Passengers from
Alexandria yesterday report that on Friday morning.
Col. Terrett received information that the
Federal troops would occupy the city at six o'clock, and immediate preparations were made for the
Virginia troops to leave.
Ellsworth's Regiment of Fire Zouaves, in two steamers, touched the wharf about that hour, and disembarked in three minutes, formed into companies, and proceeded into town at double quick time, whooping and shouting in the New York fireman fashion.
It appears that
Capt. Ball, of the
Fairfax cavalry, had told his command that the
Federal troops would not be there until 8 o'clock, and a portion of them laid down to sleep.
The consequence was that forty of these soldiers were taken prisoners.
The Federal troops hurried on the
Depot, but the train, with
Virginia troops and passengers, moved away just in time to escape.
Regarding the shooting of
Ellsworth, by
Mr. Jackson, two statements are made.--One is that
Ellsworth had taken down the flag and was passing through
Mr. Jackson's room with the flag 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 with a pistol, as he entered the house.
Our informants, however, are satisfied that
Ellsworth was killed.
The railroad track in the vicinity of
Alexandria is said to have been torn up by the New York Zouaves.
The
Railroad Bridge has been burnt by the Virginians.
All who could leave
Alexandria by the train did so, and others were leaving at last accounts.
The capture of
Capt. Ball's command could have been easily prevented.
The captain had an hour's notice of the occupation of the town, but told his men that there was no hurry. --Such, at least, is the report.
Nearly all the material was removed from the telegraph office.
