Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1901-07-10
KILLING OF ELLSWORTH
AT ALEXANDRIA, VA.
An Account OF the Affair AS
Seen By One of Ellis
worth's Companions.

The Philadelphia Press prints the
following story of the Ellsworth.
jackson killing at Alexandria at the
beginning of the Civil War:
1t has just been forty years since
the shedding of the first blood ON
hostile soil in the Civil war. The
victim was Elmer f. Ellsworth, col
onel, commanding the Eleventh New
York Volunteers. known as the fire
zouaves. Colonel Ellsworth was
Killed by James Jackson, proprietor
of the Marshall House, at Alexsn-
drla, Va. Jackson, in turn, was
killed by Frank K. Brownell, a cor
poral who had assisted Ellsworth in
lowering Confederate flag which
had been hoisted above the hotel.
BrOwnell rose to the rank of Cap
tain. On his retirement he went to
st. Louis and lived there several years.
lie was the only man who knew the
truth about the killing of Colonel
Ellsworth. During his life be would
never tell the story. Shortly before
his death, in Washington, ID. c., on
March 10, 1894, he wrote an ac-
count of the tragedy. This paper
he left rs IA legacy to his brother, f.
Is. Brownell, now prominent citi-
Zen of st. Louis, through whose
courtesy it is now published for the
first time. la substance it reads
thus:
On May ), 1861, Ellsworth ascer
tanned that the colonies of the differ
ent regiments stationed about Wash
ingtOn had received orders. t.
hold their commands To move at
midnight. Ellsworth not having re
ceIved any such orders, went to the
President and appealed TO him tina, he
might take part in the movement, and
through his personal influence with
the President, he was told that he NAV
20 ON one condition, namely: That
II any breach of the discipline or
misbehavoir occurred by his regi.
ment that he would be mustered ont
of the service.
Up TO the day before the regiment
left for Alexandra, it had never re-
celved anything from the general
government, except rations and camp
equipage. New arms, overcoats, etc.
promised 10y the authorities before
the regiment left New York never
came, all of which caused Ellsworth
TO be extremely anxious as to the
conduct of his regiment upon which
his future so largely depended.
The arms with which we were
equipped. were not received until the
day before we reached Alexandria.
The sharp rifles having been ex-
changed for Harper's Ferry rifled
muskets, with the exception of Com.
pany A, to which | belonged, which
received Harper's Ferry rifles with
saber bayonets, but without bayonet
scabbards.
| shall meyer forget the remarks
made by him to the men the night
before the movement and his death.
The regiment was formed in q col.
umn of divisions massed. He said:
"Boys, yesterday understood that
ii movement was to be made against
Alexandria. | went to:see General
Mansfield, and told him would con-
slider it personal affront if We we're
not allowed the right of line. rs is
our due as the first regiment of vol
unteers sworn in for,the war.
Cali ! can say is, prepare your
selves for nice little sail, and at
the end perhaps a skirmish.
"Go to your tents and lie down I'M
til 2 o'clock, wheH the boats will
come for us, and we will go forward
to victory or death. When we reach
the place of destination, act like men
do nothing to shame the regiment.
"Show the enemy that you are men,
MS well as soldiers, and that you