Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 1.
Frank Moore, Ed.

The Seventh New York Regiment halted under orders at Hughes' tavern, at the Virginia end of the Long Bridge; the Second New Jersey Regiment is at Roach's Spring, half a mile from the end of the bridge; the New York Twenty-fifth, and one cavalry company, and the New York Twelfth, and the Third and Fourth New Jersey Regiments proceeded to the right, after crossing the bridge, for the occupation of the Heights of Arlington. They were joined by other troops which crossed at the Georgetown Aqueduct.

At four o'clock, A. M., at about the same moment, the Zouaves landed at Alexandria from the steamers, and the troops before named, who proceeded by the bridge, reached that town. As the steamers drew up near the wharf, armed boats left the Pawnee, whose crews leaped upon the wharves just before the Zouaves reached the shore. The crews of the Pawnee's boats were fired upon by the few Virginia sentries as the boats left the steamship, by way of giving the alarm, when these sentries instantly fled into the town. Their fire was answered by impromptu shots from some of the Zouaves on the decks of the steamers bearing them. Immediately on landing Col. Ellsworth marched the Zouaves up into the centre of the town, no resistance whatever to their progress being offered.

Thus quiet possession was taken of that part of Alexandria in the name of the United States, by the portion of the troops immediately commanded by Col. Ellsworth.

Those commanded by Col. Wilcox, at about the same moment, as explained above, marched into the town by the extension of the Washington turnpike, the cavalry and artillery marching in two or three streets below. The destination of both these detachments was the depot of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, which they instantly seized. They also found near by a disunion company of cavalry, commanded by Capt. Ball, (thirty-five men and as many horses,) who were made prisoners, not having heard the alarm made by the firing of the sentries below.

Every thing found in the depot, in the way of rolling stock, etc., is, of course, in the hands of the Government troops holding it.

A number of secession officers were captured in the Marshall House. They are held as prisoners.

At four o'clock in the morning, a number of Government wagons went across the Long Bridge loaded with picks, shovels, and all manner of tools of that description, and accompanied by a full corps of carpenters and workmen. The United States forces are now busily engaged in throwing up fortifications on the heights of the Virginia bank of the Potomac.

The whole of Sherman's battery (six pieces) crossed the Long Bridge in the advance during the night, two pieces going to Alexandria, and four pieces turning off to the right, Arlington way. At noon to-day Rickett's Light Artillery (six pieces) also went over the river from here.

Col. Wilcox, of the Michigan Regiment, is now in command at Alexandria.

The citizens of Alexandria appeared terrified. Many of the Union men shouted for joy at the success of the military demonstration, declaring that free speech and free institutions were again established there.