The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-06-02
The WarFiHy
Years Ago
Border statcr Retained.
CONTINUED from page onel

The going out Of North Carolina was
not unexpected. While voting for the
Union up to the firing on Fort Sumter
snd Lincolns call for troops, these two
events, as IN the case OF Virginia, turn
cd her in a day. The boundaries Of
the Confederacy were now certainly
defined While the people of Tennes-
see did not formally radfy secession
until later, IL was admitted on all
sides that she was out of the Union,
making eleven seeded states in ALL
As for the border states, Maryland,
Kentucky, Missouri and the part Of
Virginia west of the mountains, the
north had won her battle to hold them.
During this very week the border
states convention met at Frankfort
with John J. Crittenden in the chair.
Only Kentucky and Missouri were rep
resented but the preponderance OF
sentiment was distinctly for the Union.
The people Of western Virginia were
already moving for separation from
the old Dominion. and General Me-
Clellan was preparing to throw his
troops across the river from Ohio. As
for Maryland, she had again become
quiet, and troops were passing through
baltimore without molestation and
were even being cheered.
There was still to be trouble in Mis-
souri,, including one campaign in the
summer Of 1861 and guerrilla warfare
throughout the contest. During this
~
Joseph tore down the stars and stripes.
While there was little Of the spec.
tacuar in the holding Of the border
states, it counted for more to the north
than the winning Of many battles.
Had Maryland, Kentucky and Missou-
ri seeded. who can tell the outcome Of
he struggle?
Some Of the more radical anti-slav-
cry men at the north were disposed to
criucise Mr.. Lincoln for not taking a
bolder stand against slavery in the
beginning Of the war. But Lincoln
faced this very problem Of the border
states, and in the light of subsequent
events history gives him full credit
for having handled n difficult situa-
ton in a most prudent and states
manlike manner.
On May 90 the people of Virginia
voted on the ordinance Of secession.
While the poll was not heavy, it was
strongly in favor Of the proposition
east Of the mountains and as emphat-
ically the other way in what is now
West Virginia.
Union Troops Cross Potomac.
Immediately following this election
the Union troops began TO move for
ward all along the line, General But
Ter assuming command in the ex-
treme east, General Mcclellan in the
west, General Patterson with his
Pennsylvania soldiers preparing to at
tack Harpers Ferry and the main
body of troops, forming the Army of
the Potomac, crossing the river from
Washington. This movement started
on the night of May %, and the next
day there were 10000 boys i'm blue on
the Virginia side Of the river, chiefly
Mt Alexandria and Arlington. General
,Sandford was first in command, issu-
ing Il proclamation to the people of
Virginia, but on May 27 he was sup
planted 10y General Irwin Mcdowell,
who later was TO fight in both of the
battles Of Bull Run and who was to
retain command of the Army Of the
ROaomaS Until suppianted by Mcclellan.
One tragic incident attended this
transfer. Colonel L. Elmer Ellsworth
with his 200 firemen zouaves was or +
dered to occupy Alexandria. Seeing
u Confederate flag flying over the
Marshall House. Ellsworth entered
the hotel and asked a bystander whose
flag It was. The man, who afterward
turned out to be Jackson, the proprie-
tor said he did not know. Ellsworth .
thereupOn mounted to the roof, took
down the flag, wrapped it about his
body and descended only to be shot
dead by Jackson, who was lurking in
dark corner of the hall. The assas- .
sin was instantly killed by one Of the .
soldiers accompanying his colonel.
Ellsworth Hero of the Hour.
The deed sent a wave of grief and .
indignation over the north. Ellsworth .
became the hero Of the hour. ! sup
pose more babies were named for him 7
than for any other national idol, ex- .
cept four or five Of our greatest presi-
dents and Henry Clay. Ellsworth was .
given an imposing funeral in New .
York city, and a regiment was made +
up in his honor composed Of one man ,
from each town in the Empire State.
At the time Of his death Colonel Els
worth was twenty-four years old. He
had aspred to West Point but poverty
prevented Managing to procure an
education, however, he studied law;
but, military ardor getting the best Of (
him, he organized company Of 7
zouaves in Chicago and trained them
to such efficiency that they gained /
prizes throughout the land. Ellsworth
was an ardent supporter Of Lincoln
and accompanied him east. At this
time he planned a reorganization Of
Fe1Izy " z IN