Gazette House (Historical Marker)

Here follows the inscription written on this roadside historical marker:

Gazette House
This building dates to 1801. Between 1852-1911 the Alexandria Gazette newspaper was printed here. In 1862 while Alexandria was occupied by the North during the Civil War, Union soldiers burned this building because it was reported here that St. Paul Church's minister refused to say a prayer for President Lincoln during Sunday services. Restored 1865-67. Facade replaced in 1922.


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More about this marker.
The marker is located close to St. Paul's, at 228 S. Pitt Street.

Regarding Gazette House.
According to the website of St. Paul's Episcopal Church (http://www.stpaulsalexandria.com/about-st-pauls/our-history.html), "[o]n Feb. 9, 1862, the Rev. K.J. Stewart was arrested by Union officers after failing to offer a prayer for the President during the height of the Civil War. A melee occurred in the sanctuary as the congregation attempted to defend its minister. On that same day, a warning was issued to 'females and others,' threatening arrest for offensive remarks and demonstrations—prompted, no doubt, by the actions of several St. Paul's ladies, including one who is said to have dropped her Prayer Book down from the gallery onto the head of an offending officer."

As noted in Occupied City: Portrait of Civil War Alexandria, Virginia by Jeremy J. Harvey, on Feb. 10, 1862, The Local News , published by Alexandria Gazette editor Edgar Snowden, printed an editorial condemning the 8th Illinois Cavalry for its role in Rev. Stewart's arrest. That night, the Gazette offices caught fire under mysterious circumstances. The fire destroyed the press and two neighboring buildings. (The marker directly attributes the fire to Union troops.) In response to the disorder surrounding the "Battle of St. Paul's Church," the Military Governor of Alexandria had the 8th Illinois Cavalry transferred out of Alexandria.