Kimball enterprise. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1883, 1883-06-29
THE FIRST TO FALL.
The Tragic Death OF Colonel Ellis
worth, Shot by Jackson, at Alexan-
dria, As Related by Captain Brown
ell, Who Killed the Rebel on th Q

WoFSA, ouOt Dy OuChSOn, aC AleXan-
dria, As Related by Captain Brown.
ell, Who Killed the Rebel on til 9
Spot.
Twenty two years ago says the Cleve-
land Leader, a Confederate flag hoated
IN the warm breeze of southern cline,
over the Marshall House. in Alexandria,
Va, Virginia had seeded on the pre-
ceding day. Alexandria, which had
been filled with insurgents, had, on the
morning of this, the oath of May, been,
placed under the white flag of truce un-
der an agreement with the commander
of the gunboat Pawnee, that it should
surrender at 8 o clock in the evening, but
still that rebel banner :hoated over the Mr..
shall House, an insult to every loyal citi-
zen. Colonel Ephraim Elmer Ellsworth,
OF the New York Iouaves, as brave a
man and as noble soldier as ever Rived,
tore down that confederate flag twenty
two years ago to-.ay, and a few months
later the first union blood that had dyed
southern soil was shed, Colonsl Ellis
worth paying with his life for that one
act Of loyalty. Jackson, the proprietor
OF the Marshall House, shot the noble
Ellsworth down without one moments
warming. But Jackson met q death as
sudden, bis miserable body one moment
later being pinned to the floor by the
bayonet OF Captain Frank L Brownell.
who avenged the death OF his Young
commander before the blood WAS vel
cold in his veins. Captain Brownell was
IN the city during the past week, and,
at the request OF a Leader reporter,
gave graphic account of the tragedy in
which he played so prominent a part.
which cannot but be read with interest
by everyone on this the anniversary of
the death of the first Union soldier
killed on rebel soil.
"1t was at midnight on May 23, 1861.
that We received our orders to 60 to
Alexandria" said Captain .Brownell.
"Our company, the New York Fire Zou-
aves, had been raised by Colonel Ellis
worth from the fire department of New
York in less than two days after Presi-
dent Lincoln had issued his call for 75,.
000 men, and four days after Fort Sum
ter had capitulated and the Nation was
throbblng in the first throes of revolu-
ton. The regiment had left New York
for Washington on April 20, after over
authorities, who claimed that Colonel
Ellsworth's regiment contained more
men than the State law allowed. | had
Just come down from Troy, and Joined
Colonel Ellsworth's zouaves out of m.
confidence in the commander and admi-
ration of his character. Colonel Ellis.
worth's Fire Zouaves attracted much at
tention on their arrival at Washington.
They were thN first volunteers on the
ground. A good many militia organiz-
atoms We're already al the Capital, but
Ellsworth's command was the first 7ol-
unteer regiment i'll the field which had
had nc previous organization. Els
worth's command was Quartered in the
House of Representatives. There were
some pretty hard characters among his
men, but no worse than among other
regiments raised at the time.
Some acts cflawlessness raised a storm
OF indignation in the city and created r
prejudice against the whole regiment.
Ellsworth ascertained the amount of
damage that had been done and paid it
out Of his own pocket, but the feeling
against the regiment was SO strong that
it was decided to move 1t out of the city.
This was not done, however, until the
Zouaves had recovered their prestige by
their gallant servie at the big fire at
Wizards Hotel.
"When it was whispered about head
quarters that movement was to be
made on Alexandria, Colonel Ellsworth.
between whom and President Lincoln a
warm friendship and existed for over a
year, Ellsworth having been in Lincoln's
law Office and on the stump fol- him in
that year, and having been one of the
party that started with the President.
elect. for Washingt.n-Colone Ellis
worth, | say, went to President Lincoln
disloyal, and he wanted nothing to oc-
cur that might incense them against the
government, but rather wished to so
conduct the movement that it would
win them over. The insurgents must be
driven out of Alexandria or taken with
out bloodshed if possible. The position
of President Lincoln was fully under
stood and appreciated by Colonel Els
worth. He promised to be responsible
vance. Tiis conference was of course
unknown to the command. At IL o'clock
On that night, May 2S, 1861, the men
were ordered into line and Colonel Els
worth made a short address to them,
which he closed with the words, when
we reach the place of destination act
like men, and do nothing to bring shame
upon the regiment. Show the enemy
that you are men as well as soldiers and
that you will treat them with kindness
until they force you to use violence I
want to kill them with kindness and no
matter what may happen not shot
must be fired without proper orders"
Before retiring that night Colonel Ellis
worth wrote the following touching let
ter to his father and mother.
A LETTEB TO HIS PARENTS.
WASHINGTON, D. G., May %, 1865.
"Ny dear parents: The regiment is.or-
dered to move across the river tonight.
We have no means of knowing what
reception we will meet with. although
a:a Of the oi''nion that our entrance to
:!!e ,itv >: \ .sar',' ,ia wi, be h"t,s cnn.
tested. as am just informed that a
large body Of troops arrived here to-day
Should this happen, my dear parents, it
may be my lot to be injured in some
manner. Whatever may happen cherish
the consolation of knowing ! was en-
gagged i'll sacred duty, and tonight,
thinking of the possibility of tomorrow
ana the occurrences OF the past, am
perfectly contented to accept whatever
my fortune may be, confident that He
who notes the fall of sparrow will
have some purpose even in the fate of
one like me.
My darling and ever loving parents,
good bye! God bless, protect, and care
for yon!-ELMEg.
''At two O'Clock in the 2ornn. Of Nay