USA > Virginia > City of Alexandria > City of Alexandria > A Concise History of the City of Alexandria, Va.: From 1669 to 1883, with a Directory of Reliable Business Houses in the city > Part 3
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*The Sea Horse is an Alexandria institution. Its first appearance was in 1754 when George II, King of England, sent a ship of war of that name, with troops under the command of General Braddock, to assist the Colonies in driving the French and Indians from Fort Du Quesne. In 1814 another British Sea Horse came and took away our Tobacco, Flour and Wines. Still another Sea Horse made its appearance in 1853. This Sea Horse, commanded by a distinguished river pilot, having been "blow'd off his coase," sought refuge in the hospitable City of Alexandria, and the result was a grand time for boys, old and young. Tickets for the concert, which took place in Sarepta Hall, were sold in the Market Square by Samuel J. McCormick, auctioneer, and produced several thousand dollars, a good result for the Sea Horse and the "Committee."
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ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
A very large percentage of the able-bodied men got into service, at one time or another, during the war; the rolls of the Adjt. General showing that soldiers, sailors, and marines then enlisted were :
For one year or more,
- 63,179
For 6 months,
-
-
- 66,325
For 3 months, -
-
-
-
125,643
For 1 month,
-
-
- 125,507
For less than 1 month, -
-
- 147,200
Total,
527,654
This represents more than the actual number of men engaged, as many of those who had been out for three or six months were out at other times among the "emergency men" for shorter periods.
The General Government, recognizing the needs of many of the old survivors of the war of 1812, passed an act February 14, 1871, to pension the survivors thereof who had served sixty days or more ; and subsequently March 9, 1878, passed another act pensioning all who had served fourteen days, or been in a battle, even for one day. Under these acts, there have been pensioned up to June 30, 1882, 25,611 survivors and 32,566 widows of soldiers. Of course, from the great age of these soldiers and their widows, their num- bers are rapidly being reduced ; so that June 30, 1882, there were on the rolls 7, 134 survivors and 24,661 widows. The bounty of the Government has, however, added greatly to the comfort of these veterans in their declining years ; the amount of $25,234,232.85 having been paid to them up to June 30, 1882.
. In this war Alexandria was represented by nearly all of its able- bodied citizens. It had four companies in the service : Captain McGuire's company of Volunteers served from Nov. 30, 1812, until March 30, 1813, when it was mustered out; Captain Levin Moreland's company of Militia from August 19th until October 1, '1814, and Capt. Greenberry Griffith's Artillery company of Militia from August 19, until October 1, 1814. These companies were attached to the 1st Brigade of the Militia of the District of Columbia, commanded by Colonel Wm. A. Daingerfield; Alex- andria, then being a part of said District. Besides these companies, there was an organization, composed of sea captains and unem- ployed seamen of Alexandria, known as the Marine Artillery or Sea Fencibles. This company was commanded by Captain B. H.
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ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
Davidson. Captain Francis Dyer was lieutenant and Captain Jas. Mckenzie one of the privates. It is regretted that a roll of this company cannot be furnished.
The following persons served in Capt. McGuire's company : James McGuire, captain ; Robert Smith, Robert Brockett, Jr., Lieutenants; Charles L. Nevitt, ensign; Benjamin Ricketts, Michael Kennedy, James Park, Francis Wise, sergeants ; Richard L. Hewitt, Thomas Longden, Robert Henderson, James Moxley, corporals ; Peter Wilks, drummer ; Ignatius Murray, fifer; Henry Frazier, William H. Finges, William Follin, George Wise, John Talbott, Thomas Irvin, John Boyer, John Rick, Edward Lacey, Joseph Henry, James Morrison, Alexius Johnson, John Jacobs, Leonard Wheeler, William Currey, Hugh Boyd, Livingston Smith, Richard Millington, John Bladen, Joshua C. Laws, John Church- man, William Gullatt, John Gilbert, Catsbey B. Smithers, Joseph Nevitt, William O'Connar, John Atwell, William Cavins, William Frazier, Manuel Ares, Thompson Gardner, Charles Denoon, Joseph J. Ogden, Francis Hall, John Slith, Benedict Wheeler, Christian Dick, Richard Miller, John G. Richter, Jeremiah More- land, James Winsett, Jacob Shindett, Walter Wherte, Francis Savere, Alexander Rannel, Matthew Galt, Samuel Baggett, Charles Deeble, James Scallan, Benjamin Boyer, Frederick Shuck, Lawrence Cashen, John R. Slater, John Lomax, Edward Gaither, John M. Clark, Peter Genco, John St. Claire, William Franklin, James Murphy, Henson Moreland, Charles Stewart, and John Hinkle, privates.
Those who served in Capt. Moreland's company were : Levin Moreland, captain ; Leonard Adams, lieutenant ; Robert Brockett, ensign ; John B. Swann, Lewis W. Plum, George Johnston or Johnsen, John Overman, sergeants ; James Hill, Samuel McClel- land, Alfred F. Simms, William Mulledy, corporals ; John Brown, John Boyd, Thomas Cook, Lemuel Cook, Thomas Dempsey, Josiah H. Davis, Fred. Cryse, James Harper, Thomas Davis, George Hughes, George Lambert, James Lyles, Robert Massey, Philip G. Marsteller, Thomas Moore, John Mudd, William Stoops, Jesse Tay- lor, Thomas Taylor, John D. Vowell, Nathaniel Wise, Barnet Young, Andrew Rantzell, John Tobin, John Hunt, John Smith, William Watson, John May, William Bailey, Zebed. Hall, John Stanton, James Moore, James Bond, George McLeod, John Muncaster, Augt. J. Smith, Jeremiah Dowell, William Guthrie, William
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ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
Ford, Henry Massey, John C. Generies, privates ; two officers' servants.
And those who served in Capt. Griffith's company were : Green- berry Griffith, captain ; James Carson, 1st lieutenant ; John Corse, 2d lieutenant ; Richard Rock, 3d lieutenant ; Peter Rhodes, 1st sergeant ; Giles Ferrell, 2d sergeant ; William Stewart, 3d sergeant ; George Williams, 4th sergeant ; John Baggett, corporal; Abednigo Adams, James Barron, John Blackwell, Ignatius Baggett, John Barnhouse, Samuel Baggett, Charles Baggett, Samuel Baggett, Jr., John Davis, Benjamin Davis, Conrad Duhr, George Davis, Thoma's Devaughn, John Devaughn, Thomas Ervin, Henry Frazier, Ben- jamin Greenwood, John Graham, James Grigsby, Collin Hurley, George Hurley, James King, Wilford Knatt, John Lindsey, Joseph Myers, William Mansfield, Henry Martin, William. Mc- Canley, Joseph McLean, James Miller, James McClish, Zechariah Martin, Charles Norris, Enoch Pelton, William Pressey, William Powell, Hanson Rysen, Ralph Smith, Dominic Barcroff, Thomas Williams, Lewis Weston, Robert Right, Jeremiah Boothe, Robert Hunter, Jr., Alexander M. Rose, Robert Allison, Joseph Fulton, George Fletcher, Robert Hunter, Sr., Thomas Ilaley, Charles Mc- Intire, William Colton and Francis Dyer, privates.
THE JACKSON-RANDOLPH DIFFICULTY.
Robert B. Randolph, Lieutenant U. S. Navy, entered the navy as a midshipman in August, 1810. During the war of 1812 with England he was constantly in active service, and was distinguished for gallantry and daring. He served under Hull in the "Constitution," when she took the "Guerriere," and under Decatur in the "United States," when she captured the "Macedonian." In 1814, he was with Decature in the "President," when that ship was captured by four British men-of-war, and taken into the Bermudas. The Royal Gazette, the official journal of the Island, published an article, reflecting upon Decatur and the officers of the "President." For this publication Randolph caned the editor on the Public Square at Hamilton, the capital of the Island, and escaped to New York, where he met Decatur. During the cruise of the "Constitution" in 1827, in which he served as Lieutenant, Purser Timberlake committed suicide. Randolph was assigned to take charge of the money and other public property in the late Purser's possession until his return to the United States, and on the 27th October, 1828, he
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ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
was notified by the Fourth Auditor of the Treasury that his accounts had been satisfactorily adjusted. A few months subsequent to the death of Timberlake his widow was married to General Eaton, Secretary of War, and shortly thereafter it was ascertained that Timberlake was a defaulter. But a report being started that Randolph was the real delinquent, he demanded an investigation. Secretary of the Navy Woodbury ordered a court of inquiry, and in January 1836, it found a small balance due by Randolph; but exonerated him from all blame. Randolph declined to pay the award by the advice of counsel, and demanded a Court Martial. President Jackson thereupon dismissed him from the service on the 18th of April, 1833, and for the following reason :
"The facts of the investigation prove him (Randolph), to be unworthy the naval service of the Republic, and an unfit associate for those sons of chivalry, integrity and honor, who adorn our Navy." This language gallel the sensitive soul of Randolph far more than his dismissal from that service, of which he had been a conspicuous ornament. On the 6th of May he published in the Alexandria Gazette his defence from the charges made against him by the President. On the day of its publication General Jackson left Washington on the steam boat "Sidney" for Fredericksburg to participate in the ceremony attendant upon laying the corner stone of a monument to Mary the mother of Washington. Randolph carried one arm in a sling. on account of a slight injury, and going on board he discovered Jackson seated at a table reading a news- paper. Approaching him Randolph proceeded to take off his gloves. Jackson, being unacquainted with him, called out "never mind your gloves ;" presuming he wished to shake hands with him. Randolph replied : "This hand is injured; I cannot use it; the other I cannot offer you ; I am Robert B. Randolph, whom you have so injustly wronged and insulted." With these words, he seized the President by the nose and gave it a severe wring. The President seized his cane and attempted to chastise Randolph. A great uproar ensued and in the melee Randolph was knocked down and then hustled on shore.
In the course of the next autumn, Randolph being in Richmond, an attempt was made to capture him. A writ was issued by the United States District Attorney at Washington, charging him with indebtedness to the United States Government in the sum of $25,000. Imprisonment under the law of May 15, 1820, was
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ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
allowed in all cases where a distress warrant was issued against a disbursing officer who might become a defaulter to the amount of $20,000. The eminent lawyer, Watkins Leigh, volunteered in Randolph's behalf without a fee, and advised him, on his arrest, not to offer bail, but to submit to imprisonment. In accordance with this advice, he went to jail, November 13, 1833, where he remained six weeks, and where he was nightly visited by Governor Floyd, and the elite of the metropolis of Virginia. He was the hero of the hour, the newspapers of Virginia teeming with articles in his defence.
In December of the same year, the case was brought before the U. S. Circuit Court at Richmond, Chief Justice Marshall presiding. Leigh addressed the court on behalf of the prisoner, in a speech of extraordinary power and eloquence. At its conclusion the Chief Justice gave his decision, in which the District Judge Barbour concurred : "1st. That the law of May 15, 1820, was unconstitu- tional; 2d, that Randolph was not a disbursing officer, but merely acting as such ; 3d, that his accounts having been settled by Fourth Auditor Watkins, could not be reopened by Fourth Auditor Kendall; and, 4th, that a distress-warrant could not be issued upon a disputed case in the settlement of accounts." Randolph was then discharged from custody, and became the recipient of an ovation from his friends.
The Independent Volunteers, Capt. Brockett and the Rifle Guards, Capt. Ben. Kinsey, of Alexandria, fully armed and equipped, accompanied the President to Fredericksburg and united in the ceremonies of laying the corner stone, which took place on Tuesday, May 7, 1833; and, on passing the town on his return to Washington on the following day, Old Hickory stood uncovered on the upper deck of the steamer, while Capt. Morse's Artillery company saluted him by firing twenty-four rounds.
On the day following the assault upon the President, a town meeting of the citizens of Alexandria was held in the Public Square, at which resolutions were adopted expressing regret and indignation for the assault upon the President. Bernard Hooe, Mayor, presided, and Christopher Neale was Secretary. Judge Thomson F. Mason made an address and offered the resolu- tions, a copy of which was transmitted to the President by the secretary of the meeting.
....
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ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
CESSION AND RETROCESSION.
Towards the close of the century, with a view to the formation of a permanent Seat of Government, Alexandria, with a part of Fairfax County, was ceded to the United States as a portion of the District of Columbia. The exclusive jurisdiction of the United States was extended over the town and the adjoining territory on the 27th of February, 1801, and that portion of the District of Columbia was created the county of Alexandria. The ceded territory remained a portion of the District of Columbia until 1846, when by the concurrent acts of the Congress of the United States and the General Assembly of Virginia, with the formal assent of a large majority of the voters of Alexandria given at the polls, the town and county were retroceded to the State of Virginia ; the jurisdiction of Virginia being re-extended at once.
To accomplish the retrocession of Alexandria, Messrs. Francis L. Smith, Robert Brockett, and Charles T. Stuart, by appointment of the City Council, represented the interests of the town before Congress, and Messrs. Smith and Brockett under a special act of the Legislature, being elected Commissioners, represented the town before the General Assembly of 1846-47.
The Southeast corner-stone of the District of Columbia was "fixed," with imposing ceremonies, at Jones' Point on the 15th of April, 1791, by Alexandria Lodge of Masons No. 22, and this lodge participated in the laying of the corner stone of the United States Capitol on the 16th of September, 1793, Washington, then Presi- dent of the United States, Acting Master of No. 22, performed the ceremonies. On this occasion the Alexandria Artillery fired several volleys as Washington appeared in the line of procession, and again on the conclusion of the ceremonies.
WAR WITH MEXICO,
When, in 1844, Texas was annexed to the United States, the question of the boundary between it and Mexico was still unsettled. The Mexican Government contended that the true boundary was the river Nueces, and the Texas Authorities that the Rio Grande was; and when the United States Government attempted to extend its control over the territory, included within the rivers aforesaid, the Mexican Government resisted, and war ensued.
After a conflict lasting for nearly two years, during which the American Armies gained many glorious victories, the Mexican Government surrendered, and a peace was finally established by
.
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ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
the Treaty of Gandaloupe Hidalgo, negotiated by Nicholas P. Triste, as the American Agent, the result of which was not only the establishment of the boundary on the Rio Grande, as claimed, but, also, of the acquisition of New Mexico and California.
When war was declared between the United States and Mexico, Messrs. M. D. Corse, Charles S. Price, Turner W. Ashby, and other gentlemen of Alexandria, raised a company, repaired to Washington, and offered their services to President James K. Polk. The President received them with great courtesy ; but, thinking the Mexicans would succumb in "ninety days," suggesting that their services would not be required, referred them to the Secretary. of War for further answer. Governor Marcy said that if more troops were required a sufficient number could be obtained nearer the line of operations, and with remarks of a highly complimentary character for their patriotic devotion to their country, declined their services.
Virginia being called upon for a regiment of Infantry they made application to His Excellency William Smith, Governor of the State, who accepted their services, and assigned them to the first regiment then being organized under the command of Col. Ham- tramck, a graduate of West Point, the company being known as Company B.
At an election for officers, Montgomery D. Corse was elected Captain, and Turner W. Ashby, Benjamin G. Waters, and James S. Douglas, Lieutenants in the order named ; John II. Higdon, William J. Minor, John T. Young and William Jenkins, sergeants, and Charles F. Force, Silas Moore, Benedict J. Fenwick and Washington Marmon, corporals.
Much credit is due to our public spirited fellow-citizen Lewis Mckenzie, Esq., not only for his aid in its organization, but in procuring a complete outfit for both officers and men, as immedi- ately on its acceptance by the Governor of Virginia, on his appli- cation the Secretary of War directed that arms and clothing be issued to the command. On Saturday, December 12, 1846, escorted by the Mount Vernon Guards and the Ringgold Calvary with two bands of music, (Signor Garcia and Professor Plant,) the battalion being under the command of Capt. Matthias Snyder, the volunteers were escorted to the Steamer Phenix-Capt. James Guy-en-route to Richmond via. Aquia Creek. Reaching Rich- mond on the following day, they were assigned to quarters, where
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ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
they remained until transferred to Fortress Monroe-about two weeks after reaching that city.
They embarked for Mexico in the Transport "Victory" on the 30th January 1847, and arrived at the mouth of the Rio Grande on the 21st of the following month. News of an expected battle quickened their steps ; but, the delay in their reaching Mexico prevented their participating in the great victory which was achieved on the field of Buena Vista on the day succeeding their arrival.
On the 30th of April, 1847, the muster roll of the company con- tained the following names :
Montgomery D. Corse,* Captain ; Turner W. Ashby, 1st Lieu- tenant, resigned February 22, 1848, and Sergeant W. J. Higdon was elected to fill the vacancy ; Benj. G. Waters, 2d Lieutenant, died in Mexico April 15, 1847 ; James S. Douglas 2d Liutenant ; John H. Higdon, Orderly Sergeant, promoted to 1st Lieutenant on resignation of Lieutenant Ashby ; William J. Minor, Sergeant, promoted 2d Lieutenant April 19, 1847; John T. Young and William Jenkins, Sergeants ; Charles F. Force, Silas Moore, Benedict J. Fenwick and Washington Mormon, Corporals ; Joseph W. Forde, Fifer, and Wm. H. Mangle, Drummer. Privates, G. C. Ashton, John Acton, John W. Bangs, Chas. A. Baker, John C. Belt, John Brooks, John Brown, Wm. P. Bloxham, McH. Bramb- lett, Jas. W. Brown, Thompson M. Chichester, Henry Caddis, John E. Carter, Noah Carney, Hampton Carr, Chas. H Cawood. Thos. L. Coppedge, Jas. Compton, F. D. Carpenter, William Doyle, John S. Dulany, Benjamin Dorsey, Robert Ferguson, Amos T. Fisher, Joseph S. Farrows, John Felts, Jas. H. Fowler, Thomas Fegan, Isaiah Fisher, John F. Goodrich, Jesse C. Green, Henry Gordon, Jacob Howard, William Hall, Z. P. Hunter, John K. Henniger, Frederick Hoffman, John T. Jones, Richard Jones, John Lotts, John Keilholtz, William Maxwell, Robert Mullen, Charles Mullen, Albert J. Minor, Michael Moorlick, George A. Moody, Robert Mitchell, Peter Martin, Daniel Murphy, Robert Matthews, Dougald McPhail, Wm. N. Owens, Albert W. Orrison, John F. Poston, Michael Reinhart, Daniel Reisinger, Thomas Self,
*Dec. 6, 1860, Capt. Corse commanded the "Old Dominion Rifles," was Major Alexandria Battalion Feby., 1861, Colonel 17th Virginia Regiment of Infantry, June 10, 1861, Brigadier General Confederate States Army, Nov., 1862, wounded several times ; still lives, and always ready at the call of his country to serve her.
1
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ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
Andrew Sullivan, George R. Snyder, Benjamin Swan, James E. Stephenson, Elias Shaw, John Tridle, William Thompson, James R. Vanzant, Philip White, John Weeks, and Covington O. West.
Information of the signing of the treaty of peace reached Wash- ington on the 8d of February, 1848, shortly after which the army of occupation was ordered home. At this time, Lieutenant Ashby, who was in Alexandria on recruiting service, and being ordered by the War Department not to return to Mexico, he resigned Feb- ruary 22, 1848.
The company arrived at Alexandria on Friday, August 4, 1848, by the steamer Osceola from Fortress Monroe, and, on landing, they were heartily greeted and welcomed. The flags were all flying, salutes were fired, and they were escorted by the military and citizens, through the principal streets, to the Public Square, where they were formally received. In the afternoon a handsome collation was given at the Theatre on Cameron street, where they were again warmly welcomed, many ladies being present.
THE JOHN BROWN RAID.
On Monday, October 16, 1859, the country was startled by tele- graphic announcements, that an insurrection had occurred at Ilar- per's Ferry, in Jefferson county, Virginia, and that certain persons had taken possession of the United States Arsenal, located there ; that they had committed many outrages by seizing citizens, firing into passing trains, killing several persons, and seizing vehicles, which they loaded with arms, taken from the Government arsenal, which they removed ; cutting also the telegraph wires to prevent early information of their operations being known. Nothwith- standing this precaution on the part of these assassins, the news was speedily communicated to the country. His Excellency, IIenry A. Wise, Governor of Virginia, took immediate steps to suppress the insurrection, and for this purpose summoned the troops of the Commonwealth, residing adjacent to Harper's Ferry, and those within easy communciation by rail, to repair at once to Harper's Ferry. It is needless to say that the call of Governor Wise was promptly responded to, and among the earliest to arrive was the Alexandria Riflemen, Capt. Morton Marye, which escorted the Governor to the scene of operations. The insurrection was & brief, but sharp affair. On the evening of the 17th of October, General Robert E. Lee, then Colonel in the U. S. army, arrived
.
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ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
with a company of marines, and on the following morning, Colonel Shutt, bearing a flag of truce, demanded the surrender of the in- surgents, which, being refused, the marines by order of Col. Lee advanced, charged, and endeavored to break down the door of the Armory, which building the conspirators occupied, and where they held as prisoners, several citizens and Government employees. . A large ladder, used as a battering ram, forced the door, under a brisk fire from the insurgents. In the melee three marines and several citizens, held by them, were killed; and among the latter a son of Brown, the ringleader. Brown himself being badly wounded. The Virginia troops, adjacent to Harper's Ferry, were on the ground, when Colonel Lee's command arrived, and shortly after the capture of Brown, Cook, Coppie, Green and Copeland, the latter two negroes, and the other insurgents, Governor Wise arrrived with the Alexandria Riflemen and other Virginia troops. Shortly thereafter, there also arrived the 175th regiment Virginia Militia, commanded by Colonel Chas. E. Stuart, of Alexandria, the 179th regiment, commanded by Lieut. Colonel E. L. Brockett of Petersburg, the first regiment ; Colonel Thomas P. August, of Richmond, the Alexandria Artillery, Capt. Duffey and the Mount Vernon Guards, Capt. S. H. Devaughn, of Alexandria. By ap- pointment of Colonel Stuart, orderly Sergeant Wm. W. Rock was put in charge of regimental Headquarters. After the capture of Brown and his party, the people would have made short work of them, but for the presence of Colonel Lee and Governor Wise, who had just arrived, and who said the conspirators should be tried according to the law of land, and that no harm should befall them meanwhile. Brown and his confederates were removed to Charlestown, Jefferson country, for trial for "insurrection and murder." Brown was executed on the 2d December, 1859, and John E. Cook, Edwin Coppie, Shields Green and John Copeland on the 16th of the same month. This Brown, a Northern fanatic, was a dis- turbing element in the early settlement of the Territory of Kansas, where he was known as "Old Ossawattamie Brown." He was the principal originator of the insurrection, and the chief leader in its short but bloody existence, and whose connections with the scenes of violence and border warfare in Kansas, made his name notori- ous to the whole country. Under the name of Smith, Brown and two of his sons had been lurking in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry for more than a year, under the pretense of buying lands ;
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ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
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