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.

THE LAMENTED DEAD.

Great Demonstration of Respect.

According to announcement, the remains of Col. Ellsworth reached this city, from New York, in the steamer Francis Skiddy, yesterday morning. It was supposed, and so telegraphed, that the boat would not arrive before 6 o’clock, and Gen. Cooper’s orders for the military escort was fixed at that hour. The boat, however, was at the steamboat landing at half-past four o’clock, long before the authorities or our citizens expected it. The remains of Col. Ellsworth were removed from the Francis Skiddy to the Isaac Newton, by the Committee of Fireman-who went to New York after them, and who had them in charge until they were handed over to the authorities of Troy-and the gentlemen of the New York Fire Zouave Committee, the members of the New York Common Council, and the relatives and friends of the deceased were conveyed to Congress Hall, under escort of William G. Weed, Esq., who acted in this capacity for our Firemen, and to whom they are under many obligations for valuable assistance rendered in New York and this city.

As the escort was not ordered for duty until 6 o’clock, the Firemen stood guard over the remains until that hour. Between 5 and 6 o’clock a very sever rain storm set in, and it was feared that this would interfere with the arrangements made for the ceremonies. The storm, however, was of short duration, and although the clouds were thick and heavy, still the rain ceased, and the arrangements were carried out as perfected Co. B and the Zouaves acted as military escort to the remains, which were borne on an open hearse arranged for the occasion by Messrs, Merfield & Wooster. By the side of the coffin stood the young Zouave and avenger of Ellsworth, Brownell, bearing the same musket used to kill the assassin, and the flag which cost Col. Ellsworth his life. The hearse was flanked by the Firemen’s Committee and Military Pall Bearers.

Following the hearse were Lieuts. Gardiner and Coates, and five of the Zouave Regiment, who came on from Washington with the remains. Next came the delegations from the New York Committees, and May or Thacher and the members of the Common Council, the Fire Department, under command of Chief McQuade, following as mourners. In this order the funeral cortege proceeded through Broadway and State st., to the Capitol. The military formed in line and the remains were borne by the Firemen to the rotunda of the Capitol, where they were deposited and laid in the state for two hours, under guard of detachments of the Zouaves and Company B.

During these two hours thousands of people thronged the entrance to the Capitol, to take a final look of the murdered patriot. Mayor Thacher stood beside the corpse during the whole time, and by his exertions hurried the people along, so as to enable all who desired it to see the remains of one whose life will occupy a bright page in his country’s history.

At half –past nine o’clock the remains were removed from the Capitol by the Firemen’s Committee, to the hearse. The military escort under command of Gen. Frisby, moved promptly, the line being formed as in the morning, on the arrival of the remains, the Burgesses Corps and the young men of Albany taking position on the left of the line. Col. McQuade’s and Col. Jackson’s Regiments of Volunteers were drawn up in line on the north side of State street, and saluted the remains as they passed. The streets were completely packed with people, and all evinced their respect for the memory of the gallant soldier, by uncovering as the hearse passed them. We doubt whether any of our citizens have ever seen a great assemblage of people in our city than on this occasion.

The remains were taken to the Steamboat Landing where they were placed on board the steamer McDonald-which had been chartered for the occasion-and in charge of the Firemen’s Committee, accompanied by delegations from Company B, the Zouaves, the Burgesses Corps, the young men of Albany, and Committee of the Common Council, were conveyed to Troy, where they were delivered to authorities of that city

Notwithstanding the very limited time for making the arrangements, everything passed off without annoyance. The demonstration was worthy the occasion and the respect shown for the memory of the deceased was just what we expected from the people of the Capital.

We are requested to state that the Firemen’s Committee will publish a card expressive of their obligations to those who aided them in the performance of their melancholy duty.

Citation:  Albany Morning Express.Albany, 28? May 1861. AMs 811/2.8

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:

Headquarters Peoria

Zouave Cadets

Peoria Ills. 27^th May 1861

Mr E. Ellsworth

Mechanicsville N.Y.

Dr Sr. At a meeting of the Peoria Zouave Cadets, held at their Armory on the Evening of the 25^th inst. the following resolutions were passed unanimously.

Whereas, We have learned with deep regret of the death of Colonel Ephraim E. Ellsworth, Commander of the New York Fire Zouaves, and

Whereas, We feel in this bereavement that the country by a treacherous hand has been robbed of one of her noblest sons and bravest soldiers, and the head of the most complete, beautiful and useful school of military tactics known to the civilized world; therefore

Resolved. That as men and soldiers we unite with one common country in mourning this sad bereavement, and pledge our lives and reputations to avenge the cowardice by which a brave and gallant soldier was taken from the head of the Zouaves in the United States, while tearing down the flag of the Traitor in his native land.

Resolved. That in token of respect to our gallant brother, we will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.

Resolved. That we deem it but justice to the memory of Col. Ellsworth, that the Executives of the State and Nation accept all Companies of Zouaves who have, or may hereafter tender their service to the country for the war. That they may have an opportunity to evince by their bravery, their undying love for the deceased head of this peculiar school of Military Tactics.

Resolved. That these resolutions be engrossed on the records of this company and published in the Daily and Weekly papers of the city, and that a copy be sent to the family of the deceased.

J. H. Stesson

S. R. Baker

G. B. Swarthout

Committee

In accordance with the above resolutions, it becomes my duty to forward them to you.

Trusting that the irreparable loss you and our country has sustained may be sanctified to our good.

Citation:Peoria Zouave Cadets, Resolutions passed May 25, 1861. Peoria, Ill.; 27 May 1861. AMs 811/2.6

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:

Hollidaysburg Blair Co. Pa. May 27/1861

To Colonell Ellsworths Father

My brother tis by this hallowed name. I address and solace offer you. It is not the prompting of the outward, my soul has been baptised and may I say almost overwhelmed in grief. my heart was maimed.. that he young noble and generous, beloved by all, should go down so soon, and in this way. to the nation the Cost is great, but the roots of the tree of liberty no common blood could take, it must be one on whome the affections of the nation was placed, that this sacrifice might bring us to a condition in which we the more plainly could see and feel the magnitude and importance of the work before us. and from that hour we looked with fresh hope with renewed encouragement and for better fruit. since the roots with greed have drank again of the precious blood of an American Marter, Ah the strong flow of soul, the unity of purpose. the determination to be avenged needs no more of provocation to lead us as one soul to the fount of liberty to baptise anew our souls in the living watters of American patriotism, notwithstanding when I contemplate the sad event the blood seems to tingle in my veins and the tear oozes from the briney socket and I exclaim

Great Good and was it he

This sacrifice should make

That incense might to heaven arise

This nation to awake

Twas fitting that a noble soul

Should in this contest fall

If any must be given up

In freedoms earnest call

I conclude with you in this great loss, and refer you to the true course for consolation with the true sympathy of a friend I close very Respectfully C. C. Price

Citation:C. C. Price, autograph letter signed to Ephraim Ellsworth. Hollidaysburg, Pa; 27 May 1861. AMs 811/2.6

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 25^th 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 25^th 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

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:

In Memoriam.

A great calamity, like sudden

Earthquake, or the lightning’s flash, with death’s

Dark hand- destroying the people of some

Neighboring city, could not have filled

With more feverish heat, for an hours space,

The hearts of the multitude in this great

Metropolis, than the word that came from

Our Nations Capitol, that a gallant Soldier,

A leader, a Colonel of a noble regiment,

Had by a shot from rebel hands, been lain

A corpse, in one brief minute.

The message, from its source,

Was not once doubted, and then the startling

Truth that our friend and favorite, who from

Love of country had left his western plains

To fight for Law and Liberty,

The brave and noble Colonel Ellsworth,
Could only now be mentioned in the past.

The shock was great to all our townsmen,

And while I write the magnetic stories

Are telling the sad tale throughout the land.

All business ceases for a time,

And each one feels himself a mourner,

The countenance portrays the earnest thought

Of every mind, and words of praise proceed

From every lip.

And how else could it be in sympathy

For one, who fired by a Patriots zeal,

Left home and friends, when duty called

And coming to our City, surrounded in a few

Short hours from among our Firemen

A band of true and able men-

A thousand strong- to enter in the contest

For Government, Liberty, and a Nation’s life.

With ready, cheerful hearts, they raised

To Heaven, one beauteous eve. their sacred

Promise, to cherish ever their love of country,

And their country’s God,- and with highest honor

To maintain their Nation’s Flag.

Protesting from traitor hand, those, who

Proving true to there great principles

Where’eer they might be found in our great

And broad domain.

The day of their departure from the

New Worlds Chief Emporium, came and passed

With unusual splendor: all things tended

To fill the heart with hope and trust:

The sky with clearness bright, looked down

And blessed the scene- while the voices of

The populace breathed a loud and long, amen.

So moved for grounds

Of higher action, a stately regiment

With him in wild command, who but a

Few months since entranced our people

With a show of wondrous skill in “military

Tactics,” and gave himself the name of

“Father of Zouaves”- who by his lofty learning

And example- has drawn with a magnet

Power- the high regard and love of all our

Countrymen, where’e’er he went, and our own

President, who commands the station now

And guides the ship of State so admirably

And true, restoring in Eleven short weeks

From chaos & confusion, the highest offices

Of government- making them to move

With order and precision- was linked

By friendships chain, to him

Whose death we now lament.

Having reached the land, on which the

Hand of Anarchy and treason had laid

Its hold, our gallant Colonel is the first

In war to lead the battle.

The movement designated, all hands

With one accord, joined by brother

Regiments- proceed to quietly possess

The town of Alexandria.

The march is made at night,

And long before the break of day,

Which finally did usher in a solemn scene.

Our men are ordered, with hearts beating high

And thoughts of glorious Service,

To make advance! Their adversaries

At this one point they knew were few,

But standing on the soil that now

Dishonors the grave and memory of Washington

And other founds of our proud republic,

A fresh impulse roused their spirits.

A rebel flag, with seven small stars, disgraced

Was half unfurled by southern winds,

As if its very threads by freemen’s hands

Constructed, refused to do its office full

For Southern traitors.

‘Twas not long seen ere the Colonel

Does himself take down from its high staff,

In face of dangers, viewed by his men

Around him, with loud applause.

A moment later, the fatal hour of his

Dear life comes, a bullet from

An assassin’s hand does the deadly

Work.

The hero of the scene,

With gasping breaths and fired eyes,

Turns to the soldiers who before him

Stands, and pointing to the fatal wound

Trembles, falls, and dies!

The murderous heart that prompted

The act so evil, is soon made lifeless

By shot and bayonet from our troops

Now sore, revengeful- the traitor

Blood is now hard clotted, and the form

Dead and cold, lies a warning to our foes.

Sadly is bourne to Washington

The corpse of him, who just before

Had shown his valor in a noble cause-

And his death and burial will ever

Be a scene of mournful recollection,

But o’er our drooping, sorrowing spirits

The thought will come that he died

In his Country’s cause, true & just

F. A. Burger

New York May 24 ‘61

#384 & 386 Broadway

Citation:F. A. Burger, “In Memoriam.”1861.AMs 811/2.6

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:

Memory of Col. Ellsworth

Washington D.C. May 24, 1861,

Hall Franklin Fire Company, No. 4.

At a meeting of the Franklin Fire Company on Friday evening, May 24^th, it as unanimously resolved that a committee of give shall be appointed to draw up suitable resolutions of respect to the memory of the late Colonel E. E. Ellsworth, and that a copy be sent to the Zouave Regiment and New York Fire Department.

Whereas the members of the Franklin Fire Company , No. 4, of Washington, D.C., have heard with deep regret and sorrow of the death of the late Col, E. E. Ellsworth, of the Fire Zouaves of New York, whose manly virtues, high integrity and gallant bearing, endeared him to all who knew him, and commanded he respect of all, while bowing submissive to the mysterious decrees of an all just God, we cannot allow the occasion to pass without uniting our voices with the thousands of our land who are now offering spontaneous testimonials of respect to the memory of a gallant young hero, and, while our hearts are painfully stirred by his untimely fate, record our homage of those lofty qualities in his character which will make his name imperishable.

Resolved, that in his death our county has lost a brave and gallant officer whose private virtues and noble character gathered around him a circle of friends who now deplore his loss, feeling that a bright star has suddenly gone out from the horizon of life, leaving only the memory of its splendor to cheer the gloom; when the dark cloud of disunion cast the shadow of its pall over the bright stars and stripes of our flag, the heroic Ellsworth was the first who gave up all for his county and the defence of its honor, and who gathered around him, inspired by his brave and patriotic spirit, the gallant sons of the Empire State.

Resolved, That we heartily and sincerely condole with the parents of Vol. Ellsworth in this their hour of affliction; knowing, however, that his loss must have struck deep grief into their hearts, the memory if his virtues and goodness and the fact of his having given his young life so entirely for his country’s good, must at the same time crown their gray hairs with honor, and lift up their senses with the firm hope that, beyond the dark veil which he was called to pass, his reward is eternal.

Resolved, That, with our brothers of the New York Fire Department, we mourn his loss; they have lost a friend and good counselor, one who rejoiced with them in their success and joys, and shared their dangers and griefs ; they have lost a friend and bright example, whose lessons of kindness will never be forgotten.

William H. Beardsly, Ch’n.

George R. Crossfield.

Edward Crampton.

Andrew Jackson.

Louis William Dorsey.

Citation: Memory of Col. Ellsworth. May 1861. AMs 811/2.8