Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-10-24
Burning of the Alexandria Gazette
Office i'm 1851.

WAAACC III ASU4s
Nr. Editor II saw in the Gazette few
DAYS ago Two articles relating to the burning Of
voar Office, during the late war 1t vas stated
in one that men OF the Eighth Illinois Cavalry
were the iucendiarics, and in another that men
of the 8Sth Pennsylvania regiment were also
concerned in this great outrage and shameful
wrong 10 you This S6th Pennsylvania were
on post here, at the time, as guard tor the
city, and for the government stores and also
doing police duty. I beg leave 10 make a
statement in order that the truth may be
known and the guilty persons be, if possible,
vet discovered [ lived near to your ONCE 1t
the time, and with others OF my nelghbors:
witnessed the several attempts made on that
fearful night, to destroy your property, pre-
vious to the final firing OF the building, and
think could identity DoW the two men, who
actually commenced the work OF Obstruction.
One was sergeant of the Pennsylvania regi-
ment, young, good looking man, noticeable
on dress parades, On Royal street, ara IN front
of their headquarters corner OF Prince and
Roval Streets The other may be remembered
by our citizens, then in town as remarkably
good drummer, belonging to the same regl-
ment
There is no doubt butmen of other regiments
subsequently carried out and completed tholE
Infamous purpose-Wbich might have ended
in immense destruction. Gen. montgomery,
then the Military Governor OF the place, was
on the spot, trying to preserve some ORDER
and by his presence did arrest further rlotou5
proceedings, and a further progress IN their
hellish designs. Yet, it was evident that as
IL. 100 on bic NJ no
effect-nonc would obey, and | saw no officer
| present to assist him in the preservation OF a
city then held by the y. S. troops The SOL
diers certainly cut the hose and interlered tc
prevent the citizens from saving the property
and the materials Of the office. | had to make
| myself scarce" finding man named Wlel
pointing me out to the soldiers. This man |
have since seen in Richmond.
Although the SSth Pennsylvania were con
cerned in this outrage | believe, from what l
saw and heard afterwards, they were ashamed
of their conduct, and were melted tu It by their
fellows of the 8tE Illinois. They afterwards,
on the occasion Of King street fire, excrtcd
themselves to save property.
You give offence by publishing brief ac-
count of the disgraceul scene III St. Paul S
Church, the day before, during divine service,
when the minister was seized in the pulpit, by
the soldiers under orders from a Captain Of the
Illinois cavalry, dragged from the church, and
carried from the midst Of the outraged and H.
dignant congregation to the presence OF the
Colonel of the regiment-for not praying tog
the President Also, you published state
mcnt signed by some OF cur most resspectas:b'e
citizens, relative to that most shameful affair.
docs a citizen Of Illinois, now member 81
Congress, by the name Of Farnsgorth, rccolIect
anything about this transaction p This cEcit-
ed the ire of these people against you, and at
meeting in one Of their well known rcndcz-
vous and Eating House, Or Restaurant kept
by man, think named Wicl, on Fairfax
street, and where Mr.. Z. Grimes once kept d
tin shop, it was determined to burn you out.
Several attempts were made, the last By the
before mentioned men. who set the building on
fire. Some OF the ncighbor5 are quite sure
that the 9Th Illinois men were seen by them
at some of their attempts the same night-but
| am certain the two mentioned applied the
torch. A CITIZEN OF ALEXANDRIA.