Year: 1861

AHe SatlSiactlOn with which the successful
occupation of Alexandria by Federal troops
throughout the loyal States will be hailed,
will be dampened in thousands of hearts by
the intelligence that this movement has cost
the life Of Colonel f. f. Ellsworth formerly
Of this city, and since widely know as the
commander of the New York regiment of
Fire Zouavcs, who met his fate as is detailed
by dispatch from our special Washington
correspondent in another column of this issue.


Although at the time of his death brilliant
~ associated with the military of another
city, our own citizens feel an interest in the
fame and mourn the carly deccaSc Of one who
was for several years resident of Chicago,
and who won for himself national reputa-
ton, in connection with our own soldcry, as
the founder and commander of the Chicago
Zonavcs. @..a .-...... ts.. .....~.


f. E. Ellsworth was native of Mechanics
vile, Saratoga county, New York, where his
parents still reside. lie was at the time of
his death about % years of age He came to
Chicago in 1855, in narrow circE,ns. s.anccS,
and with no capital but an indefatigablc will
to succeed. HIS talents were not those that
win their greatest success in business career,
however, and though he for time was en-
gagged in the sale Of Patent Rights, it was ,ln
fitted to him and was abandoned His genius
was of the military stamp, and strongly
marked. Previous to his residence in Chi
cago, while mere youth, he had been honor
ably associated with an Albany military corps
as its drill officer.


Very early in his residence in this State he
became connected with military matters The
Zouayc Cadets were first organized in the
Spr ng Of 1859, and first began their drill
with fifteen members. With this company
the young officer developed and made practi-
cal a system Of tactics that will ever be asso-
ciatcd with his name. 1t should he considered
at what low ebb long protracted peace
had left our militia system, throughout all
our communities. Tho arts of peace had
fourishcd well nigh to the extinction of the
military spirit Drill rooms were deserted,
the ar.nOres of our citizen soldicry were q
burlcsque on the name.


Could it have been foresccn that so short
lapse Of time would have brought the late call
to arms, no more substantial preparatory ser
vice could have been rendered to the country
than that which now is sadly proven to have
been the life work of Col. Ellsworth The
history Of the Chicago Zouavcs was new
page in military annals. The patience and
zeal with which, through long months of
daily evening drill the young commander
and his men wrought themselves up to per-
fection in their manual, the Spartan rules
they chcerfully incorporated into their regime,
their brilliant parades, all eliminating in the
triumphant ovation which followed them in
their tour through Eastern cities, constituted
a new era, and secured justly shining rep
utation for the founder of the new Zouaye
system.


It is memorable that among the most de-
lighted spectators of their precise and mar
vellous accuracy of drill were veteran army
officers, not ordinarily too ready to accord
praise to citizen soldiers. But the triumph
was universal, and West Point We'd in praises
with the thronged audiences of the New York
Academy of Music war veterans at Wash
ington were equally delighted with the less
professional thousands who showcrcd lauda-
tions. on the Zouavcs


Underlying all this perfection Of drill, was
feature, made its important adjunct, which
was even more praiscworthy Col. Ellsworth
saw and placed his stamp of disapproval upon
the ordinary vices Of the drillroom. Abstc-
mious himself he made it first requisite with
his Zouaves to let strong drink alone Their
uniforms were never seen in saloons, nor



planted to their armory. They were taught
and heroically practiced the first virtue of
conqucring themselves. So while their drill
developed muscularity, the foundation prin-
ciplc of the new system made the mind keep
pace with bodily development by thus leaving
it free and clear to the practice Of the whole
duty of the soldier.


Other military companies had taken long
expeditions, and in the feasting and fcting
and dissipation found their severcst physical
tax. The Chicago Zouavcs upon their tour,
lived abstcmiously, drilled severely with a
brilliant success erywhcre, and found their
most luxuriant couches upon their blankets
in the drill-rooms they made their temporary
barracks in the cities visited We recall
these matters, as honorable and glorious in
the fame Of the young soldier the first victim
to the rancorous hate Of rebel Virginia. We
recall them that our readers may note how
rapidly their results sprang up alsng the line
of the Zouave expedition, and in cities where
only their fame extended.


The six months following their tour saw
hundreds Of military companies founded and
revived throughout the North, modelling
wholly or in part after the system Of the Chi
cagp Zouavss. whose light dashing move
nents on parade, and whose precision in the