| From the Fayetteville (N. C.) Observer |
| |
| May 30, 1861 |
| |
| Occupation of Alexandria |
| The Killing of Col Ellsworth |
| Curious Tragic Coincidence! |
| The Manassas Station correspondent of the
Richmond Enquirer furnishes the most minute account which has yet
reached us. Writing under date of May 25th, he says" |
| Alexandria, yesterday morning, by an
unexampled stroke of military deception, was seized and occupied by the
forces of the Lincoln Administration. ***** Orders were instantly issued
for the assembling of the different companies, and for their
concentration at an available point, for a speedy removal, as the idea
of resistance would have been foolishness in the extreme; and much
credit is due Colonel Territt, commanding officer and the captains of
the different companies, for the efficient manner in which the command
was conducted from the city. |
| To prevent the seizure of the material of
the Orange & Alexandria railroad, the cars and locomotives, large
numbers of which had been brought down the road the night before, were
stationed bout three miles from the depot, and to them the Virginians
marched with such baggage as the limited time allowed them afforded. But
before they had left their assembling post the Northern forces had
landed, and were rapidly spreading themselves over the town. |
| ***** |
| The telegraph office was the first place
seized. Mr. Kates, the principal operator and manager, had just time to
gather up his instruments and run around one corner as the villains
rushed in at the door. The last heard from the office, the Lincoln
agents were busily examining the despatches. They will not make a large
haul, as only two days' despatches were left in the office, all the
others, dating for weeks and months back, had been previously sent away
to Richmond. |
| The telegraph office was rendered useless
for work. Nothing was left but the key, which could not be wrenched from
the table. Mr. Durnin, the junior operator, got the implements all safe
in buggy and passed the pickets at two o'clock. They are safe at
Manassas Junction. The Manassas Gap {RR}
operators immediately detached the wires to Alexandria, rendering it
impossible for the enemy to learn anything from the interior. |
| ***** |
|