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. He was shot and killed on May 24, 1861 while removing a large Confederate flag from a tavern in Alexandria, Virginia.
Transcript:
Chicago Jany 12th 1861
Dear Colonel,
From present appearances I think the U.S. Government will issue a call for troops from the different States. Should this be done I presume your regiment will be among the first to volunteer, and in case they do so I would like to join your staff if it could be arranged, say as paymaster. What do you say could anything of this kind be effected; and would such an arrangement, be acceptable and pleasant to you? Please write in relation to this matter, per return mail, and you will much oblige
Your Friend
C. C. Farnham
Citation: C.C. Farnham, autograph letter signed to Elmer Ellsworth. Chicgao, 12 January 1861. AMs 811/2.6
Mississippi representatives leave congress.
Federal property in Pensacola, Florida is seized except for Ft. Pickens.