Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09

strife Is wildly recalled by those who still
survive.
The story is told as follows: A few COM
panies of confederate soldiers held the
place, flying the flag of the southern states
we'll within field-glass view Of Washington,
and also within a few hundred yards of the
guns of the federal steamer Pawnee, which
at that time was anchored in the Potoma c
! close to Alexandria. Jackson had raised
the flag to It's proud height amid the pIau-
dts of his fellow townsmen. In the en-
thus1asm of the moment he registered a
VOW that he who removed the emblem of
the confederacy should do so over his dead
body. Prophetic words these proved to be.
1t is said that from some elevated spot in
Washington President Lincoln had viewed
the obnoxious flag with his field glass; and
had remarked that the ensign would soon
be lowered. Early in the morning of Nav
"A, 1861 the New York Zouaves, commanded
by Colonel Ellsworth, and the I'd Michigan
Volunte ers. Colonel Wilcox, entered the
city. the Virginia companies retiring in &C
cordance with orders. A portion of the Fair
fax Cavalry was surprised captured and
transferred to Washington. The federal
troops had conVerged upon Alexandria from
three directions. One detachment came
from the Chain bridge above Georgetown
another across the Long bridge, and the
third, among which were the New York
Zouaves arrived by water.
The Fatal Shot.
At the head of his men Colonel Ellswort h
proceeded up King street, soon reaching
the Marshall House, which was five blocks
from the wharf. The intrepid commander
at once gained an entrance to the building.
1t was yet early, and the residents of the
house had not arisen. The colonel climbed
to the roof and secured the flag. Coming
down he bore it in his arms. But when the
second story was reached a man emerged
from one of the rooms with a double barrel
shotgun in his hands. Facing the triumph
ant federal officer, he pointed the eapon
almost against him and fired. The heavy
charge plowed through the coIonels body.
He fell upon the landing and expired almost
without groan.
Jackson would have wrought further dam
age with his weapon, but was prevented from
doing so by the quick action of Private
Francis E. Brownell one of the squad. He
struck the leveled gun. knocking it upward
so that the charge entered the door frame.
A moment later Brownell sent ball
through Jackson's head. The body was
thrust through with bayonets until life was
extinct. The remains Of the dead COM
mander were placed aboard vessel and
were returned to Washington. while friends
of the hapless Jackson carried his body
away for burial.
History records a profound and wide
spread sorrow throughout the north over
the death of Ellsworth. The scene of his
killing Immediately became a center of IN
terest. The building now standing. while
bearing much resemblance to the old
structure, Is only a part Of the original
tavern in which the shooting occurred
About twenty-four years ago the Marshall
House was found to be on fire. 1t was in
the night time and despite the best efforts
of the fire department scarcely anything
save the bare walls was left. Soon after
it was repaired, but ceased to be used as
a hotel.
Record Of Subsequent Events.
The following is also part of the local
history of the times:
Colonel Farnham succeeded to the COM
mand Of the zouaves. Later in the same
day of the tragedy Colonel Wilcox made
requisition upon the city council for stall
and storage, which that body declined to
furnish. The federal troops took possess;
sion of the market building and several
other buildings previously occupied by the
Virginia troops. Some warehouses and res
licences were also taken. Business was al
most entirely suspended, nearly all The
stores being closed. The next day Colonel
Wilcox issued a proclamation announcing
that he had captured Alexandria for the
United States, assuring peaceable citizens
of protection to their persons and property.
and declaring that all combinations and
conspiracies against the United States