the air resound. From hundreds of windows the ladies waved their handkerchiefs, and from stalwart artisans on the house-tops the cheers came answering back. At every step of the way cheer upon cheer rent the air. Cheers for "the Pine Tree State," cheers" for Maine," cheers "for the big fellows on the left," cheers "for the big fellows on the right," and cheers for the Maine troops; some of the spectators were not content with cheering, but grasped the soldiers by the hands as they passed, and bade them God speed on their mission. The sons of Maine looked proud; and well they might, to look upon the troops from their native State, a regiment only a few days old, yet, in every way worthy of the State which sent them forth, stalwart and hardy, but evincing in every movement, steadiness and subordination.

After being amply supplied with the "good things eatable," set before them at the different hotels, they were escorted to the State House, where they were greeted with an earnest and eloquent address from the governor and others, bidding them welcome to rest and repose while on their weary march, beneath the shade of the old "Commonwealth," welcome to the hearts of Massachusetts, and farewell with a God speed on their high, noble, and patriotic march.

At the close of the remarks, the regiment, escorted by the Cadets and Brigade Band, proceeded to the depot of the "Old Colony " road, and about twenty minutes before nine, the train, consisting of sixteen long passenger and two baggage cars, moved out of the depot. The enthusiasm at this point was redoubled on both sides, and continued till the cars had got far out of the depot.

May 15. Gov. Hicks, of Maryland, called for volunteers, in pursuance of the President's order, for three months' troops for the defence of the national capital.

Massachusetts legislature passed a bill offering to loan the government seven millions of dollars.

May 16. Bridges on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad destroyed by rebels, to prevent the passage of Federal troops to Harper's Ferry.

Gen. Scott ordered the fortification of Arlington Heights. Brigadier-Generals Butler and McClellan were appointed major-generals.

Military encampments of secessionists at St. Joseph's and Liberty, Mo., were broken up..

May 17. The Congress at Montgomery authorized the issue of confederate bonds to the amount of fifty millions of dollars, payable in twenty years, at an interest not exceeding eight per cent.

May 18. Arkansas was admitted to the Southern Confederacy.

The military department of Virginia, embracing Eastern Virginia to the summit of the Blue Ridge, and the States of North and South Carolina was created, and Major-General Butler was placed in command, making his head-quarters at Fortress Monroe.

May 19. United States steamer Monticello attacked the rebel battery on Sewall's Point, at the mouth of the Elizabeth River, by throwing a three and a half pound shot into their vicinity. In a moment, the flag of Virginia was run up, and a shot returned from the battery. Immediately, the order was given on board the Monticello, "All men to quarters," and the firing commenced from a pivot, ten inch shell gun, and a thirty-two pounder; and on the part of the rebels from three thirtytwo pounders, and two six pound rifled cannon. The engagement lasted about an hour and ten minutes, during which time, the Monticello fired one hundred and fourteen times, shot and shell; the shot from the battery struck the vessel several times, but with very little injury. The Monticello finding they were short of ammu

nition, withdrew. Two steam-tugs, belonging to Commander Ward's flotilla, went to their assistance, which, after firing a few balls at the battery, steamed away also, leaving the rebels in full possession of their fortification. None were killed on either side, and but two wounded.

May 20. The North Carolina Convention passed an ordinance of secession. Governor Magoffin, of Kentucky, issued a proclamation of neutrality, in which he asserts that the arms in the hands of the Home Guard, shall not be used either against the United States, or Confederate States.

The Confederate Congress adjourned to meet at Richmond, Va., July 20th.

Jefferson Davis approved the act repudiating Northern debts, and recommended that the money be appropriated to carry on the war.

The government seized all the accumulated manuscript despatches of twelve months, in every considerable telegraph office in the free States, probably to trace the secret operations of the rebels and their abettors.

May 22. Major-General Butler arrived at Fortress Monroe, and assumed command.

Major-General Sanford, of New York, was placed in command of the New York troops at Washington. General Patterson assumed command at Fort McHenry.

May 24. The period of preparation has closed, and the era of action has begun. Orders had been given for the advance of troops into Virginia, with strict injunctions to occupy Alexandria, Arlington Heights, and the intervening range of hills along the Potomac. In accordance therewith, five regiments were designated to act in conjunction with Ellsworth's Fire Zouaves in a movement upon Alexandria.

The orders were executed with great promptitude.

Soon after midnight on the 24th, the forces consisting of the New York Fifth and Twenty-fifth Regiments crossed from Georgetown, and took positions on Arlington Heights, and other of the Potomac hills. At halfpast one o'clock, six companies of District volunteers, including the National Rifles and Turners, something less than five hundred men, stepped from Long Bridge upon Virginia soil. Nothing hostile was seen until they arrived at Alexandria, except some mounted patrols who put spurs to their horses, and fled. The vanguard was commanded by General Stone, under whom General Smead led the centre, Adjutant Abbott the left, and General Stewart the right wing. They stopped within half a mile of the town, waiting for the main body, having made sure the coast was clear. Immediately afterward, the New York Twelfth Regiment followed by way of the bridge; soon after came two New Jersey regiments, and the New York Seventh. The city was quietly entered; no resistance being offered, the Virginia forces evacuating the town, and falling back to Manassas Junction, where General Bonham (United States senator) of South Carolina, was in command of the Confederate forces; and when the sun rose on the morning of the 24th, it shone upon Alexandria occupied by Federal troops, no secession flag to be seen, and the stars and stripes waving over the city.

The entrance to Alexandria was attended by an event which cast the deepest gloom over the community, and was the only fatality to the Federalists we have to record in capturing the city, the assassination of Colonel Ellsworth.

At four o'clock in the morning, Ellsworth's Zouaves crossed the river by boats from their encampment, and took position on the dock.

Simultaneously with the landing of the Zouaves, the First Michigan Regiment, Colonel Wilcox, entered Alex

andria by the road leading from Long Bridge, and proceeded direct to the railroad depot, of which they took possession; capturing a troop of rebel cavalry numbering thirty-five men, who, not being aware of the evacuation of the town by the Virginia forces, so quietly was it performed, came dashing up the street in the face of the Michiganders, and were obliged to surrender, horses, arms, and equipments.

The Zouaves landed in good order, each company forming on the street facing the river. Company E was first to disembark, and was detailed to destroy the railroad track, which they promptly performed. Colonel Ellsworth then directed the adjutant to form the regiment, and, with the aid of Lieutenant Wisner and a file of men, started to cut the telegraph wires, in order that the news of the occupation of Alexandria by Federal troops might not be transmitted to Richmond. They had proceeded about three blocks, when the attention of Colonel Ellsworth was attracted to a large secession flag. flying from the Marshall House, a small hotel kept by James W. Jackson. He entered the hotel, and meeting a man in the hall, asked him who put the flag up? The man answered that he did not know; he was a boardor in the house.

Colonel Ellsworth, Lieutenant Wisner, the chaplain of the regiment, Mr. House, a volunteer aid, and four privates, went to the roof, when Colonel Ellsworth cut down the flag. The party were returning down stairs, preceded by private Brownell. As they left the attic, the man who said he was a boarder, but who proved to be the landlord Jackson, was met in the hall, having a double-barrelled gun, which he levelled at Brownell.

The latter struck up the gun with his musket, when Jackson pulled both triggers, the contents lodging in the body of Colonel Ellsworth.

The colonel fell on his face, only exclaiming, "My