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.
Washington City Apl 26th 1861
My dear Col.
We are at last in Washington- The daily papers have doubtless posted you in regard to our progress- Our march from Anapolis on the R. Road track was a hard one- We started at 4 to 8 Oclock in the morning (Wednesday) and marched steadily excepting about two hours rest, until daylight Thursday before we reached the junction of the Washington Road- As a matter of course we […] all pretty well used up- The road in twenty places at least […] was rendered impassable by the removal of the Rails and destruction of the bridges- The material in the ranks however enabled us to make the repairs very rapidly. The government met us at the junction with a train and brought us through at once- We are quartered in the Capitol and shall remain here for a few days until our Camp equipage- which was left at Anapolis can be brought through- The sight for our Camp has not so far as I know been yet selected- Our men are in excellent spirits- notwithstanding their disappointment in not meeting the contemptible scoundrels who obliged them to build a rail road anew for the sake of having a clean shirt in Washington-
Not an officer has yet been able to get his baggage through- The government seized two days ago the R. Road to the junction from Washington and are obliged to keep a guard stationed to prevent its destruction- I saw Mr. Nicolay and his assistant and remembered you to him- Whatever you desire me to do for you in that quarter, command and it shall be attended to as far as lays in my power- All Washington was delighted to see us, and we anticipate a pleasant time, especially if Jeff. Davis would only show himself in the neighborhood- I have […] that the Chamber of Commerce are going to equip your Regiment and you will soon be ready to start from the City- Write me the particulars
Yours in haste Shaler
Citation: Capt. Shaler, autograph letter signed to Elmer Ellsworth. Washington, D.C.; 26 April 1861. AMs 811/2.6