The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1911-06-06
were even being cheered.


summer Of 1861 and guerrilla warfare
throughout the contest. During this
very week, on May %, mob at St
Joseph tore down the stars and stripes.
While there was little Of the spec
tacular 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
the struggle?
Some Of the more radical anti-slav-
cry men at the north were disposed to
criticise Mr.. Lincoln for not taking a
holder 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 a difficult situa-
ton in a most prudent and states
manlike manner.
On May % the people Of Virginia
voted on the ordinance Of secession.
While the poll was not heavy, 1t 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-
IRENE 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 in blue on
the Virginia side of the river, chiefly
at Alexandria and Arlington. General
Sanford was first in command, issu-
! ing proclamation to the people of
Virginia, but on May 81 he was sup
| planted by 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
Potomac until supplanted by Mcclellan.
One tragic incident attended this
transfer Colonel e. Elmer Ellsworth
with his 1900 firemen zouaves was or
dered to occupy Alexandria. Seeing
Confederate flag flying over the
Marshall House, Ellsworth entered
the hotel and asked bystander whose
flag 1t 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
q 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 wave of grief and
indignation over the north. Ellsworth
became the hero of the hour. | sup
) pose more babies were named for him
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
i York city, and a regiment was made
| I'D in his honor, composed of one man
from each town in the Empire state.
III the LIrne VI Ills ueatn ;cofonel Ellis
worth was twenty four years old. III
bad aspired to West Point, but povert,
J prevented Managing to procure al
: education, however, he studied law
{ but, military ardor getting the best o
D him, he organized company o
: zouaves In Chicago and trained then
{ to such efficiency that they gaines
' prizes throughout the land. Ellsworth
: was an ardent supporter of Lincol
q and accompanied him east. At thi
l time he planned reorganization Q
i. the militia. When the first call 70
/. troops came Ellsworth fastened t
|. New York and organized his famou
I zouaves from the New York f1remen.
g In the excited state Of the norther
| mind the romantic character of Ell
r worth, his youth, his gallant deed an
I the manner of his death caught til
:. popular imagination. Perhaps we al
) all sentimentalists at bottom, and th
Z tragedy, like the firing on the flag
, Sumter and the massacre Of Mass
"a chusetts troops In Baltimore on the a
n nfversary of the battle Of Lexingto
g appealed to this latent sentiment
: Grant Applies For Commission.
le On the same day. that .Ellswor