Col. Elmer Ellsworth was a lawyer and soldier and friend of Abraham Lincoln who would become one of the first casualties of the Civil War. As a colonel of the Chicago National Guard Cadets before the war, Ellsworth introduced French-inspired Zouave uniforms and drills to the unit. He worked in Lincoln’s law office in August 1860 and assisted him during the fall campaign. After Lincoln’s election he helped organize troops, including the 11th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, which was composed of fire fighters. He was shot and killed on May 24, 1861 while removing a large Confederate flag from a tavern in Alexandria, Virginia.
Transcript:
At a meeting of the “Governors Greys” Co. “I”, First Regiment, “Iowa Volunteers”, held at “Head Quarters”, Keokuk, Iowa. May 25th 1861. Capt. F. J. Herron in the chair, the following resolutions were reported by a committee previously appointed and unanimously adopted.
Whereas,
The announcement has been made to us at Roll call, this 25th day of May 1861, by Capt. Herron, of the Death of Colonel E. E. Ellsworth, of the New York Fire Zouaves Regiment, at the taking of the City of Alexandria, Va. And
Whereas, as Western men and soldiers, we claim a peculiar tie, and an especial interest in one, who in a neighboring State, acquired a military fame, both National and undying, therefore
Resolved: That we have heard with profound sorrow, of the untimely and cruel death of one who, though young in years, had acquired a reputation as an accomplished and brave gentleman and soldier, as deserved as it is widespread, and to which few, however long their lives, can ever hope to attain.
Resolved: That the manner and means of his death, have affected us with the deepest mortification and indignation; that one, himself the soul of honor, and the very incarnation of personal chivalry and courage, should have met his death by means so cowardly and treacherous as the hand of an assassin.
Resolved: That we denounce the act by which Col. Ellsworth came to his death, as murder of the basest and most dastardly description: that it is a new and convincing proof, out of many, that the foes, whom we have to meet, are as ignorant of the nature, and as destitute of the profession of the virtues of honor, courage and magnanimity, as they are of common honesty, patriotism, and humanity: that we refuse to recognize the conflict in which we are engaged as a fraternal strife, in any sense of the word: that we do not acknowledge as brothers, those whose instincts are brutish, whose mode of warfare is barbarous and heathenish, whose acts are dishonest, dishonorable and cowardly.
Resolved: That so far as in us lies, and so far as the opportunity is placed within our power, we promise with one voice, to avenge the death of Col. Ellsworth, with the blood of traitors- of men, who are guilty in fact of the dastardly act for which we mourn.
Resolved: That in token of our sorrow at this sad event, the colors of this Company be displayed at half mast, and draped in mourning.
Resolved: That a copy of these Resolutions be transmitted to the relatives of the deceased and forwarded to the press for publication.
F. J. Herron
Capt. Co. I.
Citation:Company I, First Regimnet Iowa Volunteers; Resolutions passed May 25, 1861. Keokuk, Iowa. AMs 811/2.6