The Western Democrat

THE OCCUPATION OF ALEXANDRIA.

We gather from Virginia papers the following particulars of the occupation of Alexandria by the federal troops:

On Friday morning, May 24th, Col. Terret received information that the federal troops would occupy the city at 6 o'clock, and immediate preparations were made for the Virginia troops to leave. Ellsworth's Regiment of Fire Zouaves came to the wharf and disembarked in 3 minutes, formed into companies and proceeded into the city at double quick time, whooping and shouting in the New York fireman fashion. Our sentinels and pickets at the Long Bridge fired at the steamers as they passed, and all the riflemen down the side of the river did the same. It is not known whether any were killed.

The Flying Artillery and Cavalry came from Washington by the chain bridge. The federal troops hurried to the Depot, but the cars with the Virginia troops moved off just in time to escape, taking all except a small cavalry company.

It appears that Capt. Ball of the Fairfax Cavalry, told his men that the federal troops would not be there till 8 o'clock, and a portion of them laid down to sleep. The consequence was that forty of them were taken prisoners. The capture could have been prevented if Capt. Ball had not proven a traitor.

Regarding the shooting of Col. Ellsworth by the proprietor of the Marshall House, Mr. Jackson, two or three statements are made. One is that Ellsworth had taken down the southern flag and was passing through Jackson's room with it wound around him. Mr. Jackson, who was in bed, demanded the cause of the intrusion, and Ellsworth cursed him; whereupon Jackson shot him down with a double-barrel gun. The Zouaves then rushed in and murdered Mr. Jackson. Another account states that Jackson shot Ellsworth down as he entered the house. And another account says that Ellsworth ascended to the roof of the Marshall House, and secured the flag. Coming down with the flag, he met Jackson and remarked "Here I have got a prize." Jackson replied "Yes, and here is another prize"—at the same time leveling his double-barrel shot gun and shooting Ellsworth dead on the spot. Certain it is, both Jackson and Ellsworth were killed.

Mrs. Jackson and her sister, it is stated, took possession of the flag, drew revolvers and defied the Zouaves, who endeavored to take it from them. The ladies tore the flag into shreds, determined that it should not pass into the hands of Lincoln's ruffians.

The telegraph office was the first place seized by the Lincolnites, but the operator had just time to gather his instruments and run round the corner of the street as the ruffians entered the office from a different direction. The office was rendered completely useless, as all the instruments were removed to Manassas Junction. The wires at the Junction were detached so that the enemy at Alexandria cannot hear anything from the interior.

The citizens left Alexandria as fast as possible. The railroad track in the vicinity of Alexandria was torn up by the Zouaves, and the railroad bridge was burnt by the Virginians.

The Richmond Dispatch, speaking of the murder of Jackson, says:

"The noble Virginia patriot who has been butchered by this invading horde, was one of the most exemplary citizens of Alexandria. His family and his country have been despoiled of a precious jewel. But his fame will last for generations, and his example will be followed by every man and boy in Virginia and the South who can pull a trigger.

Henceforth let us have no more words, no more hopes of peace. We are in war, with depraved, brutal and merciless savages, and our only motto, by day and night should be—'War to the Knife.'"