God!" and, a few seconds afterwards, uttered a low moan, and ceased to breathe. Brownell, with the quickness of lightning, levelled his musket at Jackson, and fired. The ball struck him on the bridge of the nose, and crashed through the skull, killing him instantly. net. As he fell, Brownell thrust him through with his bayoColonel Ellsworth's companions held guard some ten minutes, until reinforced by company A. The company made a litter of muskets, and placing the body upon it returned to the boat, leaving a detachment to guard the hotel, and make prisoners of all its occupants, sixteen men. The body of Ellsworth was conveyed to Washington, where it was laid out in the neat little "Engine" house in the centre of the navy yard, and visited by thousands of tearful spectators until the next day, when it was sent under escort to New York, and from thence to Mechanicsville for interment. All the regiments in New York were represented in the funeral cortege of Colonel Ellsworth, from the City Hall to the steamboat landing, en route for Mechanicsville, President of the Fire Department, Chief Engineer and Commissioner, the parents of the deceased, General John A. Dix, officers of the First Division of volunteers, Zouave committee, Mayor, Common Council, etc., followed. Next to the hearse, marched Francis E. Brownell and two other Zouaves, who were with Colonel Ellsworth at the time he was shot, Brownell, bearing on his bayonet the rebel flag stained with his colonel's blood. The wildest grief seized the Zouaves at the death of their leader, which gave way to the most intense rage, and they swore, with a horrid oath, that his death should be avenged; when the news of Ellsworth's death reached the Zouaves at the hospital, a number of them got out of their sick beds, and though scarcely able to stand, man aged to totter to the place where the corpse was laid in the navy yard, and there vowed eternal fidelity to him and the cause in which they were engaged. A new regiment was speedily raised, composed of the "roughs " of New York, and called the " Ellsworth's Avengers ;" and in a few days were armed and equipped, and left for the seat of war on their mission of revenge. The death of Ellsworth not only cast a gloom over the community, but it gave an impetus to military operations in raising new troops, and fired the patriotism of those who had already gone forth.1 1 Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth was a young man of great promise, generous impulses, active, energetic, and devoted to his country, had already won a national reputation by his genius as a military disciplinarian. The whole country were struck with admiration at his masterly drill of the Chicago Zouaves. He originated many of the most striking evolutions which gave such a reputation to that corps, and which diffused such a salutary impetus to military enthusiasm throughout the free States. When, therefore, Colonel Ellsworth closed his connection with the Chicago Zouaves for a desk in Mr. Lincoln's law office, and the signs of war began to loom up, his influential friends besought his active services. Ere the sound of the "riot in Baltimore," had scarce died away, in the ardor of his patriotism, with a true appreciation of his own peculiar genius, he repaired to New York, and announced his purpose to raise a regiment of Zouaves from the hardy and determined, but by no means docile fire companies of that city. Ellsworth's keen sagacity foresaw that, reckless as they were, if he could gain their confidence, they would prove invaluable in the service of their country. The proposition took; and soon it was a sight to see the slight, delicate-looking youth only twenty-seven years of age, controlling with the eye of command, and compelling into strict subordination those lines of rough, powerful, and reckless men; but they soon learned to know and love their commander, and together they were ready for their country's call. They heard it, and obeyed. Alas for Ellsworth, he was struck down "ere he could see his foe in manly combat." Sad blow,- sad for the country,- terribly sad for the cause which prompted the deed. In the hearts of that "unrestrained" regiment was laid up a fearful store of retribution, to fall At the Marshall House the scene was one of the utmost confusion. Its proprietor lay weltering in his blood. His wife, upon discovering the fatality, approached his body uttering the most agonizing cries, and although treated with the greatest consideration that could be offered to her in her misery, she remained long time in the wildest state of frenzy. It is said that Jackson was a man possessing a most ardent temper, quick to act without reflection, and would do one act as soon as another in a moment of impulse; that only a few weeks previous he protected a Union man against a secession mob, with the same double-barrelled gun with which he shot Colonel Ellsworth; and in this instance, no doubt, acted according to his honest convictions of right, in protecting his house and property. He was laid out in a room in the second story of the hotel, and buried in the secession uniform, the coat-buttons bearing the coat-of-arms of Virginia. The effect of the death of Jackson upon the hearts of the Southern people, was fully equal to that produced upon the North by the assassination of Ellsworth. They honored him with the sacred name of "martyr," and celebrated his heroic deed in song, which served to beguile their long tedious marches toward the Federal lines. May 25. General Butler decided that slaves were property, therefore contraband of war. Three fugitive slaves, the property of Colonel Malloy of the rebel army, like a shower of fire upon the foes of their country, and in their weary marches when they began to falter by the way, their watchword was, “Ellsworth is fallen, we follow for revenge!" While, therefore, we mourn the loss of so young and promising an officer, we cannot but deprecate the "rashness" which prompted the deed by which he lost his life. Light be the turf upon thee, young soldier, and softly rest the hand of affliction upon the head of thy aged and devoted parents! sought protection within the Federal lines. An officer with a flag of truce demanded their rendition, but was informed by General Butler, that under the circumstances, he considered the fugitives contraband of war; but as soon as Colonel Malloy should visit the fortress, and take a solemn oath to obey the laws of the United States, his property would be promptly restored. The First Regiment New Hampshire volunteers left Concord for the war. What has been said of the departure of other regiments, is true of this. The city presented a scene of wild enthusiasm, flags and streamers waved from nearly every building, and the air resounded with the cheers and hurrahs of the thousands who had assembled to witness their departure. As they reached the lower part of the city, the last gun boomed from the Merrimac Valley, and New Hampshire's First Regiment was fairly on its way. Arrived at Manchester, the wildest enthusiasm again greeted them. Hundreds of wives, mothers, and sisters, were assembled to bid. farewell to the brave soldiers who had left the kind endearments of home, to do battle for their country; showing that the "Old Granite State" in point of patriotism, is not a whit behind her sister States, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont. CHAPTER XIII. In thought I view the dread array, MAY 26. Postmaster-General Blair issued an order to the effect that all postal service in the seceded States, would be discontinued from and after the 31st of May. May 27. The blockade of the ports of Savannah and Mobile commenced. Brigadier-General McDowell, United States Army, assumed command of the Federal forces in Virginia, and relieved Major-General Sandford, New York State militia. The department of General McDowell included that portion of Virginia lying east of the Alleghanies, and north of James River, exclusive of Fortress Mon roe. May 28. Brigadier-General E. W. Pierce of the Massachusetts Militia, was appointed to succeed General Butler, promoted. May 30. Ex-Governor N. P. Banks, of Massachusetts, was appointed a major-general, and Robert C. Schenck of Ohio, a brigadier-general. General Butler having asked information from headquarters in reference to the matter of fugitive slaves, there being a great number in the fort, was ordered to retain all such as came within his lines, employ them, and keep an account of their services and expenses. May 31. Colonel John C. Fremont commissioned major-general. |