The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-06-06
Colonel Ellsworth.
From the Harrisburg Telegraph.

Col. Ellsworth was born In Saratoga
county, New York, in the year 1887, and
was therefore in his twenty-fourth year
when he fell. He was a student at West
Point Academy, and after leaving that in
stitution he removed to Chicago, where,
eight years ago, he arrived almost friend
less and penniless. His innate integrity,
with the force and energy of his character,
soon won him hosts Of friends, until he
gradually rose to respect and position
aves at Sebastopol led him to investigate
this description of drill. Coming to the
decision that the Zouave tactics were the
most efficient yet studied, he set to work
to organize company of this character in
Chicago, by the title of 'sThe Chicago
Zouaves." After practice of about
year, tour to the East was proposed
The novelty of their drill, their fantastic
dress, the precision of their evolutions,
attracted general attention, not only from
military men, but from the general pub
lie, and Colonel Ellsworth became known
all over the country as the originator of
the Zouave drill in the United States.
Col. Ellsworth at one time studied law
with Mr. Lincoln, and after Mr.. Lincoln's
election to the Presidency, it was gener-
ally understood that Colonel Ellsworth
would be attached to his person. 1t was
expected that he would be placed in some
important position in the War Depart
ment, but it is not probable that such a
position would have been In accordance
| with his desires. Immediately upon the
outbreak of the war he sought active ser
vice, and came forward to New York and
commenced the organization of Zouave
Regiment from members of the Fire De-
partment. The freedom and dash Of the
Zouave drill exactly suited the spirit of
the fremen, and in an incredibly short
time full regiment was obtained.
Colonel Ellsworth was exceedingly be-
| loved wherever he was intimately known.
The impression was sometimes entertained
by strangers that there was a degree of
affectation in his department, but those
that knew him best were his warmest and
most devoted friends.
The most melancholy reflection connec-
ted with this sad and horrible murder,
aside from the loss which the country and
| the service have suffered in Col Ellsworth, l.,
is the impenetrable grief in which it has
enshrouded the heart of one who had en-
shrined the living hero in glory known
only to young hearts love, and to whom
he was affianced for the last three years.
The lady, who is spoken of as highly ac-
| complished, is the daughter of Charles E.
| Spafford, of Rockford, Illinois. OF course
the sympathies of the world would only be
so many intrusions could they reach the
ears of the stricken lady, in the bereave-
| ment of her young love, and yet the coun-
| try will follow her with its coincidence, if
only in the silent offerings of its sympa-
| thies and respect.
We can offer no more elegant tribute to
the memory of Ellsworth than by quoting
the following lines from the pen of John
w. Forney, which originally appeared in
the Washington ,Sunday Morning Ctro's-
| icle:
So young, so brave, so early called,
We mourn above his laurelled bier
| His name en- every heart enrolled,
| To friends, and home, and country dear.
| Struck by the traitors reckless hand,
Falling without chance to raise
| His sinewy arm with flashing brand
| And in the morning of his days,
| Entering upon the eternal land.
He goes his waiting God to meet,
Without sin, without a fear
! And as he walks the golden street,
| Ofyon fair far and wondrous sphere,
The angels all their harps will bring,
| And hymn their holy welcoming.