COL. ELLSWORTH. Life is not lost, from which is bought Spenser. Although not in command of one of her regiments, at the time he fell-almost the first victim of the rebellion-Illinois claims the young hero, Ellsworth, as one of her most distinguished officers. It was on her soil he manifested his love for the profession of arms, and in her principal city that he first made his name familiar as a household word, by organizing and drilling to such marvellous perfection, the famous United States Zouave Cadets, who became known far and wide by their peculiar dress, and the novelty and celerity of their movements. EPHRAIM ELMER ELLSWORTH was born at Malta, Saratoga County, New York, on the 11th of April, 1837. His early years were shadowed by the total wreck of his father's fortune, in the financial troubles which, about the period of his birth, swept over the land. His father never recovered; disaster followed disaster, and after learning the English rudiments at the village school, Elmer went out, unaided, into the wide world, to seek his fortunes. After various employments in Troy and New York, and ineffectual attempts to enter West Point, he determined to go to Illinois. Before he was twenty-one years of age, he was successfully engaged in business as a patent agent in Chicago. Energetic and attentive to his affairs, he was building up his fortune; but like many a true man, beheld the fruit of his toil swept away by the villainy of one whom he had trusted. Having perfectly mastered Hardee's System of Tactics, become a perfect adept in gymnastics, and made himself an unequalled swordsman and marksman, he gathered around him a number of young men, who entered with spirit into his system, and on the 4th day of May, 1857, organized the United States Zouave Cadets, of Chicago, the first Zouave company ever seen in this country. Total abstinence from intoxicating liquors and tobacco was a strict law, the violation of which blotted the name of the offender from the roll. This corps he trained, as opportunity offered, for about a year, and at the same time gave attention to similar organizations in Lockport and Springfield. At the United States Agricultural Fair, Ellsworth's Chicago Zouaves won the colors to be awarded to the company exhibiting greatest efficiency in drill. The novelty and picturesqueness of the dress, combined with the exactness and celerity of their evolutions, soon made the Zouaves and their young leader known far and wide; and in July, 1860, they made a tour to the East, inviting any military companies to compete with them for the colors won at the Fair. Their exhibitions were visited by immense assemblies of people. In the city of New York, the Academy of Music was filled to overflowing, to witness their marvellous movements, at one moment. In the last Presidential canvass, Ellsworth was a warm supporter of Lincoln, and aided the cause by his eloquent and stirring appeals in various parts of the State. During the session of the Legislature, he actively exerted himself to obtain the passage of a military bill which would put Illinois in a state of preparation; but in this he was defeated through the obtuseness of the "grave and reverend seigniors," who were blind to the coming storm, so clearly seen by him. At the request of the President elect, Ellsworth accompanied him to Washington, and received a Lieutenant's commission, as a preliminary to his entrance into the War Department. Ten com When Sumter fell, Ellsworth felt that his time had come. He threw up his commission, and hastened to New York. A short interview with the Chief of the Fire Department settled all to his satisfaction. An appeal was made to the firemen, and in two days twelve hundred had enrolled their names. panies were accepted, and at once proceeded For weeks the to Fort Hamilton, to drill. young soldier labored day and night at the herculean task of bringing his new regiment into discipline, but it was labor that he loved, and the jaded look which his countenance wore amid the chicanery and corruption of Washington, disappeared. New York became enthusiastic over Ellsworth's Fire Zouaves, over whom he had acquired perfect control. Three stands of colors were presented to them before their departure. On the 2d of ment, entered Washington, amid an ovation equalling that which had attended his departure from New York. On the 22d, orders were issued for the regiment to prepare to march to Alexandria. The day following, the young soldier wrote two letters-one to her who was to be his wife, the other to his parents, in these touching and prophetic words: HEAD QUARTERS FIRST ZOUAVES, MY DEAR FATHER and MOTHER: The Regiment is ordered to move across the river to-night. We have no means of knowing what reception we are to meet with. I am inclined to the opinion that our entrance into Alexandria will be hotly contested, as I am just informed a large force was to have arrived there to-day. Should this May, Col. Ellsworth, at the head of his regi- the fourth and fifth ribs, driving into his very heart a gold circlet, with the legend, "Non nobis sed pro patria." Almost at the same instant, a ball from Brownell's rifle ended the murderer's career. The party made a litter of their muskets, and carried Ellsworth to the steamer, which immediately returned to the navy yard, Washington. From there, by order of the President, his remains were removed to the East Room of the White House. There the funeral ceremonies took place, on the 25th of May, and amid the tolling of bells, his remains, followed by the President and his Cabinet, and thousands of soldiers and spectators, were borne to the depot. The progress of his lifeless remains attested the young martyr's popularity, and the hopes the country had built upon his ability and energy. At New York, he lay in state, in the Governor's room, and an immense funeral procession threaded its way to the steamer that bore him to the home of his grief-stricken parents, where, amid the fury of a fierce rain storm, the hero was laid in the silent tomb. Thus passed away "poor Ellsworth! a fellow of genius and initiative," to quote the words of one who himself fell soon after, in the same glorious cause— e-the gallant Winthrop. Oh cursed spite of war, to silence such a genius-such a true man! happen, my dear parents, it may be my lot to be injured in some manner. Whatever may happen, cherish the consolation that I was engaged in the perform ance of a sacred duty; and to-night, thinking over the probabilities of the morrow and the occurrences of the past, I am perfectly willing to accept whatever my portion may be, confident that He who noteth even the fate of a sparrow, will have some purpose even in the fate of one like me. My darling and ever loved parents, good-bye. God bless, protect and comfort you. ELMER. Before the early dawn, on the 24th, Ellsworth's regiment reached Alexandria. The "Pawnee," lying in the stream, had already proposed terms of submission to the town, which the rebels had accepted, agreeing to evacuate the place. Learning this, and satisfied that no resistance would be offered, Col. Ellsworth gave the necessary instructions to his officers to interrupt railway communication, and proceeded in person, at the head of a small detachment, to seize the telegraph office. On the way, he caught sight of a secession flag floating from the Marshall House, an inferior inn. Acting on the impulse of the moment, he entered with his party, and meeting a man, asked who placed the flag there. The person, who proved to be the proprietor, James T. Jackson, professed to know nothing about it, saying he was only a lodger. Ellsworth immediately cut down the flag, and was descending the stairs with it, when Jackson sprang forward and fired. Private T. Brownell, now Lieut. Brownell, U. S. A., who was in front of the Colonel, endeavored to strike up the weapon, but the rebel's grasp was too firm; a slug entered Ellsworth's side, between Col. Ellsworth's personal appearance is thus accurately described by one who knew him well and intimately: "His person was strikingly prepossessing. His form, though slight, was very compact and commanding; the head statuesquely poised, and covered with a luxuriance of curling black hair; a hazel eye, bright though serene—the eye of a gentleman as well as a soldier; a nose such as you see on Roman medals; a light mustache just shading the lips, that were continually curling into the sunniest smiles. His voice, deep and musical, instantly attracted attention; and his address, though not without soldierly brusqueness, was sincere and courteous." One who visited the parents and the grave of the young martyr, a few weeks after his death, writes: "Awayfaring man for the night at the rural and quiet little village of Mechanicsville, the first object that attracted my attention early in the morning, was the hoisting of the 'Stars and Stripes' on the brow of an opposite and neighboring hill. There rests the youthful divin promises and the sudden call of the and brave Ellsworth. At the foot of the hill- I youthful warrior to the Spirit Land! So it seemed to our minds. Both parents were present during our visit, and dwelt with weeping fondness upon the excellences of their departed son. Among his exalted virtues was pre-eminent the affection and devotion to his parents. To this they fondly referred more than to anything else. He was an illustrious example of this noble Christian trait, and one alas! alas! wanting in some children of our day. From the dwelling, we visited the new-made grave of Ellsworth, in the beautiful rural cemetery of Mechanicsville, and near by, directly in the rear of his parents' garden. No spot could be better selected for the purpose. It lies on the top of a hill, affording a magnificent prospect of hills and valleys, winding streams, distant villages, forests and cultivated fields. Singular coincidence! Stillwater with Bemis Heights,' toward the north, are in plain sight. What associations! A lofty pole and magnificent National flag already marks the grave of Col. Ellsworth. When it was elevated, at sunrise, a day or two ago, a single visitor, who was a stranger from North Carolina, made his appearance, and requested that he might hoist the 'Stars and Stripes' on this honored mount: his patriotic wish was granted, when he continued his journey toward his native State." A noble regiment, to which each county gave its quota, every village and hamlet of his native State furnishing a man, and known as the "Ellsworth Avengers," was raised as his fittest, though not his only monument. COL. CUMMING. Col. GILBERT W. CUMMING, of the 51st Ill. Volunteers, was born in Delaware county, in the State of New York, and is now forty-five years of age. His parents came from the Highlands of Scotland, where his father's family suffered severely for their loyal adherence to the house of Stuart, in 1745. At an early age he was anxious to enter the legal profession, but owing to family loss of property, was apprenticed to a carriage maker in his native town, and devoted all the spare hours of his apprenticeship to study. At the age of sixteen he enlisted in an independent military company, and gave such evidence of a military taste and capacity, that he was soon appointed to office in his company, and by strict attention to his military duties and great perseverance in the acquirement of military knowledge, he rose to the command of a regiment, and afterwards received considerable military instruction from Major Le Brun, one of Napoleon's old officers. He was always a great student, and a good education acquired by his own personal efforts, has made him a thoroughly self-made man. The progress made in study while an apprentice, so far stimulated his early ideas of the legal profession, that, soon after becoming of age, he commenced the study of the law, and after being licensed to practice soon became one of the leading lawyers of his county. In 1845 the Anti-Rent troubles in the State of New York assumed the form of an armed resistance to the laws, and Sheriff Steele was basely.murdered by an armed and disguised band of Anti-Renters, in Delaware county, while in the discharge of his official duties, which occasioned a rising of the Anti-Renters in Schohaire county, where Col. Cumming was then residing. He was thereupon or dered out at the head of a regiment to maintain the peace of the infected district, and by his skillful management of the forces under his command, and his judicious treatment of the Anti-Renters, soon restored the supremacy of the laws, and quelled that singular but dangerous rebellion in his county. In 1853, he removed with his family to Janesville, Wis., where for several years he had a large practice, and stood high in his profession. In 1858, he removed to Chicago, where his family still reside. Here he continued the practice of his profession until September, 1861, when he devoted his time, with success, to raising a regiment for the war, and was appointed Colonel of the regiment, the 51st Illinois Volunteers, by Gov. Yates, on the 20th of September, 1861. In addition to this regiment, and to be attached to the same, Col. Cumming raised a battery of artillery and a company of cavalry. He was stationed at Camp Douglas until February, 1862, when he was ordered with his regiment to Cairo. Finding the extremely muddy and wet condition of his camp at Cairo was largely increasing his sick list, he obtained from Gen. Cullum-Gen. Halleck's chief of staff, then at Cairo-permission to remove his command to the Kentucky shore, opposite Cairo, which he named Camp Cullum. About this time, a scheming set of politicians in the Illinois Constitutional Convention, then in session at Springfield, inserted a provision in the new Constitution to turn Gov. Yates out of office before the expiration of his term, and in furtherance of this object sought to arouse old political prejudices against the Governor by addressing a resolution of the Convention to the Illinois officers in the field, inquiring whether their men were as well equipped as the soldiers from other States, and if not, whether the deficiency was owing to the fault of any of the Illinois State officers? and thus induce replies from which they might manufacture excuses for their intended slaughter of the Governor. One of the Convention circulars, containing this resolution, was sent to Col. Cumming, at Camp Cullum, who, indignant at such a base attempt to injure the highest officer in the State, whose patriotic labors were worthy of exalted praise, wrote to the Convention committee the following reply, which speaks for itself: Camp Cullum, Ky., Cairo Dist., March 3, '62. Callum, Ky., Cairo March 3, 04.) JAMES W. SINGLETON, ESQ.: Dear Sir:-I am in receipt of your circular, containing a copy of the resolution of the Illinois Constitutional Convention, requesting information concerning the equipments furnished the Illinois troops, etc., and am greatly surprised to find the Convention arrogating to itself powers which do not belong to it Your Convention is only authorized to make a new State, that the constitutional wire-pullers were Constitution for the State, and according to all well obliged to abandon their persecution of the settled rules of law, can have no power or authority whatever beyond that specific object. Why, then, Governor, and cover their retreat by passing the inquiry contained in the resolution? To what resolutions highly complimentary to him and part of a new Constitution does it point? and how or his war measures. in what manner can any provision of the ConstituOn the 4th of March, Col. Cumming was tion which the Convention is to make change or affect the equipments of the Illinois troops now in the field? ordered with his regiment to Bertrand, in The subject matter of the inquiry embraced in the Missouri, where he was placed in command resolution, clearly shows that the Convention is inter- of several regiments, and soon after was meddling with matters that are really none of its business, and that, too, with the evident inten- ordered with his brigade to New Madrid, tion of creating prejudice against the present State officers, and making political capital for members of the Convention. Such a course is unworthy of the high trust reposed in that important body, and the responsible duties it owes to the people, and ought impartially to perform. Illinois cannot be benefited by assumptions of power on the part of her constitutional delegates which can only stand as a record of shame and reproach in the history of the State. Such, I am constrained to say, are the peculiar characteristics of the communication addressed by you to me. The resolution is aimed at the present State officers. If the Convention will take the trouble to ascertain the facts, they will find that the State had neither money nor credit when this war commenced, where he joined the army of the Mississippi, under Maj. General Pope, and was there assigned to the command of the 2d brigade in the division of Gen. Paine. On the 13th of March he was at the battle of New Madrid, at the head of his brigade, where he received the thanks of his superior officers for his coolness and the good conduct of himself, his officers and men, in that engagement. On the 7th of April, he was with his command at the taking of Island No. 10, and led his brigade in hot pursuit of the enemy from that place to Tiptonville, where, as part of Gen. Paine's division, he participated in the capture of over six thousand of the rebels, including two general officers, several Colonels and regimental officers, with all their arms, equipments and stores. Gen. Pope here placed Col. Cumming in charge of these prisoners, arms and stores, with directions to ship them, with suitable guards, to New Madrid. Having successfully accomplished this laborious task, he returned to New Madrid, where he received from Gen. Halleck the flattering order to have inscribed upon the colors of the regiments in his brigade, "New Madrid and Island No. 10." He next proceeded with his command to Fort Pillow, and was there engaged in the investment of that place, when he was ordered up the Tennessee to join Gen. Halleck before Corinth. From the battle of New Madrid to the evacuation of Corinth, Col. Cumming's brigade was always in the advance, and in every fight and skirmish. Col. Cumming is very popular with his officers and men, always having an eye to their care and comfort. He is a strict disciplinarian, is amply possessed of the qualities which make him a valuable officer, and has always received the approbation of his superiors. |