Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-06-27

"Ohih . hlhAl+No'
through Jackson's body, forcing him
backward and to the foot of the stair
case. Brownell says that, from the
moment he saw Jackson, until botE
shots were fired and the assassin lay
dead at the foot of the stairs, not more
than minute of time elapsed.
Even in death Ellsworth was potent
to save the city of Alexandria. His
well drilled company, with which he
had travelled before the war, displayed
the discipline of veterans They ap.
pealed to other members of the regi.
ment to remember the last words of
their late commander, in the address
delivered counseling order and obedi-
ence to the will of the president. That
last speech of the young soldier to his
men saved the city of Alexandria from
pillage and destruction. Had it not
been delivered and acted upon, the
Ellsworth Fire Zouaves would have
burned, sacked and utterly wiped the
town of Alexandria out of existence.
But the tragedy was followed by discip-
line and order, in the midst of tre-
mendous excitement The body of the
dead soldier was carried back to the
boat, thence to the Washington navy
yard, where it was prepared for burial,
and then laid in state in the great East
room of the white house. Sergt.
Brownell was detailed as guard for
the remains, and accompanied them to
| New York, Albany, Troy and Mechan-
icsburg. Funeral services were held in
each of those cities, and the interment
was made at MechaAicsburg, where
handsome monument now marks the
spot.
| President Lincoln was deeply af-
fected by the death of Ellsworth. He
went to the navy yard and there viewed
the remains, and with fearful eyes and
mournful voice expressed his intense
grief. Sergt. Brownell was there, aud
heard him exclaim: my poor hey!
Can it be possible that this sacrifice w ss
necessary for your country?"
One of the quietest, most unpreteu-
tious gentlemen in this city to-day is
the survivor of the tragedy and the
Time has dealt leniently and kindly
with him. He is yet a young man in
appearance, barring the few lines of
gray hair which streak and grizzle his
beard. He is about five feet ten inches
tall, slender, muscular and active. He
walks with steady, soldierlike tread
and is always engaged in his official
FORK for the pension Office. Although he
was retired from the service in Novem-
her, 1868, on account of injuries re-
ceived in line of duty, he recovered
and returned to the army and has
since enjoyed comparatively good
health. He was appointed to Gap
taincy in the regular army and served
until 1870, when he was obliged to
again retire. He is an educated gen.
tleman, given to much contemplation
and reading. He seldom refers to the
important event of which he was the
central figure, but has told the story a
great many times at grand army re-
unions, having appeared once at Gin
cinnati before an annual encampment
in the zouave uniform which he wore
upon that eventful day. He was given
the shotgun which Jackson used as a
present from President Lincoln. He
also retains at his home here the rifle
which he carriSd at the time, with
which he avenged his commanders
death so speedily. Occasionally he goes
to Alexandria, and has once or twice
conducted friends to the spot and
pointed out the positions occupied by
jackson and himself in their hand-to-
hand struggle. jackson was prepared
for his bloody work, having planned to
kill both the colonel and the sergeant,
while Brownell was taken at disad-
vantage and was obliged to think and
act with lightning rapidity Fortunate
ly he was equal to the emergency.
| SMITU II FRy