Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-05-24
EVENTS OF LONG AGO.
Former Alexandrian Gives Recoiiec-
tons of May 24th, 1861.

Today is the oath of May, 1913, but
comparatively few of the present IN
habitants of old Alexandria can call
to mind the tragical and exciting
events which occurred 81 years ago
on May "a, 1861, the majority OF
| Alexandrians then living have passed
over the river honored and revered by
those still surviving.
| The previous day the ordinance of
secession of Virginia had been ratl-
fled in the city by a majority OF about
8S4 despite, 1.-The mcnacing and trown-
ing guns of the Yankee ship Paw
nee then living off the city in threat
aning attitude. There was no excite
ment whatever in the city and the
people went quietly TO their homes
and peaceful rest. Their SluInbers
were short, for mt early dawn they
awokc to hear The din of beating
drums, bIaring bugcs, and scream
ing flies, and cries of "thc Yankees
have come" They awokc to sec our
little handful of Virginia troops, our
home boys, half awake and half
! dressed, hurrying to the Orange de-
pot to take the trains to carry them
| Ia lES. In
return, and others only after d lapse
Of four long and weary years.
Then our people were dumfounded
and terrified by beholdiEg, the in
coming squadrons Of the foe which to
them looked like q vast army; Ellis
worth's fire Zouavcs, Michigan rcgi-
mcnt, artillery, sailors, etc, some Of
whom bad come down via The Long
Bridge and others were landed at the
WharvcS by transports. All Of our
men escaped safely to Manassas, with
the exception of Col. NJ. d. Balls
Fairfax Cavalry which was quartcrrd
at slave jail, head of Duke street.
afterwards called the Slave Penn
They had not been aroused and were
all captured and disarmcd with one
exception. a private named Harrison.
who fully armed and mounted dashed
out of the yard and gallopcd out
through West End, after employing
his revolver, and made good his re-
treat despite Il whitening fire from
the invaders. In the meantime, the
great tragedy of the day, which af- |
terward acquired national fame, had
occurred downtown where Col. Elmer
l.. Ellsworth, Of the ZouaveS, and the
intrepid James W. Jackson met their
deaths at the Marshall House, under
circumstances already familiar. TIL.
writer of this with others, was priv
LEGGED to view Jackson'S remains ir
the parlUr Of the Marshall House
later. He looked natural and life
like save for the patch on the nose
between Tie eyes to hide the ghastly
wound made by Frank Browncll's
(Iouavc) bullet.
Among the Incidents of tho day was
q raid on Rosenthal's shoe store on
King street, adjoining Waterman's.
by EllSworth's Zouavcs They had /
been told there was a rebel Uniform
there, RoscnLhal, mot Joe Whitc) |
having been member Of tho Alcxan-
dria Band. They formed a human
ladder and got in through the second i
story window. Soon one of their
number appeared at the window dres-
scd in RosenthaI's uniform, causing
much amusement Notwithstanding the
solcmnity Of the day.
When the union troops made their
landing Willie Morrill,, Of The Alex
andria rifIcmcn, fired a defiant shot
at the Pawncc and joined his fleeing
comrades. lie was killed during the
war. There were many other Incl
dents worthy Of note on that mcmor-
able day, but space does not allow
their mention.
The garrison al Alexandria at the
time Of its occupation, was as well rs
memory serves me, composed Of the
Mount Vernon Guards, Alexandria !
Rificmcn, Old Dominion Rifles, PrcSst.
man Guards, Emmett Guards, AIc%-
andria Artillery, Fairfax Rifles. War |
reu Rifles, Lcesburg Guards, Fairfax |
Cavalry. etc. All of whom aftcrward |
composd the celebrated 18th Va !
Regiment, which in Corse's Brigade
achieved national celebrity for It's
hcroism and bravery on many hard
fought field.
Those of that grand body Of men
who still survive. live, honorcd re-
spectcd and revcred by their fellow
citizens, and the people Of Virginia
and the whole South.