Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-06-03
L
An Incident that Thrilled the
Country in May, 1861.
Washington Letter.l

1t was twenty years ago last Tues
day when Colonel Ellsworth was
killed in Alexandra. lie was killed
by jackson, who was the proprietor Of
the Marshall house in that city. In
turn jackson was killed by Captain
Frank IL. Bronell. The latter is now
in this city. His account Of the
tragedy, which is as follows, is replete
with interest:
1t was on the night Of the 23d Of
May, about 10 o'clock, that Colonel
Ellsworth called the regiment out,
and when we we're formed in columns
of divisions he said: Boys, | heard
this morning that a movement was to
be made on Alexandria. | went to
General Mansfield and told him that
as we were the first volunteer regi-
ment mustered into the service for
the war we would consider it a deep
afront if we were not allowed the
right of the line. Prepare yourselves
for q night ride, with perhaps a Skin
mish at the end of it. When we ar
rive in Alexandra | want you to act
like men and show the enemy that We
are gentlemen as well as soldiers. No
matter what happens, not a shot must
be fred without orders" We were
camped at Giesbora Point, and be-
tween , and 3 o'clock next morning
the boats to convey us to Alexandra
arrived. 1t took us quite y while to
embark, as there we're no wharf heads
at the Point, aud the three boats
could not get up very close to take us
of. As we approached Alexandra
we f,uud the gunhoat Pawnee lying
off the town, and as our steamers
moved up TO the wharf a boat put off
the Pawnee with a white flag flying.
Upon landing the officer in command
Of the boat had a consultation with
Colonel Ellsworth, and, l have always
understood, informed him that the
city had been placed under a flag Of
truce, or, at least, been given a certain
time to surrender. At all events, the
town was under a flag OF truce, from
the officer commanding the Pawnee,
aud for that reason it was not deemed
imprudent for Colonel Ellsworth to
leave His regiment and go up into the
city. We landed at the foot of Cam
eron street, and as the regiment dis
embarked Colonel Ellsworth started
up into tie town accompanied by our
chaplain and the correspondents of
the New York Times and Tribune.
As he passed to the right Of the regi-
meht it was suggested by some
one that he take a guard with
him He called for the first group
on the right of the first company to
follow him, which was made up of a
sergeant, two corporals and two pri
Yates. We proceeded up Cameron street
three squares to Royal street, and then
went south till we ant to King street.
As We turned into King street the first
thing that met our gaze was the rebel
flag floating over the Marshall house,
which was situated on King street
one square further west. When we
left the regiment it was my impression
hat we were going to the telegraph
When he saw the rebel flag,
Colonel Ellsworth turned to the SER
geant and told him to hurry back to
Coyle, who commanded COM
pany A, and tell him to hurry up with
his men as soon as possible. We
we're on the opposite side Of the street
from the hotel, and we then started
on and went past it, and had Just
concluded that Colonel Ellsworth had
decided to leave the flag for Captain
to look after. After passing the
house, however, the colonel stopped
for a minute or two, and then turned
across the street and entered the
building. There was a man behind
the Office counter, and Colonel Els
worth asked him if he was the propri-
,tor. He replied he was not. Colonel
then started up the stairway
or the roof, closely followed by theI
whole of our party. We pulled down
The flag. aud started back for the lower
floor. The stairway wound round
With a complete turn between each
loor. | was in advance, and as II
made the turn between the third aud
second stories | saw Jackson standing
It thehead Of the fight running to the
next story with a double barreled
ihot-g presented. Jumped toward
lim, and with my muske Ell struck down
lis gun. As my weapon slid of | |
,prang back, aud lost my footing, and
ust at that moment Colonel Ellsworth
appeared around the turn Of the stairs
down. jackson raised his gun
With a quich jerk as he saw him, and
ired the fatal shot, and turned to give
ne the other barrel. l had recovered
ny feet, however, and fired upon him
irst, Immediately following up my
hot with the bayonet, my thrust
,ushing him down the stairs, the
barrel Of his gun going of as
lie fell.
Munkacsy's Great Picture.
A Paris i%ournaI snaaking of tb;s