The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-25
SKETCH OF COLONEL ELMA E. ELLSWORTH.

The news of the assassination of Colonel +. f E1s-
worth Of the New York Fremcn zouavee which reacbei
this city yesterday contemporaneously with that
nouncng the capture Of Alexandria by federal troops
received with the profoundct sentiments Of
by citizens in general The circumstances OF ka
DEATH too revealing does the murdercus system oe
warfare to be pursued by the Southern rebels, has
caused a deep feeling Of Indignation in our scm
muniiy which viii spread throughout tho loyal
siatee inspiring patriotism that win noe
expire until full justice is mcted ou, TO tba
rebels who have put the constitution and Law a. de-
1ance. They have inaugurated systcm OF warfare
worthy only OF the ar archal system pursued In tho
South American republics. Colonel Ellsworth was born
in Mechanics e, " " and lost his parents while sti,
very young He subsequently, to this city and We.
placed under the guardianship Of Of his relatives
who placed him educational institution the irte-
rior of the State While yet young and a. school, la
manifested wonderful ntuitive military tastes, and
thing appeared give him much qualification get
party of his school mates and put them through course
of traniI in the school OF tho soldier His military
incnatons brought 10 the notice of some nf1en-
tal gcnemen who at once proposed TO for yo0lS
Ellsworth a cldetshp In the United States Military
Academy at West Point The was soon accom-
pished and at the age Of sixteen Col Ellsworth UNDER
went preliminary examination, accepted and COM
menced his military studies. For awhile he made rapid
progress but suddenly he exhibited restlessness hst
soon brought his cadetship to q premature cloee bus
before he left West Point be acquired unusual PRO.
ccncy tho manual of military and the use &C
small He returned to this city, where he remain
cd a few years, and about eight years ago be re-
moved TO Chicago stranger penniless, with
mendation positive of support. With deter
mraon to be Industrious, and to win his way by hum
BILE means to distinction he achieved dstngl.shei
position in that city. He subsequently, prominently
identified himself with the military OF Chicago and h.s
early military tuition, added to that gained at West
Point enlarged itself TO such extent to vim
the attention OF his associates.
During the war In the Crimea young Ellsworth was q
constant reader Of the reports of the proceedings OF
eventfu campaign, and his enthusiasm aroused in
reading Of the bold and daring bravery OF the French
chasscurs ana Zouaves, which led him to investigate
their peculiar drin, with view OF forming company
Zouaves In Chicago He suggested his plan 70 various
parties who arst thought the plan mpraccabIe. Bas
in5crni,sble spirit like that possessed by Ellsworth
was not to succumb TO small reverses, and
be continued to advocate the organization q q
zouave corps BE turned his attention, ~ tho
suggestion or Of his associates, TO a military
company Of Thirty forty young who appeared
make much progress In their organization besides
hsyipg a company debt OF several hundred dollars.
Ellsworth presented his plan to this company;
cepted he elected captain the debt paid Of and tho
company reorganizcd under the pane Of the Cnited
States Louave Cadets OF Chicago He a once applied
himself assiduousy to drilling his company In the en:h
2ouaye 81 stem. In the OF year they
rived at such point Of perfection, both in the light
infantry dril and the Zouave tactics, that many or
their friends were anxious that they should visit thu
Eastern states 10 show what Chicago could do Accord
ngy July Of last year. they left Chicago pleasure
tour TO Detroit, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Albany, New
York. Boston, West Point, Philadelphia, Pit,sburg and
CINCINNATI on their arrival in this city they were
ceved with appropriate honors and the day Of their
arrival, after having journeyed one thousand
miles they gave exhibition drl the Park before
the Mayor and Common Council, largo NUMBER d
military men, and at least eight thousand spectators.
and their evolutions pronounced unexceneo AZ mat
time the zouaye drIll was 70 most OF
The unique and auny dress OF tne ehcasoians tneir
ones and TRANCE evolutons their mastery precision
and unsnmty Of drl, attracted general admiration from
,hs b,c and won golden opinions for Colonel Ellsworth.
All the cocnels OF crack regiments attended their
srs Of which they gave series In this city and Brook
lyp and studied Colore sworth's manoeuvres. Al the
urgent solicitation Of many OF our leading civilians ana
military men among the latter the lamcnted Colonel
vcsburgh--tbey gave exhibition al the Academy
OF Music, and notwithstanding that was mi isumper
ard the heat very oppressive that colossal edid,c
was eed from parqucttc 70 amphitheare by the s Of
the city on the departure OF the Chicago fran
this city they we're mssnidcently entertained By the
secerd company National Guard, st the y. Nsholas
Hotel In reply TO sentiment complim mentng his corps,
Col Etwor,h replied, "Ihs, II from Witnessing tho
proficiency Of the Na,icnsl Guard of New York 10 mill
rcoNr'NCEp o> risrH AND EIGHTH PAGES