF which would virtually give the
rebels control of the seat of government.
The country within a radius of twenty five
miles of Alexandria will be kept clear of
rebels. Should they advance on the federal
army in strong force, corresponding for
ward movement will of course be led by the
latter. A long train of wagons, with wheel
barrows and shovels, followed the troops,
indicating an intention to throw up fortih.
cations.
The Trtbune's dispatch says company
Of horsemen numbering thrty-fiye, Was cap.
tured at Alexandria, Sherman's battery
coming on them suddenly, they had no al
tentative. The Michiganders proceeded to
tear up the rails leading out of the city.
General Scott and Secretary Seward were
on the long bridge when the troops went
over. Thus was Virginia's secession rati-
fed.
DEATH OF ELLSWORTH.
The gallant Ellsworth has fallen From
an official report just made to the President
by Capt. Fox, it appears that his regiment
was first on the other side, it having crossed
the river in steam tugs. After the arrival
of other troops, he proceeded up the street
with squad of his men to take possession
of the telegraph Office. While passing
along he noticed a secession flag flying
from the house top. He Immediately en-
tered the building and made his way up to
the roof with one of his men hauled down
the secession emblem and wrapping it
around his body descended. While on the
second floor a secessionist came out of
door with cooked double barrel shot gun.
He took aim at Ellsworth, when the latter
attempted to strike the gun out of his way
with his fist. AS he struck it one of the
barrels discharged, lodging whole load of
buckshot in Ellsworth's body and killing
him instantly. His companions instantly
shot the murderer through the head with a
revolver, making him corpse second or
two after the fall of Ellsworth. The house
was Immediately surrounded and all the in
mates made prisoners.
The New York Ir,bunes dispatch fur
nisbes the following particulars Colonel
Ellsworth was shot as he was descending
the stairs with the secession flag, which he
had torn down, by the man ackson, keeper
of the Marshall House, with double bar
relied gun. He died almost instantly, dyeing
the secession flag with his blood. He only
said, My God"
The wrath of the Firemen Zouaves in
consequence Of the assassination of Colonel
Ellsworth, is fearful. They threaten to
burn Alexandria to the ground and take
terrible revenge for their loss.
OTHER MOVEMENTS,
A reconnoitering force of two regiments
was sent in western direction, from Alex
andria, early this morning. The men com.
posing it took up the rails of the Alexan-
dria and Richmond railroad, and took down
the wires of the telegraph as they went