Comte de Paris, History of the Civil War in America. Vol. 1.
Henry Coppee , LL.D., Ed.

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[163] these were not sufficient to protect it. On the opposite side of the Potomac there is another range of hills which entirely command the capital of the Union, a rugged ground, covered with magnificent forests, where the movements of troops may easily be concealed. These hills, the largest of which is crowned by Arlington House, then the property of General Lee, slope down gradually to the edge of the Potomac, from the point where the river begins to feel the influence of the tide, to the little town of Alexandria, where it becomes navigable for large vessels. They are connected with the opposite side of the river by a bridge of the Ohio Canal at Georgetown and the Long Bridge, a wooden structure situated in front of Washington. These hills were formerly a part of the District of Columbia, a Federal territory placed under the exclusive jurisdiction of Congress, but all the right bank of the Potomac had been ceded back to Virginia. It was of great importance to occupy these heights and fortify them. On the 24th of May several regiments left Washington secretly, and took possession of the whole chain of hills from Georgetown to Alexandria. Only a few mounted Confederates were seen in the latter city. The population, which consisted entirely of secessionists, made but a feeble resistance; but Colonel Ellsworth, a young officer of great promise, was assassinated while in the act of hauling down the rebel flag from the top of a house, and the tragic death of this officer, the first news of the kind that had reached the North, caused a great sensation. The Federal troops immediately set to work to fortify the positions they occupied; in a few days they covered them with a line of redoubts and breastworks, which, although constructed in haste, were nevertheless sufficient to put them in a state of defence. In proportion as the volunteer regiments arrived in Washington, those which seemed most able to take the field were forwarded to the right bank of the Potomac. There was at last stationed near the capital, if not an army, at least a vast assemblage of armed men. The command of these troops was conferred on General McDowell, who had long held an important position on the staff of General Scott. It was a difficult task, but McDowell possessed as much experience of military affairs as it was possible for any American officer to have acquired; he was well acquainted with his profession, and