Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-03-13

PRovosT GUARD, }
NEAR ALEXANDRIA, VA, ,
March 50, 1863. }


NEAR ALEXANDRIA,, VA,
March Sd, 1868.
MIR. EpIroR ~ Promising to give youl
readers an account Of Alexandria, i here
with send you shis shor, sketch / labor un
der one disadvantage, viz: il is almost i'm
possible to give an account which shall b,
impartial. for one cannet expect to see tn.
same city now MS IN peaceful times. How
ever, / will endeavor to be just, and inelin,
to the lenient side.
Alexandria is situated in Fairfax Co.
Va, and is about seven miles from Wash
ington, and the same distance from Mt. Yer
non. The principal street 10 King street
upon which the Marshall House, the place
Of Ellsworth's death, stands, while the
street which contains the handsomest resi-.
dences 10 Prince street, upon which the
Post Office also stands. The side walk.
are paved almost exclusively with brick
and when walking along them, one ia i'm.
pressed mos, forcibly with the idea that he
is in southern city. 1t is filed with gov.
ernmert wagons. either leaving the city
filled with provisions, or else coming for
their supply. Ever and anon we hear the
engine with its shril whistle, announcing
the fact that some train is leaving With stores
for the soldiers. Although not very large
place and withal very quiet, nevertheless,
Aexandria does considerable business for
Uncle Sam, being connected with Leesburg
by the Alexandria & Hampden Railroad,
and with Manassas Junction, Fairfax Sta
ton, &c, by the Orange g. Alexandria
Railroad. This is also the place where the
prisoners taken by the troops around Fair
fax, Union Mills, &C., are sent, and from
there they can be easily transported to
Washington, as there are government boats
running regularly between Alexandria and
Washington. You meet no civil police, for
the strcng hand of military power keeps
watch over Alexandria, and at every prin-
cipal street are guards stationed, who allow
nothing to pass that is contraband. Alex
andria is not only noted as the place of
Ellsworth's death, but is also of interest TO
the histori n as being the place where WASH
ington used to worship, and the pew in the
Episcopal church where he attended divine
service, still remains unaltered. One of the
peculiarities which is generally noticed by
Northern men quicker than many other
things, is a slave pen, once used as place
TO keep slaves, now used as Jail to keep
unruly soldiers in. and to be used for its
former purpose, thank God no more.
Such is the appearance Of Alexandria,
wanting northern energy to make its man
ufactories prosper,--s city where many pri-
vate enterprises undoubtedly have been
overthrown, and city indebted to that same
Government whose sons il has killed, for
most Of its prosperity, under subjec-
ton by the Union guns and guards, yet made
to contribute its share towards restoring
that Union for which Ellsworth died. The
enterprise and activity which exists in north
ern villages and cities is wanting here, bnt
1t will undoubtedly appear much better
when civil authority again predominates,
but Alexandria has not yet, and never will
realize southern protection.
Next time Forts Ellsworth, &c.
Yours respectfully,
ALyAN E. FARR, Co. II.