The Washington times., 1915-01-20
CIVIL WAR HERO, 80,
!. TANGOES WITH BEST
Won Fame In Daring Charge at
Nashville and Was Champion
Wrestler.

MILWAUKEE,. Jan. N.-"Past eighty
years old, sound a. a dollar and q tan
Gcsr with the best Of them. by cracky.'
That's what Capt. Sherman X. Ellis
worth, Company H. Eighth Wisconsin in
the civil war, has to say about himself
And he clinched the argument by dis
playing a program from the dance at
Grand Army Hall. Proud as a college
younsster- who has filled his first pro-
gram at, q formal sorority function
wac Captain Ellsworth. OF his dance
program. Prouder than that he is Ct
he has made IN the past few years.
cap" Ellsworth didn't miss a dance
the other night. While men ten years his
junior sat on the side lines the stall
wsrt. civil war veteran dipped and turn
Ellsworth lived on his fathers farm
until he was of age. At the age Of
eighteen he stood six feet one inch
skyward and weighed 1876 pounds He
AZ neishborhocd parties he was the
munity called him their champion. He
throw "a any Sonsy msn Of MS wrsssnr sss
match: In those days catch.as-catch-c can
wrestling was unknown. Instead the
''squAre' hold ruled. Sometimes It was
called the "coll.r-ard- elbow" style The
their hands on their opponents shoul-
ders and elbows and went to 1t. Foot
work counted greatly. AS soon as a
man was clearly off his feet he was
In that game than in the present one.
',.>.. Famed As Wrestler,
After he had Cleaned up everyone
in the neighborhood Cap" went out af-
ter wrestlers who had gained a State
wide reputation. He turned professional.
and always carried n little roll to bet
on his own chances Of victory. He tray
eled from one end Of the State to anoth-
er, meeting all comers and winning ev-
cry match.
When the war broke out Ellsworth
first two years Of the war he met
every man In his regiment who called
himself a wrestler. and he was never
iowned.
worth was sent North on a rec.uitin;;
expedition. He maintained an office at
GAINESVILLE 70, a short time. One day
no was sitting in his office waiting fer
volunteers. when In walked giant
IIe wanted to enlist. While the neces-
sary formaltics were being accom-
plished Mr.. Swede sized up the recruit
inE officer. Then he dropped the re-
mark that he thought he could down
out Of three. for any sum Of money IN
the world. Ellsworth's country needed
soldiers. but the taunt was too strong.
Downs Giant Recruit.
Enlistment papers were hurriedly
swept out of the way and Ellsworth
ierked 500 out Of his pocket. His
brother-in-law, who was near by. bet
$50 more. rough table was drawn
out Of one of the rooms and the men
faced each other and took holds.
That match was one of the most dcs-
perate Ellsworth ever had. He strained
and put all his strength into the holds
he secured on the Swede. but the giant
would manage to break out some way.
All the tricks he knew Ellsworth played
o. his opponent. Finally the match re-
solved down to question Of strength
and wind. He let his opponent be the
aggressor. The Swede fell into the trap.
He thought he saw his man sinking.
He worked his heart out IN an effort to
c!inch the victory. At the end of his
assy aae prey eofs o Nc Tek Sods ama
Ellsworth returned to the war zone
shortly after this. In the next to the
last year OF the war he was before
Nashville with the Union troops. OF
his exploits the papers Of that day
have to say:
Hero in Battle.
The boys in blue were trapped in
front of the breastworks Of the enemy.
Ancharge was ordered, and the North
srk lads struggled TO their feet ami
with fixed bayonets assaulted the
cutter line Of General Hoods strongly
intrenched army. They were beaten
back and forced to lie down while
Southern cannon swept the held and
killed men by the hundreds Again a
charge was ordered, and this time the
feet Of the enemy's parapets. Many Of.
ficers were slain In this charge. Near
I've all those who were brave enough
10 lead their nladdened columns
dropped, pierced by bullets.
Lying twenty feet from the enemy
trench, Lieutenant Ellsworth looked
for a superior officer. He had seen
He looked for several moments. saw
no man who Outrsnked him. and then
slid three or four feet OF the lsround
10 where the regiments standard
bearer lay.
":Raise the colors just little bit.
Ellsworth told him. The color sergeant
obeyed:: - ,.. -. .u,
cleaning, Ellsworth leaped to his feet
and dashed to the parapet That was
ali his men needed. With a thousand
cries they followed him. Over the for
ttflcation they sped, and, after few
minutes Of hand-to-hand conflict with
the Southern defenders they earned a
Victory. The Southern lieutenant in
Lieutenant Ellsworth. Then the rem.
nant Of the Union corps stormed the