Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-03-12
From the Baltinorcau.l
RccolIections Of the EARLY War.
GY g j WICELIFFF

10 the year 1861 | was cilizen CT Alex
andrin. Va +; NY place Of residence was the
Mansion House, on Cameron street trust
1 may be psrdoned for not being able TO fix
exsct dstea. Ny notice were destroyed in
the great Ere in Richmond in 1865, and I anl
only too happy to know that ] was not
burned s|ong with them.
Early in tho morning before the citizens
were out OF their beds, the Union army COM
menced pouring in from Gil quarters, over
bridges and by steamers. The atmosphere
seemed 10 &c full of them.
The New York Z7usvee, under command
of Gel. Ellsworth, landed from steamer at
the foot of Cameron street. They marched
up that street the head OF the column rest
ing under my window. | looked down and
saw Colonel Ellsworth de;hii 9 squad frCm
the ranks, and, at the head Of il, nede for The
Marshall House on King street, kept by
Mr.. Jackson. Upon the top tionted large
Confederate flag. Upon reaching the build
ing, Col. Ellsworth, st the head OF the col
umn, made his way TO the top OF the build
ing, hauling down he flag and wrapping it
around his body.
In retracipg his steps he mad to pass jack
cons chamber docr. n doing 90 jackson
stepped out of his room with doat!a bar.
rel shot gun, and fred at the man who had
his flag around him. Ellsworth fell dead
instantly, and the guards fred on Jackson.
He fell, rolled to the landing below, was
pierced many times with bayoneta, and left
dead.
Jackson was a brave man. The writer
knew him we'll. have often heard him say
I Il ~ hn aft 1-,t-
ed to haul his aag down, aud true TO his
word he died in the defence OF the flag he
loved SO we'll tIe had received repeated
messages from the Union forces. that bis
flag would be their frat capture il could
be plainly seen from the White Bouse and
was to be presented to Mr.. Lincoln. This
was the first blood shed in the great civil
war that followed, and had its effect in in
tensfyipg and aggravating the already bit
ter feeling that existed. Col. EIlsworth's
body was placed on stretcher, ard borne
by four of bis soldiers to the boat, and taken
to Washington.
The excitement over these tragic events
can never forget. The citzans felt that
thew had little or no security the soldiers
made open threats of sacking the city. We
were now amid the "pomp and ciroum'
SlSuC6 vi mol DAOPciGNiOb0 HNAO 'NpANA-
pushed forward to organize and equip the
armies for. the capture of the "rebsl"
stronghold at Manassas. Il was very gen.
erally known by the citizsns-the time tix-
ed for the advance OF the ermies The con-
slant arrival of troops, batteries Of artillery
innumerable, all pointed TO the fsct that the
great conflict was near at hand. Methought
Il saw enough soldiers pass through and
around Alexandra, to whip every soldier OF
every nation on earth combined.
The time for advance had arrived, and
the grand army was in motion. l felt sad,
knowing that my own countrymen would
soon meet in deadly conflict; | retired 10 my
room, shut myself cut from all colnpan
ionship with the world, to await the result,
possessed with the belief that not a rebel
soldier would be left to tell the tale. Morn.
ing came, the great conflict wEs over,
the grand army had received o defeat
only eaualed by that ofthe French at Wa
terloo.
In making my way to the breakfast room,
l found the steps and halls full Of sleeping
soldiers it wes with great difficulty that
could make any headway. The streets were
full of them, many of them without guns
hats or coats a heavy rain was falling, and
felt sad to look upon those broken down
soldiers sleeping on the cellar doors, on the
pavements any place they could ley their
weary beads.
One thing in this great retreat struck me
forciby-thst not an officer was to be seen.
At breakfast found at the table one of the
Elleworths Zouaves, d corporal. | said
to him, "What has become of ell the Of
ficers ?'' He replied, "Well, al can say is
this, our regiment went into the fight 1850
strong: those rebels fought like demons,
and when the tide of battle turned against
us. our officer said, Everything is going
to hell, boys take care of yourselves. l
am going to New York. l suppose ne
thoug all the officers had taken the same
track. I DO not believe 150 Of US escaped" J"
This disorganized mass OF men remained
in alexandria without officers TO re form
them for many days. The boats that piled
between Washington and Alexandria were
Withdrawn; the dra1 in the bridge opened
to prevent their escape. Many OF them
were fed by the citizens The officers after
taking rest put in an appearance and
commenced TO reorganizs The forces. Great
numbers made their escape.
was sitting at my store door one morn
inc THE wharf end, and l saw soldier
with his musket on his shoulder waking
ont on Fowle's wharf. 1t struck me what
can he be up to no guard was ever placed
ont there. kept my eyes upon him. When
he reached the end OF the wharf, he sat
down with his eyes overlooking that point,
his musket thrown across his legs, saw
the flash of the gun he threw the musket
in the dock, sprang to his feet and beat a
hastv retreat, passing me, apparently in
Great agony. l saw that he had shot away
the thumb and index finger of his left hand.