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:
Chicago May 10th 1861
Col EE Ellsworth
Dear Sir.
I telegraphed you from Springfield a day or two since with regard to position in your Command- have not recd an answer and so concluded to write.
Fergus spoke to me about going with himself and Coats and I should have gone then had I recd any direct word from yourself. The Zouave Regt of Chi- is trusted only four of the companies by straining every nerve getting into the 13th Regt or rather the 14th of the second State call- and so enlisted for only 30 days. I suppose you have heard that Jo Scott has been elected Col- Thed Harding Lt Col & Baldwin Major- of this Regt- With regard to myself- I have thrown up my situation in the Marine Bank with the intention of going to war- and now that I have gone into the thing I dont want to back down without an effort- and I believe I had as [illeg] jerk a philthy musket with you as any man I know of- When I went into this business it was the understanding with all the boys that you were coming on here to take charge of the affair- and (without soft [soap?]) I am confident that had you done so we would have been all right- Now Col I hope you wont read this letter and throw it aside- but if you can do anything for me I would be extremely obliged- and if you cant I am very sorry for it’s a damned shame (to use a hardy expression) when a man wants to fight or his country- that he shouldnt have a chance- If you will answer immediately by telegram I will pay all expenses- and be very much obliged
Very truly yours &c
Saml S. Boone
Citation:Samuel S. Boone, autograph letter signed to Elmer Ellsworth. 10 May 1861.AMs 811/2.6
St. Louis, Missouri–The Civil War reaches St. Louis. Pro Union forces under Capt. Nathanael Lyons and Francis Preston Blair make plans to seize Camp Jackson which is held by elements of the pro Southern Missouri state militia. Lyons takes the camp and marches the captured militia through the city. Gunfire erupts and approximately 28 citizens are killed.
Maryland passes a resolution calling on the North to halt it’s war against the South.
Gen. R.E. Lee is placed in command of all Virginia troops.