Page 135-136, Published 1836
The occupation of the "sacred soil" of Virginia soon became necessary to the
safety of the national capital. It was undertaken in the latter part of May.
The enthusiasm with which the loyal states had met the crisis of danger
encouraged the government to push on and punish the aggression which had
precipitated that crisis.
With a view of attacking, if possible, but, at any rate, of strenuously
defending its position, the Confederacy held, in considerable force, the whole
line from the Chesapeake to Edwards's Ferry, 25 or 30 miles above the capital.
With a vigor which would have been afterward repeated with good effect, the
government decided to take the offensive and to occupy Alexandria, about six
miles below Washington, and join the opposite side of the Potomac.
General Mansfield, with about thirteen thousand men, led this important
movement. It was an impressive scene which the night preceding the attack
ushered in. Vague hints had been given out of a storm about to burst forth
at a moment's warning; and, in profound stillness, under a full moon, a busy
preparation was being made; scouts were sent out in every direction; the men
were suddenly summoned to the novel business of war, their bayonets glittering
in the cold light; upon the river, steamers were being laden with troops and
the machinery of strife: then the movement was made; and when the citizens of
Washington awoke on the morning of the 24th of May, the ripe result was
announced of operations that had been begun and consummated while they were
asleep. At about daybreak the New York Seventh touched the Virginia soil,
landing at the Alexandria bridge, near which they encamped. A detachment of
soldiers, with some cavalry and artillery, crossed the Potomac below Georgetown,
and took possession of the Loudon and Hampshire Railroad. The Manassas Gap
Railroad also, running out of Alexandria, was held by the New York Sixty-ninth,
and seven hundred passengers were captured and held as hostages.
Meanwhile Colonel Ellsworth, early in the morning, entered the town with
his Zouaves, severed its communication with the South both by railroad and
telegraph, and so completely surprised the rebel troops that a large number of
them, unable to effect an escape, were captured. Thus was an important entrance
into Virginia opened to the federal army without a battle. One single life was
lost, that of the brave but imprudent Colonel Ellsworth, who was shot by
Jackson, the landlord of a hotel, to the roof of which he had incautiously
ascended to pull down a confederate flag. "Behold my
trophy," said the ardent Ellsworth, as he descended from the trap-door
down the stairs. "And behold mine", replied
Jackson, as springing from his hiding place, he lodged the contents of his gun
in Ellsworth's breast. But the secessionist quickly paid life at the hands of
private Brownell. Ellsworth was looked upon as a noble martyr in the North,
and so was Jackson in the South.
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