May 24, 1861---The Death of Colonel Elmer Ellsworth

MAY 24, 1861:   

 Alexandria, Virginia is occupied by the Union, which will hold it throughout the war. Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth, Commander of the New York Fire Zouaves and former law clerk to President Lincoln, volunteers to capture the conspicuous Confederate flag overflying the city. The flag can be seen from the windows of President Lincoln’s office.  

As Ellsworth takes the flag down from the roof of the Marshall House Inn, the innkeeper, James W. Jackson fires a shotgun pointblank at Ellsworth, who dies later, in Washington, D.C. For his pains, Jackson is killed by Ellsworth’s men. 

Ellsworth lies in State in the East Room of the White House, and his death becomes a rallying point, especially for New Yorkers and Illinoisians.