The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-25
ASSASSINATION CF Colonel ELLSWORTH.
The Sad News from Alexandria-D Details Of the
Murder Of Colonel Elsworth-Bketch Of his
Brief but Brilliant Caresr-Eftec. Of
the Tragedy in this City,
wAsHws roy. Nay "a, 1851.

While COL Ellsworth was msrching with detail he was
shot from the Narshal House, after hauling down
secession Tag, and killed instantly.
This sudden and sad fate Of the zouaves gallant CON-
msnder 10 shocked them thai they rushed with frantic
haste into The grocery store from which the shot
mated and soon made R!soasn n n - Inmates, IN
cludins the assasain and would have hung them all but
for the appeals Of the other troops 7hs murderer hosc-
erer, ,oas iSs:antysho..
Senator Chandler left soon after the ARRAY with de-
fpatches for Warrington, and at that time there had
been other incidents than those named but the ex
ctement among the troops intense in consequence OF
which it was produced
Captain Fox has just made an official report Of the cir
cumstances attending the killing Of Col Ehworth to the
President
1t appears that Ellsworth was marching up the street
with squad Of to take possession OF the telegraph
office, when In passing along, he noticed secession flag
flying from the top Of building. BE Immediately ex-
claimed, "That has TO come down" and, entering the
building made bis way up to the roof with of his
men, hauled down the rebel emblem, and, wrapping il
around his body, descended While on the second door
secessionist came out Of door with . cooked double
barrelled shot gun He took aim at Ellsworth when tbs
latter attempted to strike the gun out of the way with
his Est he struck Of the barrels discharged
lodging whole load Of buckshot in Ellsworth's body
killing him instantly His companion instantly shot the
murderer through the head with revolver, making him
corpse second two after the fall Of tho noble Els
worth The house was Immediately surrounded and all
the inmates made prisoners
The remains OF the deceased were brought over to the
Navy Yard this morning. The doleful peals of all the
bells In the city announcing the sad TO the cii
zens
Colonel Elsworth's remains are deposited in the nea.
little engine house OF the Navy Yard, the fire apparatus
having been removed They are still clad in his uniform,
the breast being shockingly iacerated by the slug
shot. They were sewed up in a red blanket
The body rests on a small bench, covered with the
national fag with wreath Of flowers upon the breast
The building was draped flags and Grape, and a dc.
achment Of the Seventy first detailed TO guard it, All
the aags in the city displayed at mast honor
the gallant deceased The fact OF his death kept
for two hours from his men, to prevent demonstrations
Of violence.
" s stated that when be received the fatal shot
dropped his sword and seizpg hold Of his clothing
his breast tore entirely off, and looking down upon
the wound closed his eyes and fell down dead without
uteripg word.
Before hauling down the secession aag hiu,sels he
politely but vsiny requested hs murderer the
odicus emblem.
number of secession officers were captired in the
Marshall House, and will be held as prisoners
1t appears that Col ELS worth entered the building in
which he shot with squad of men. AMI not with
me- first reported The or the sonist that
murdered Col Ellsworth was James Jackson, keeper of
the Marshs House. The Of the zousve that ss,t
Jackson Brownel. He frat b,ew his brains ou, with
his rife, and then BAY onottcd him.
The body of Col Ellsworth was brought over in charge
OF six zouaves The widest grief Ia exhibited by the
members OF the regiment.
Before wrapping the secession flag around his body
Ellsworth had trsmped it under foot
Icaled at the White House this morning, with Senator
Wilson, of Massachusetts,, to see the President
pressing matter Of public business, and entered
the library remarked the President standing before
window looking across the Potomac running at foot
OF Presidential grounds. He did not move till ap.
preached very closely, when he turned round abruptly,
and advanced towards US, extending his hand xcuse
me-" he sad, ''but cannot talk" We supposed that
his voice bad probably given way from
other and were Just absut To inquire, when our
surprise the President burst into tears and concealed
his face in his handkerchief lie walked up and own
the room for some moments, and we stepped aside in
,lence not little moved at such unusual spectacle,
in such a man, in such place.
Alter composing himself somewhat the President took
his seat and desired us to approach. "I will take
apology, gentlemen said the cPresdent " for my
ness; but knew poor Ellsworth well, and held him In
great regard. jest you entered the room Captain
Fox left me- after giving the painful details OF Els
worths unfortunate eeatb. The event was 20 unex.
pccted, and the recital touching, that IT quite
manned me-" The President here made a violent effort
to restrain his tmotions after pause he proceeded
with tIcmuous voice, to give the incidents OF the
tragedy that had occurred Poor fellow, repeated the
President he closed his relation 'it undoubtedly
act Of rsshness but only shows the heroic spirit
that animates our soldiers, from high to low,
IN this righteous cause Of ours. Yet who
can their grief to them fall in such way
this not by the fortunes OF war but by the hand OF
ass ASSN" Towards the closc OF his remarks he added,
Inert ia one TACT that has reached me, which is great
oopsolailon my heart, and quite relief after this mel
sncholy sisr. learn from several persons, that when
the stars and stripes raised again in Aexanira,
many OF the people the actually wept Tor Joy, and
manifested the yest gralihcston al seeing this fsmi
liar and loved emblem once floating above them.
This another proof that all the South not secession
let; and It is my earnest hope that as we advance we
shall dnd as many friends as .ces."
Az this moment Senator Chandler was announced, anil
he related to the President some interesting details Of
the capture OF the rebel Dragons which effected
quickly that they had time TO mount their horses II
appears that the valiant senator accompanied " hs
boys" as he called the Michigan regiment, down to
Alexandria and back quite satisfied with the whole
performance. though remarked that by this time
the President quite himself again, stll thought
II was not ntipg moment to open discussion Of the
matter which had brought to the white House. we
took our leave without referring TO II.
Col Ellsworth quite favorite with the President
and his family Tho Colonel accompanied the Presidea
as one Of bis aite from Springfield before Mr.
Ilncolns inauguration. He Afterwards rendered
great assistance in clerical way. The Presi
dent admired him for the wonderful energy he
displayed with his company OF Chicago zouaves
with which he made tour Of the United states This
tribute to the memory Of Colonel Ellsworth Is highly
Communicable in the President and win b. appreciated
by the military OF the United States.
II may possibly be regarded NY come as breach Of
strict proprety 10 mako the interesting and touching
We have described theme Of Newspaper comment
President. still