, 1861-05-25

Tue city was profoundly es1tated yesse1-
day BY the news of the death Of Col Els
worth, slain by secessionist at Ale1an-
dria. Va The first report announced
simply that he had been assasslnated
Every man in Chicago clcnched his teeth |
with firmcr purpose to add new encr-
gics and more terrible destructivencss TO q
war against enemies, among whom poison
and the dagger seem to be the fayorite
weapons. No man has been watched By
our citizens with warmer interest, since
the beginning OF the struggle, than Col.
Ellsworth. On no one hare higher hopes
been built His great efficiency as dis
ciplinarian, his power of command over
his NTH, his unquestioned yalor, and the
extensive information he had acquired in
the field Of military operations and mod
ern tactics, gave promise that in period
of war or civil revolution, when expert
ence should be added 10 his marked natu1-
nj abilities, he would rise to the position Of
3 great commander.
Aside from the distinction acquired by
Col. Ellsworth in drilling his famous
Zouaves and preparing his volume Of tac-
tics, he left upon all his acquaintance the
impression Of unusual force Of character.
when We consider his limited advantages
in the way Of early education, we can but
be surprised ct the method, dcstinctncss
nnd compact brevity Of his language. He
was accustomed to explain and illustrate
the cvolutions Of cavalry, infantry OF az
ti1lery, 10 describe an arm or uniform, or
relate an anccdote, in words as clear, point
ed and forcible as an accomplished para-
graphist. His capacity for command, his
Ren.possession, his personal courage and
dignity we're eli proved in that remarkable
trip to the Eastern cities where he created
such furore with his modest clerks and
book-keepers in the Zouaye drill 4 na-
tional military reputation msdo in time
Of profound peace by an obscure young
man, who nerer saw West Point, Is q ra-
zity indeed. The facility with which be
mastered the most minute details Of cou1-
pany drill Was not more remarkable than
the grasp with which he comprehended
the movements aud requirements Of an
army. The military bill which was intro
duced in the Legislature at its last regular
session, and which passed the House, waa
entirely his work, and in view Of the cir
cumstances then existing it must be pro-
nounced as nearly perfect as possible
With few alterations the same bill was
again introduced at the special session and
again passed the House, but was defeated
in the Senate by one OF two votes.
We mourn his loss for his country's sake
He and his men we're the first in Alexan
d1ia; he 1ns the first 70 tear down the
emblem of treason in Virginia-the first
aIag, to fall! Accounts are somewhat
conflicting IS to the manner Of his
death, but the latest dispatches confirm
the idea that it was foul and dastardlJ
assassination. "6hot in the back"-thi!
tells the damning tale. It is small com
fort to know that his murderer was in
stautly shot through the head- The Fir
Zouaves will have wider and more last
ing revenge for the death Of their gifte'
and gallant young colonel The publ
mourning in Washington and the dec]
feeling excited in New York by tho hagc
dy attest how wide and deep sympath,
is reached by the catastrophe, and uoy
fully the public recognized the heroic spiri
Of EpHRA1A f. ELLSWORTH.