The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-03
UNDER BAYONG4 RULE
Newspaper Work in a City Con-
quered by Troops.
"Reminiscences of Events in Aiexan-
dria After the Stars md Bars Were
hauled Down by Union Troops in
the Opening Pcrind OF the Civil
Wharf.-The Exposure of Traitors.

/ i
ner. the publisher of a newspaper in AL
exandria during the civil war. brings
freshly TO the front of memory many un-
told but interesting and entertaining. in
cidents of newspaper life in a conquered
city.
The vote for secession in Alexandria on
the 25d of May 1861. had peen four to one
Next morning at daybreak the secession
forces gathered at Prince and Washington
streets. where now stands the Confederate
monument. Half an hour later the Alex
-andria soldiers had crossed Hooff's Run,
leaving home behind them. The town was
in the occupancy at sunrise of a New York
and a Michigan regiment and over the
Marshall House. where Ellsworth and
Jackson lay dead. the Stars and Stripes had
succeeded the Stars and Bars.
At the time Alexandria was occupied by
the United States forces two daily papers
were published there These were the
Alexandria Gazette Whig, published by
Edgar Snowden. and the Virginia Senti-
nel," Democratic, published by Smith &
Fink. The Sentinel had, for many
months been burning for secession. The
Gazette" had been cautious and conser-
vative, but the leading editorial of its issue
on the morning of the cath of May, which
met the United States troops upon their
arrival in Alexandria was a review of the
situation. which, in conclusion, declared:
I'VE must therefore acquiesce in the
ION,
from the people of the Northern States,
and hold them, as we hold the rest Of the
world, enemies in war, and in peace,
friends
1t was not at first intended to suspend
the publication OF the Alexandria Ga
zette." and preparations were being made
for its issue on the 25th. when General
Wilcox. in command of the United States
forces. sent TO the paper for publication
"a proclamation" The publication was de-
clined. and. with the issue of small
sheet. the suspension of the paper was an
nounced by its editor Soon afterwards the
office was seized and a publication issued,
partly in English and partly in German,
called the Pennsylvania Fourth by some
printers of that regiment. A few issues
only Of that paper were. made, but the
Gazette" office and the office of The
Southern Churchman." in the same build
ing, were looted.
Afterwards Mr. Snowden's Office being
abandoned by the soldiers. its owner took
possession Of it, and after the battle of
Bull Run. Messrs. Edgar Snowden. jr., and
William +. Carne published there the
Local News" a single-sheet afternoon
daily
The sheet was in fact mere news chron-
icle. On the second day of its ISSUE as
its junior conductor was busy in the front
Office counting out the papers for the boys.
and the senior in a rear room running OF
the sheets on a job press. an officer. re-
splendent in uniform. appeared.
II would like to see the proprietor OF
this paper" said he.
THE son of the owner of the establish
ment is in the back room there. Perhaps
you had better See him. was the reply
newsboy showed the way. but by Inc
time the papers had been counted OF the
officer returned, evidently in very good
kumor
"The young man in there" he SAID, lis
quite cantankerous. He invited me TO work
the press. and. although ! am a newspaper
man myself, / never ran a newspaper With
my foot
The writer afterwards learned that what
happened in the press-room was this:
The officer. approaching NJ. Edgar Snow
den, jr., who was running the press with
his foot. said: Il want 10 see you about
this paper"
We'll have got to gel this paper of:
but Il YOU VIII run this ITeadle with your
foot, III talk 10 you
When. however, tie ofcer came out, the
Junior conductor was at leisure, and said
TO him: Now / can talk TO you: sit
down
i an Colonel Frease. Provost Marshal,
and / have been advised 10 stop the issue
OF your paper" he said.
We'll, you can stop it. You have force
% do it. but is it the intent Of the United
States to stop the issue Of newspapers
wherever their armies penetrate into the
South"
-'oh, Not at ALL But we, the provost
marshai's Office. are responsible for all
that goes on in Alexandria. / do not want
the paper to stop; it is a sign Of life.
Couldn't read the prco!s?"
Why, certainly" was the response to
this query. I'VE have no proofreader, and
would be glad of one, but We cannot pay
anything and you must be punctual here
at II and o'clock. as well have to go to
press anyhow. That would be very trou-
blesome for YOU
yes" said the officer, more than that
It would be ridiculous. / want the paper
to go on, but / don't want our office to
have the responsibility Of it. You are not
going to publish anything against the Gov
eminent, are your"
I'VE are not FOOLS was the reply to this
I'VE are going to have no editorials. but
publish local newspaper only. Don't You
see If you undertake any control you will
be responsible, but if you let us alone
we'll be responsible and you can slap us
into the slave pen at any time"
That's So" exclaimed the provost mar
shall, sapping his knee. I'm let you alone"
by the way" said the newspaper man, |
whats the news, colonel?"
why, did you know I've established a |
military police court. 1t will be opened |
tomorrow. Come up.
The invitation was accepted and next /
day the Local News had 1.-The military |
police court" among its items.
The Local News" continued its daily |
issue until February, 1852 On one of the |
Sundays OF that month Rev. Kinsey Stew
art. minister at St Paul's Protestant Epis-
copal Church was carried off from the
chancel OF his church by a squad Of the
Eigth Illinois Cavalry. because he refused |
to pray for the President of the United
States. Next day the Local News" with
the sanction OF General Montgomery, the
Military Governor, denounced the seizure,
and on that night a mob of soldiers set
fire to the Alexandria Gazette Office,
where the News" was published. destroy
ed the material, and wrecking the estab-
Iishmcnt.
The editor OF the Sentinel" Mr. Rich
ard NJ Smith. went South with the troops; !
and soon restablished his paper at the
Confederate capitol, and became afterward
The public printer OF the Confederate Cen
yress. But he left all his presses and news
paper material in Alexandria, at his office
IN the building on Royal Street. which is
now remodeled into hotel. The. place