Untitled Document

DEATH OF COLONEL ELLSWORTH.

Colonel Ephraim Elmer Ellsworth is one of the most historic figures of the early war period. He was a national character, yet there were reasons why local interest attaches to his memory, and to the older residents who had known him he still seems as one of their own heroic boys. Colonel Ellsworth was born in Mechanicsville, New York, April 23, 1837. After a brief mer cantile career in Troy and New York. he removed to Chicago at an early age, where he became a solicitor of patents.

In 1858 Colonel Ellsworth was engaged as drillmaster for the old Rockford City Greys, an independent militar y company, which had been organized two years before. Under his instruc tions the company attained a high degree of proficiency. In September, 1858. an encampment was held on the fair grounds, which continued four days.

The Rockford Register of June 1, 1861. in editorially commenting upon his death, said of this brilliant military leader : "Although young, he had proven himself to be surpassed by no man in the land as a teacher of military rules and drill, and, in fact, was the father of the Zouave drill in this country. No one has forgotten his splendid tour through the northern states last summer, stopping for drill in every large city of the north, received with acclamations of joy at every point, and taking his command through that trying military ordeal, crowned with honors, and the reputation of being the best drilled corps of men in the United States."

Colonel Ellsworth was a splendid type of young manhood. He was received as a social lion by the young people of Rockford. He was frequently a guest at the home of Charles H. Spafford, and at the time of his death he was betrothed to his elder daughter, now Mrs. Carrie S. Brett.

In 1860 Colonel Ellsworth organized a company of Zouaves in Chicago, and the following year he accompanied President Lincoln to Washington. May 24. 1861, upon seeing a Confederate flag floating from a hotel in Alexandria. Virginia. he rushed to the roof and tore it down. On his return from the roof he was met and shot dead by Jackson, the owner. who, in turn. was killed by one of Ellsworth's men. Frank E. Brownell. Colonel Ellsworth's blood was the first shed in the civil conflict.

The nation mourned his loss as of the fairest of the flower of her chivalry. The New York World paid him this noble tribute: "He was a hero in the fairest and most captivating sense of the word. He was as handsome as Murat and as brave as ley. He possessed to a degree that winning power over men by which, through all history. great captains and leaders have been distinguished. He was a commander by the imperial right of birth. quick, alert, exclusive, intuitive in his perception of the qualities of men : rigorous in discipline, vet submitting himself to the rigors which he imposed."

Colonel Ellsworth's funeral was held in the east room of the White House. Among the mourners was General Winfield Scott, dressed in the full uniform of his high position. Before him lay the dead body of one, almost a boy in years, who had died in the service of his country, and around him were gathered the great ones of the land.

There were President Lincoln, Simon Cameron. William H. Seward, Commander Paulding, of the Navy. Nathaniel P. Banks, and other men high in the councils of the nation. Sunday afternoon. June 2d, Rev. H. M. Goodwin preached a memorial service on the death of Colonel Ellsworth in the Second Congregational church. The day and hour were the same that similar services were held in Chicago

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