National Republican., 1885-05-16


Some two or three days after tho bridge
burning episode narrated in my last, tho
funeral Of Capt. j. w. Jackson took place
at the old home stead, near the Great
Falls. II was tho most largely attended
funeral that ever took place in the county.
Whatever may have been thought Of his
act in the north, his friends and neigh
bors merely looked upon the killing Of
Col. Ellsworth rs the act of man, bravo
even to fool-hardiness. Although the
state OF Virginia had not seeded, jackson
kept the confederate stars and bars haunt-
ing over his hotel in spite Of the
remonstrances Of those who wished him
we'll. His wife was greatly troubled at
the danger bo incurred by flying the flag
when IL was certain that on the federal
advance Alexandria must necessarily be
evacuated by the Virginia troops. She
besought Capt. N. NJ. Ball, of the Fairfax
cavalry. and other of Jackson's friends to
remonstrate with him, but he was obsti-
inately deaf to all appeals, and publicly
swore that tho flag should never bo
hauled down except over his dead body,
and the event showed how we'll he kept
his word.
Tho nag referred to had been floating
over the hotel for over u month before
tho federal advance upon Alexandria,
and was plainly visible from tho south
portico of tho white house with an
ordinary spyglsss. 1t was stated In the
newspapers of tho day--I know not with
what truth-that Col. Ellsworth, who was
great favorite of President Lincoln
and the ladies at the white house, had
promised them that when he entered
Alexandria he would tear down
that flag with his own hands. At any
rate, when his command landed at the foot
of King street taking n single private,
Brownoll, with him he went to the Mar
shall House and entering tho Office com
manded the night watchman. John Stan
hope, think, to show him the way to the
roof Of tho building. Now Col. Ellsworth
was very young and. chivalrous. and was
there fore excusable; but his better and
more obvious plan would have been to
send non commissioned officer with
q squad of men to perform
the job Of hauling down the flag be-
lieve that Stanhope, after doing what he
was bidden, went to Jackson's room and
woke him up. When Col. Ellsworth came
down the steep and narrow stairway
leading from the roof, with the flag
wrapped about hint was q very long
and broad one, and that was the easiest
way to carry it-JacSson, in his night
shirt and drawers, with a double
bsrreled gun loaded with buck
aud asked, "What are you doing
herep Col. Ellsworth replied, 81 have
got the flag" whereupon Jackson raised
his gun, and exclaiming Yes, d-n you,
and I've got you" fired the charge full
into the young officers bosom, who fell
dead instantly. Then, turning, ho at
tempted to give Brownell the contents OF
the other barrel, but it hung Ere, giving
Brownoll time to knock up the muzzlo,
and the charge lodged in the ceiling.
Brownel then fired his rife
at Jackson, the mimic ball taking effect
in the inner corner of the right eya and
crashing through the skull, and Jackson,
too, fell dead. Had he shot Brownell
first it is possible that he might have es-
capped through the rear entrance of the
hotel, for Col Ellsworth could not have
used his revolver with the flag wrapped
around him.
have seen it stated somewhere that
Jacksons body was hacked and NAL
treated by the infuriated zouaves or
learning of the death of their idolized
commander, but l am sure that this wal
not true, and l have told the story rs II
WAS told to mo by one who was present in
tho hotel at the time of the occurrence.
TO MEET M'DowELL's ADVANCE.
Until tho advance under Gen. Nc
Dowell the federal troops, after taking
Alexandria. simply pushed forward theil
outposts to Falls Church, to Bailey'i
Cross Roads, and to Sangster's station, or
the Orange and Alexandria railroad. In
the meantime, every nerve was beinl
strained by the state authorities to Re
under arms every man able to WELD then
effectively. Then what demand there wa
for gray cloth and brass buttons gray
cloth of any shade and brass buttons o
any shape! Guns were brought out anC
furbishod mp, from the old squirrel riff
of the revolution and the cumbrous flint
lock that had done service in the Mexican
war to the hunting rifle Of the latest ant
most approved make, and pistols, from
the old regulation horse pistol to the Colt
Bix-shooter. Every recruit seemed TO fec
that he was not fully equipped unless h'
had bowie or butcher knife strapped
around his waist, accompanied by som,
sort of pistol. The writer we'll remem
bers the care he took in having larg
cheese knife ground to razor-like keen
ness, and the doting fondness with which
he oiled the works of an old pepper. boz
revolver with which the best marksmaI
could not hit horse at five PAGES, an,
how secure he felt in his armament whei
these were strapped around him.
THE REBEL IDEA OF A BATTLE.
The prevalent idea among the soldier
was that in battle there was 10 b
some regular knock down and drag -ou
series of individual hghts-a hand-to
hand cutting and slashing--in whict
these pepper-box pistols and butche
knives would be useful adjuncts to tn
rifle or musket. In the first battle w
found that our antiquated arms servet
only to weigh us down ON tho marcl
and to trip us and tsngle us up in tn
heat Of a charge, and SO we threw then
away in utter disgust at our stup lity IL
ever donning them. l have spoken o
the anxious endeavor to get hold of gra.
cloth for uniforms. Now, tho regula
cadet gray cloth was very scarce. an,
even ut that time commanded fanc,
price, but there was plenty Of olotl
OF the old pepper and salt hue an,
at moderate rates. But the style o
Jackets tail coats were frowned upon
made up by mothers, wives, and sisters
who, perhaps, had never cut jacket be
fore except for chubby lads, who had moi
by years, arrived at the dignity of a tai
coat, was q sight to throw fashionabl
tailor into an agony of distress. Lon
jackets, short jackets, middle cours
Jackets, aud cat.a-cornored jacketS--al
were there.
THE FIRST DRILLS.
As far as drill was concerned tn
companies of all arms made rapid pros
rsss. The majority of the recruits wer
accustomed to the use OF firearms and
free, open-Air life, and had somo idea c
the facings and marchings from the an
uuAl general muster day"
Early in June Lieut.. Col. Ewell, after
ward lieutenant general, was placed Il
command at Fairfax Court House, Will
the confederate troops were gradually be
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