Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-05-30
The Murder of Col. Ellsworth--The
Feeling in Chicago.

Feeling in Chicago.
fr3 From the Tribune Of Saturday,
The city was profoundly agitated yester-
day by the news of the death of Col. Ellis
worth, slain by Sccessionist at Alexandria,
va. The first report announced simply that
he had been assassinated. Every man in
Chicago clenched his teeth with firmer
purpose to add new energies and more ter
rible destructivcness to war against
enemies, among whom poison and the dag
ger seem to be the favoiite weapons. No
man has been watched by our citizens with
warmer interest, SINCE the beginning of the
struggle, than Col. Ellsworth. On no one
have higher hopes been built. His great
efficiency as disciplinarian, his power of
command over his men, his unquestioned
valor, and the extensive information he had
acquired in the fed of military operations
and moderf tactics, gave promise that in a
period Of war or civil revolution. when ex-
perience should be added to his marked
naturalabiities, he would rise to position
OF great commander.
Aside from the distinction acquired by
Col. Ellsworth in drilling hisfamous Zouaves
and preparing hisyolume of tactics, he left
upon all his acquaintances the impression of
unusual force of character When we CON
slider his limited advantages in the way Of
early education, we can but be surprised at
the method, distinctness and compact brevity
Of his language. He was accustomed to
explain and. illustrate the evolutions of cav
airy, infantry or artillery, to describe an
arm or uniform, or relate an anecdote, in
words as clear, pointed and forcible as an
accomplished paragraphst. His capacity
for command his self possession, his person
al courage and dignity, were all'proved in
that remarkable trip to the Eastern cities,
where he created such furore with his mod
est clerks and book keepers, in the Zouave
drill.
A national military reputation made in a
time ofprofound peace by an obscure young
man, who never saw West Point, is a rarity
indeed. The facility with which he mastered
the most minute details of company drill was
not more remarkable, than the grasp with
which he comprehended the movements and
which was introduced in the Legislature at
the House, was entirely his work, and in view
of the circumstances then existing it must
be pronounced as nearly perfect as possible
With few alterations the same bill wa,
again introduced at the special session and
again passed the House, but was defeated
in the Senate by one or two votes.
In another place the Tribune says.
Ifthe death of Col. Ellsworth as the con
sequence of his rash but gallant act, serve.
to teach other young officers that their firs
duty is to the men under their command
and that the desire to do deeds of great per
sonal daring must be subordinate to the du
ties and responsibilities of official station
he will not have died wholly in vain. W.
trust that the Conmandcr-in-C Chief will make
the tragedy the text for General Order
which, while it will stimulate the courage
and warm the blood of the gallant soldier,
who are called to lead, will make them mind
tul of the facts which we set forth. In poo,
Ellsworth s case, the desire to carry off tn,
first trophy of the campaign, and to achieve
personal distinction by the act, led him, a,
we are at present advised, to rash venture
which has had terribly mournful result
Let it be lesson!