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Ellsworth, Ephraim Elmer, 1837-

Military officer; born in Mechanicsville, N. Y., April 23, 1837; was first engaged in mercantile business in Troy, N. Y., and as a patent solicitor in Chicago he acquired a good income. While studying law he joined a Zouave corps at Chicago, and in July, 1860, visited some of the Eastern cities of the Union with them and attracted great attention. On his return he organized a Zouave regiment in Chicago; and in April, 1861, he organized another from the New York Fire Department. These were among the earlier troops that hastened to Washington. Leading his Zouaves to Alexandria, Ellsworth was shot dead by the proprietor of the Marshall House, while he was descending the stairs with a Confederate flag which he

Ephraim Elmer Ellsworth.

had pulled down, May 24, 1861. His body was taken to Washington, and lay in state in the East Room of the White House. It was then taken to New York, where it lay in state in the City Hall, and, after being carried in procession through the streets of the city, it was conveyed to his birthplace for burial. He was young and handsome, and his death, being the first of note that had occurred in the opening war, produced a profound sensation throughout the country.

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