For someone who had never heard of this guy before last month, I sure am becoming knowledgeable. He was quite the hero.
I looked him up in my Civil War books and found two accounts concerning him.
Stephen W. Sears in his "Gettysburg" book, had this to say. (pages 273-274)
Confederates under Hood approached the Union line, "the 124th New York's Colonel Van Horne Ellis and his major, James Cromwell, determined that their best hope lay in a counterattack. Ellis and Cromwell mounted and took their places for the charge. To a staff man who urged them to lead on foot, Colonel Ellis said only, 'The men must see us today.' At the cry of 'Charge!' from Major Cromwell, the New Yorkers rushed from the west face of Houck's Ridge at the double-quick. The first Texas reeled back from some 200 yards under the surprise onslaught."
An officer of the 124th wrote, "Roaring Cannon, crashing rifles, screeching shots, bursting shells, hissing bullets, cheers, shouts, shrieks and groans...." Then, a second line of Confederates approached and "pored into us a terrible fire which seemed for an instant to bring down a quarter of our numbers."
"Major Cromwell tumbled dead off his horse, shot through the chest. Then Colonel Ellis was down, shot through the head." Captain Charles Weygant took charge and only around one hundred men were left to fight.
Now, this is up close and personal action. Being mounted or carrying a flag in battle drew extra attention from the enemy.
A Story of a Brave Regiment and Their Leaders. --Old B-R
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
