Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-05-24

FfF". Mem. lHHfeH.--'7elN WV "l - o. H.
and 500 +. NJ.
GrrmaH LutherdA Mwch.-lnstallation of
ofthe new pastor, Rev. j. Schwoy, at p. m.
yo4fg Meas Christian ution.-Pray-
ar meeting in the Methodist Protestant
Church al $50 p. IN. Jail at Up. III. Aims
House AT $50 =. III.
Go<pn Temperance Meeting of the Reform
CIub at T. III. Services TO be conducted
BY Rev John 4. Kern.
TIE MEMORABLE TwENTY-FoURTH OF
NAy.-To-day is the twenty-third anniver-
,arv OF the occupation OF this city by the
federal troops and the killing Of Col. Ellis
worth by Jas. w. Jackson at the commence
,nrul of the late war. Though the story
Ina, often been told, a repetition of it at this
I,nc NAV be of interest TO many men anu
women in our midst who were unborn Az
the time.
In the spring of 1861, the Marshall House,
in. this city, was kept by James w. jackson,
uman ofhighly respectable family, from the
adjoining county of Fairfax. He was all
ardent Secessionst, and some time before
Virginia seeded from the Union, hoisted
upon the hotel IL large Confederate bag.
alexandria had been strongly Union III the
,rutlucDl Vi us ptOpiO Dup tliSooui 20 "a NAiS
Administration and the tone of the North
ern press were rapidly changing that senti-
melt: still, the hosting of the flag before
the state had seeded, was condemned by
MANY judicious persons Threats were said
10 have been made by parties in Washing
ton. that they would come to this city and
take the llag down, whereupon Jackson,
who was a most determined man, all
nounccd that he would certainly kill any
one vino attempted it, and he placed at the
head of the stairs a small cannon, loaded, it
is said, with sugs and scraps OF iron.
Al length came the memorable night OF
The I'd Of May That day, the people OF
Virginia had ratified by their votes the Or
d!nance of secession, and this city had Civ
en- il very heavy ma jority for that ratilica-
lion. though the occupation OF the city by
federal troops had been for some time almost
noarlv expected. There was intense eX-
element; Il band OF music, followed by
crowd of people, paraded the streets ana
screnaded prominent persons, speeches were
made aud iolliicatlun was ludulged III.
This was kept up until Il late hour. Jack
son had been persuaded by friends that IL
was dangerous 10 have loaded cannon
commanding the principal staircase OF the
hotel. and that an attempt 10 take down MS
liar was extremely improbable; he, there
tore, welded to their wishes and removed
the cannon 10 the yard. About daybreak
ON the morning of the 2lth, the New York
Fire Iouaves, under the command OF COL
Elmer T.. Ellsworth, with the First Mlchl-
gan Infantry. came from Washington-the
former landing under cover of the guns OF
IN. United States steamer Pawnee-and
occupied this city, the Confederates retiring
in good order, except Capt. Nj. ID. BARS
company of cavalry from Fairfax, which
was captured. Leaving his men before the
occupation was effected, Col. ELLSWORTH.
with disregard for military dlscipiine
which at later period OF the war "oulu 10
doubt have been severely censured, TOOK
with him four or five men and proceeded 10
the Marshall House. AccoSting gentlemen
whom he found in the office, he inquired
whether he was the proprietor. Beng al,
swered in the negative, he ana his guaro
proceeded up stairs. The house Is lhree-
story one, and from the third story STEP
ladder led to the loft or garnet. lnthiS was
the trap door above which the flag was lying:
10 the roof Ellsworth assembled he secured,
the flag, which he partially wrapped around
him, and descended TO the third floor, when
jackson. aroused 10y the noise, appeared IN
huiIdiug. armed with a double barreled shot
gun. lie came out upon a landing, some
three or four steps below Ellsworth, who
upon seeing him, cried out, Il have the FIRST
prize :" to which Jackson replied, And
have the second - at the same time firing
at him with fatal effect. He immediately
DISCHARGED the second barrel, but Sergeant
Erowneil who had accompanied Ellsworth
knocked the gun up, thus diverting its aim
Jackson was then fired on by Browneil' the
ball entering the formers head near the
nose, and as he fell was pierced through
and pinned to the floor by his adVersary's
sword bayonet, where ne lay IN poor o.
his blood, while the body of Ellsworth
wrapped in the captured flag, was removed
and guard placed around the house. AID
iruuest was held over Jackson's body anC
the verdict rendered, ''That James w
Jackson came to his death by the hands o
the troops of the United States, while In de
rr.o ,r hi. priyate nrODertV in his owl