The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-06-12
From the Sunday Dispatch.
Sketch Of Col. Ellsworth.

Nketcn OF G0l. ELLSWORTH.
Col Ellsworth was born in Mechanics
vile, New York, and lost his parents while
still very young. He subsequently came 10
this city and was placed under the guar
danship of some of his relatives, who
placed him in an educational Institution in
the interior of the State. While yet young
and at school, he manifested wonderful in
,uitive litary tastes, and nothing appear
ed to give so much qualification as TO get
party of his school. and put them
through course of training in the school
of the soldier. His military inclnations
were brought 10 the notice OF some inhuen-
tial gentlemen, who at once proposed to se
cure for young Ellsworth cadelship in the
United States Military Academy at West
Point
The measure was soon accomplished and
at the age of sixteen he underwent a per-
liminary examination, was accepted, and
commenced his military studies. For
awhile he made rapid progress, but sud-
denly he exhibited restlessness that soon
brought his cadetship 10 premature close,
but before he left West Point he acquired
unusual proficiency in the manual of mill
tary exercise and the use of small arms
He returned TO New York, where he re-
mained few years, and about eight years
ago he rem owed TO Chicago, a stranger,
penniless, with no recommendation or posi-
tive me ans OF support. With determna-
ton to be industrious, and to win his way
by humble means to distinction, he soon
achieved distinguished position in that
city. He subsequently prominently iden-
liied himself with the military of Chicago,
and his early military tuition, added TO that
gained at West Point, soon enlarged itself
10 such an extent as TO win the attention OF
his associates.
During the war in the Crimea, young
Ellsworth was a constant reader OF the
reports of the proceedings of that eventful
campaign, and his enthusiasm was aroused
| in reading of the bold and daring bravery
of the French Chassenrs Zouaves, which
/ led him TO investigate their peculiar drill,
with view of forming company of Zou-
ayes in Chicago. He suggested his plan TO
various parties, who al first thought the plan
imprac ticable. But an indomitable spirit
like that possessed by Ellsworth was not
one TO succomb 10 small reverses, and he
continued TO advocate the organization OF a
Zouave corps.
He turned his attention, at the suggestion
! of some of his associates, TO military COM
pany OF thirty or forty young men who ap-
peared not TO make much progress in their
organization, besides having company
debt of several hundred dollars. Ellsworth
presented his plan to this company it was
accepted, he was elected captain, the debl
paid off, and the company reorganized un-
der the name of the United States Zouave
Cadets of Chicago. He at once applied
himself assiduousIy to drilling his company
in the French Zouave system. In the
course of year or SO they arrived at such
4 point of perfection, both in the light in
fanlry drill and The Zonave tactics, that
many of their friends were anxious thai they
/ should visit the Eastern States 10 show
what Chicago could do. Accordingly, in
July of last year, they lef; Chicago on a
/ pleasure tour to Detroit, Niagara Falls
Rochester, Albany, New York, Boston, Wes
Point, Philadelphia, Pittsburg and Cincin.
naii. In this city they were received with
appropriate honors by the Washington
Grays, and they gave an exhibition drill in
the Fairmount Park before the Mayor anC
Common Council, large number of mill
tary men, and at least ten thousand sPecta
tors, and their eyolutions were pronounced
unexcelled.
i Colonel Ellsworth's name will go down lC
posierity as The founder, in this country, oi
the popular Zouave drill Althis time there
are several thousand Zouave organization
in this section and the West, all dating thei
oganization since the tour of the Chicago
ians.
j On bis return home the young Colonel, o
course, was much feed by his fellow-citi
zens. Among other persons who paid hin
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