Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 1.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Doc. 116.--departure of the N. Y. Firemen Zouaves, April 29th.

The Headquarters, Devlin's new store, Canal street, previous to their departure, presented a scene of extraordinary activity and excitement. The men were in the highest animal spirits, and all seemed happy at the prospect of soon having a set — to with the Secessionists. The men were marched by companies into the basement. Each man was there armed with a Sharpe's rifle. When on board the Baltic they were presented with a bowie-knife about six-teen inches long, (which can be fastened to the rifle, and used as a bayonet,) and a revolver.

At 1 o'clock the men formed into line in Canal street. A stand of colors was there presented to the regiment by Mr. W. H. Wickham, on behalf of the New York Fire Department. Col. Ellsworth was surrounded by his staff; they all remained uncovered while Mr. Wickham made the following speech:

Col. Ellsworth:

The Board of Representatives of the New York Fire Department of this City have caused to be prepared this stand of colors to present to your regiment, composed of the firemen of New York and our associates. As President of the Fire Department, I now perform that duty. Take them, place them in the midst of your gallant band, and wherever the fight is the thickest, and the bullets fly the fastest, let these banners be borne, and may you and your comrades, in the hour of trial and battle, remember the proud motto emblazoned upon them:

The Star-spangled Banner in triumph shall wave.

Let this be your war-cry as you rush to the onset. Let it nerve your arms and fire your ranks. Wave it in triumph only, and do you bring it back, Sir, though it be tattered and torn in the fight.

Old associates, remember, on every battle-field, and in every trial, that the thousands here around you, have placed in your hands a mighty charge. Go forth from this hour, and swear by that flag to live, for that flag to die.

The people have high hopes of you. You have established a character for noble daring, which has received the admiration and tribute of the people.

When the fire-bell rings in the night the citizen rests securely, for he knows that the New York Firemen are omnipotent to arrest the progress of destruction. You are now to exhibit your gallantry, your energies, in another field.

You are called to quench the flames of rebellion, and we know that whether in the midst of burning cities, or in the tented field, you will sustain your own high character, and these banners will ever wave in triumph, even though it be in the midst of ruins.

Our hearts are with you, at all times and in every place. Spring with the same alacrity to the performance of your duty, at the call of the bugle, as though the old familiar note of the fire-trumpet fell upon your ear. Do this, and you will succeed. Let no man's heart fail him; be firm, be united, be true to each other, have confidence in your commanders and yourselves, and when you return, we will rejoice with you over the glories you have won, and weep with you over those that may have fallen.

Col. Ellsworth said in reply, that his acquaintance with the men had been brief, but he thoroughly understood their feelings, and he was sure that, as long as one of them lived, that flag would never be disgraced. He was taking his command away without any drill, and he might almost say unformed; nevertheless, they were determined to do their duty, and he hoped to return with those colors as pure and unstained as they are now.

Col. Ellsworth then took the flags from the hands of Mr. W. H. Wickham, who handed them to the color-sergeant, who in his turn placed them in the charge of the regiment.

Mrs. John Jacob Astor, Jr., then stepped from a carriage and took up a position in front of the regiment. She was accompanied by [166] Gen. Dix, bearing the colors, who, on Mrs. Astor's behalf, said: “Colonel Ellsworth: I have been requested by the donor of the colors about to be presented to you, to read to you her letter of presentation. I have accepted the service with the greatest of pleasure, and I regard it as an honor second only to that of commanding such a regiment as I see before me, and of marshalling it under a flag presented by so graceful and patriotic a donor.” The General then read the following letter from Mrs. Astor:

Col. Ellsworth--Sir: I have the honor of presenting the accompanying colors to the First Regiment New York Zouaves. In delivering the ensign of our nation into the charge of the brave men under your command, I am happy in the confidence that I intrust it to men whose heads are moved by a generous patriotism to defend it, and whose hearts feel now more deeply than they have ever done that the honor of their country's flag is sacred and precious to them as their own.

Accustomed as we are to think of them in the discharge of their ordinary duties with grateful sympathy and a well-founded pride, these feelings grow stronger the solemn moment when they are going from us to engage in a new and still more perilous service. I pray, Sir, that Heaven's gracious protection may be over you, and over these, to preserve and bring you back in safety to those whose hearts will follow you each day with prayer, and with a hopeful expectation of being gladdened through your success.

Believe me yours, with much respect and true regard,

Augusta Astor.

Col. Ellsworth made a suitable reply.

Three cheers were then given for the presentations, three for the Commissioners of the New York Fire Department, and three more for the Chief Engineer.

Gen. Wool, who is staying at the St. Nicholas, reviewed the men as they passed. Each man, as he went by the veteran general, cheered him most lustily. The regiment was escorted to the boat by about 5,000 firemen, many of whom carried banners. Upon the one carried by Company 30 was inscribed,

If our Country calls, the rest are ready.

The regiment, after leaving Canal street, marched up Broadway to Bond street, then down the Bowery to the Astor House, from thence up Broadway, and down Canal, at the foot of which street the steamer Baltic was lying.

presentation of colors at the Astor House.

Calling a halt at the Astor House, Col. Ellsworth's regiment had another stand of colors presented to them from the ladies of the Astor House. Mr. Charles Stetson, Jr., who made the presentation, said on behalf of the ladies:

Col. Ellsworth and officers of the Fire Zouaves :--I am requested by the ladies of this house to present to your command, the Fire Zouaves of New York, this stand of colors. They will be your battle flags; and those whose fair hands have wrought them know, from the past history of the New York Fire Department, in the great cause of liberty and integrity of the Government these emblems will be manfully sustained. On behalf of the ladies I bid you and your command God speed, their eyes will follow you, and their prayers will be rendered up for you.

In reply, Col. Ellsworth said: Mr. Stetson, I beg of you to return our thanks to the ladies of the Astor House, and assure them for us that we would rather die than commit any act that would bring disgrace upon this flag. They would remember the fair donors with a great deal of gratitude, and he hoped that it would not be long before his regiment paraded again before them in front of the Astor House.

The Baltic was lying at the foot of Canal street. The friends and acquaintances of the men who were going off crowded the dock. The regiment marched on board the boat to the tune of “The red, white and blue.” Many of the men joined in the chorus as they marched along the gangway. All seemed elated at the prospect of a speedy departure. At last the order was given for all those who were not going to go on shore. Hurried adieus were made; women were weeping, and strong stern men were embracing one another with an affection absolutely touching. A few revolutions of the paddle-wheels brought the Baltic into the middle of the stream, and amidst the firing of salutes from the various steamers in port, and the cheers of an immense concourse of persons, she steamed quietly away seawards.

When the regiment was in front of the Astor House, an order was handed to Col. Ellsworth from Gen. Sandford, who made an objection to the departure of the regiment on account of their being more than 770 men. It appears that there are about 101 men in every company of this regiment; by law there ought only to be 77, so Gen. Sandford put his veto on the departure of this regiment. Messrs. Kelly. Stetson and Delatour formed themselves into a committee, and waited on Gen. Sandford, to get him to remove his veto. He could do nothing, but referred them to Gen. Wool, who, upon the case being represented to him, immediately took the responsibility on his own shoulders, and allowed the Firemen Zouaves to start for Annapolis.--N. Y. Times, April 30.