Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-07-11
('[VI[,WE WAR
fifty YEARS AGO TO-DAY
May 15 1861-New York's "Fire Zouaves,' Led by the
Dashing Young Col Elmer {. Ellsworth Were the MOST
Popular Regiment Of the Hour in Washington
and most effective regiments in the serv.
CALLEp or /. or HELP.

ice.
CALLED ON : OR HELP
About the time the free and easy
manners of the zouaves were being criti-
cised, the men of the regiment perform
ed service that established them firm
ly in the esteem of Washington, and
won them the gratitude of the entire pop
ulation of the city.
A fire, of incendiary origin, started in
buiiolng on Pennsylvania avenue, near
WIZARDS hotel, on the night of May Q.
1t was sudued by the city fire depart
ment, but toward morning broke out
again and rapidly gained Roadway.
The character of the buildings in the
neighborhood-the heart of Washington
and the proximity of the fire to the
chief hotel of the city, then crowded
with people from all parts of the north
made the fire source Of danger to
both property and life.
The fire department now proved mad
equate, and it devolved on the Erie
Zouaves to subdue the conhagration
The scenes of the night were thus de-
scribed in Washington dispatches:
"At 2 o'clock this morning, Thursday,
May g. most unearthly and long-contin-
ued yells announced to the startled cit
liens that the fire was at it's mischief,
and had attacked the liquor establish
ment next door but one to Willard's
nOIel. 1IQIu6Qldlcly CCu. 0ldISAClQ NCOll-
manding the district), Col. Mcdowell Of
Scott's STAFF and others were in attend
ance, while the guests of tibet hotel. in
varied wardrobes, filled the corridors
and avenues thereof. In a short time
all was extinguished and all was pro-
nouneed safe
"About o'clock another fire announce
ment was made, and this time fierce
flames were seen rushing from the low
er part OF the same building. The bells
rang for aid, and meanwhile the flames
spread with fearful rapidity toward the
hotel. which was filled with denese vol
umes of smoke. After seemingly inter
minable delay. one or two inefficient fire
companies arrived, against whose feeble
efforts the flames made continual prog
ress
"At this juncture Gen. Mansfield be-
thought him of our gallant fire ladies,
and dispatched an aid to Col Ellsworth,
asking for a detachment.
Fire! Firey rang through the quar-
tiers, and in the twinkling Of an eye 10
men from each company were runnin g
swiftly and in order down the avenue,
headed by their colonel. Reaching the
engine house they found 1t barricaded,
and, evidently with intention. SO last
] ened as for a long time to defy their en-
trance; but they broke in the door ana
rushed the engine to the nre
ZoUAvEs FIGHT FIRE.
Here they were joined by several hum
dred of their companions who couid not
brook the idea of confinement or inie
slumber while their enemy was N the
6eld With trumpet in hand they came.
and they accomplished wonders, -olne OIL
which were frightful to behold, such IS
this: Two of them held each leg or
the third, they standing on the :oor en-
yeloped in flames, while he, head DOWN
ward, was suspended over the burning
building until he succeeded In reaching
hose pipe which was extended from
the end of a short ladder.
AFTER two hours hard and perfect
work they subdued the fire, conhning IL
to the original building and the one next
| to II In complete order they were mar
snaled. when Colonel Ellsworth led them
up the hill. where General Mansfield,
bareheaded. addressed them, thanking
them and praising them. repeating sew
eral times, I am proud of you, very
proud of you
After a short congratulatory speech
Colonel Ellsworth, accepting the invita-
ton of Mr.. Willard to breakfast, they
gave three immense cheers, sang Dixie,
and contentedly marched to their quar-
4 ters."
PRESENTED WITH CoLORs.
The crime Of setting the fire, as a
| matter Of course. was charged by the
excited washington folks to 1.-The seces-
| sionists."
1T is needless to expatiate on the ex-
element caused here said the writer.
''or upon the pride felt by the New
Workers in their fellow-citizens. Among
| others Simeon Draper, f. B. Cutting,
4 Abraham Wakeman, Thurlow Weed and
Farmer Abel congratulated the boys,
who were delirious with joy, and stood
metaphorically on their heads with de-
| light.
"A fine stand of colors is to be pre-
scented to the regiment as a testimonial
of the respect and gratitude of the (Wil-
lard) house, for which the WIZARDS sub
scribe $780, Today the zouaves have
been all the rage. Nothing is too good
for them and they are the admiration
of everybody"
In a little less than three weeks the
young colonel of the zouaves was des-
tined to die, in the advance into Vir-
ginia, the first officer to fall in the war.
Copyright. 1911, by Associated Literary
Press)