Freeman Conner's Swords-- Part 2

Freeman Conner carried his second sword at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville Gettysburg, Spotsylvania and other battles.

He was born in Exeter, New Hampshire.  When his 11th New York did not reorganize in 1862, he went to New York and enlisted as a private in the new 44th New York Infantry and then became captain of Co. D, where he got his first sword.  Later, he was promoted to major and then lieutenant colonel.

Both swords surfaced in August 1995 at a house for sale in Glencoe, Illinois, -- not far from Lake Forest Academy where Conner taught before the Civil War.  The two swords were sold to two different individuals that day.

They were reunited by Chicago collector Richard K. Tibbals in September 2001.

The two swords did not sell at the auction in 2005.

Always interesting on hearing what happened to items after the war.

--Old Secesh

Freeman Conner-- Part 2: Another Ellsworth Man

Continued from December 29, 2017.

From the Antietam site.

Freeman Conner 1836-1906.

Moved to Chicago and was in the grain business.  Was a member of the Ellsworth Zouaves.  When Elmer Ellsworth organized the 11th New York from New York City's firemen, Conner joined as a lieutenant.

When the 11th disbanded in June 1862, its officers went to Albany, New York, and organized the 44th New York Infantry Regiment, known as the "Ellsworth Avengers."  Conner eventually became its colonel.

After the war, Freeman Conner went to Charleston, S.C., for business, then returned to Chicago and got into the grain business again.  He was also involved in politics and the GAR.  He died in 1908 (some confusion about the date of death).

--Old Secesh

Lt. Knox Carries On His Friend's Legacy-- Part 3: "Remember Ellsworth"

Two months later, at the Battle of Bull Run, the 11th New York charged the Confederates with the fierce cry "Remember Ellsworth!"  Two weeks after that, Lt. Knox left the 11th to join the new 44th New York Infantry.

On the battlefield, Knox was very brave, receiving three brevets, including one for gallantry at the Battle of Gettysburg where the 44th played a key role in the defense of Little Round Top.

After the 44th mustered out in 1864, Edward Knox joined the regular Army until wartime wounds caused his retirement in 1870.  He returned to Chicago and joined the Illinois National Guard.  One day in late 1889, while walking door-to-door to raise money for his guard unit, he suffered a stroke and collapsed.

He died at the age of 52 on April 9, 1898, the 25th anniversary of Lee's surrender at Appomattox.  His funeral was held in the drill room of his unit's armory and he is buried at Hillside Cemetery in Eastport, Maine.  He was born in Eastport in 1838.

--Old Secesh

Lt. Knox Carries On His Friend's Legacy-- Part 2: How Knox Met Ellsworth

"I could scarcely credit my own senses.  There lay one whom I had seen only a few minutes before full of life and the vigor of early manhood, cut down without a moment's warning by the hand of an assassin.  His face wore a very natural expression and excepting its pallor, his countenance looked the same as in life."

In the 1850s, both Elmer Ellsworth and Edward Knox had moved to Illinois from different states.   Knox joined the National Guard Cadets militia in Chicago.  In 1859, Ellsworth took over the group and really turned it into one of the crack drill units in the country.  They even went on tour of the United States to show their prowess.

Accompanying Abraham Lincoln to Washington, D.C., Ellsworth went to New York City and raised the 11th New York Infantry.  The captains of the regiment were elected by the men, but Ellsworth appointed the first lieutenants.  Close personal friend Knox was 1st lieutenant of Company A.

--Old Secesh

Major Edward B. Knox, One of Ellworth's Men

Doug Dammann also mentioned the name of Edward Knox as being one of Elmer Ellworth's men from the 11th New York and 44th New York regiments.

From the New York Unit History Project.

At age 23, Edward Knox was first lieutenant in Co. A, 11th New York.

After he left the 11th, enrolled August 8, 1861, at Albany, New York and mustered into Co. I, 44th New York as a first lieutenant, September 23, 1861,  for a three year tour of duty.  he became adjutant of the regiment September 25, 1861.

He was wounded in action on May 27, 1862, at Hanover Court House, Virginia.

Promoted to captain of Co. D on July 4, 1862 and mustered in as a major July 14, 1862.  Wounded in action May 8, 1862 at Laurel Hill, Virginia.

Mustered out with the rest of the regiment on October 11, 1864.

--Old Secesh

Stephen Stryker, 11th and 44th New York Infantry-- Part 1

The speaker, Doug Dammann,  also talked about this man at the November 14, 2017, McHenry County Civil War Round Table meeting on Elmer Ellsworth.

I did some more research on him.

From Unit History Project for 11th New York Infantry Regiment.

He was 24 years old when he enlisted on April 20, 1861, in New York City as a first lieutenant.  On May 7, 1861, he was commissioned into "B" Company , 11th NY Infantry, raised and commanded by Elmer Ellsworth, and resigned July  29, 1861.

Promoted to captain on August 8 and major on August 12.

On October 12, 1861, he was commissioned into the Field & Staff of the New York 44th Infantry. and promoted to colonel the same day to command the regiment.  He was discharged from the 44th on July 4, 1862.

--Old Secesh

44th New York Infantry: "Ellsworth's Avengers"

Formed in mid-1861 and wore Americanized zouave uniforms in honor of Col. Elmer Ellsworth.  Its first commander was Colonel Stephen Stryker, who formed it and was a former lieutenant in Ellsworth's 11th New York.  In his honor, they were known as the "Ellsworth Avengers."

Several other members were formerly in Ellsworth's Chicago Cadet Zouaves, including Col. Freeman Conner, Major Edward B. Knox and Captain Lucas Larrabee, who commanded Company B. and was killed at Gettysburg.

--Old Secesh

Elmer Ellsworth-- Part 12: Edwin Mortimer Coates

I am listing some of the U.S. soldiers that Elmer Ellsworth, though he died very early in the war, had an effect on.

Frank Yates, 11th New York

From the Arlington National Cemetery Site.

Edwin Mortimer Coates-- served in U.S. Army until 1900.  Appointed from Illinois as lieutenant in Ellsworth's 11th New York Infantry.

Resigned 4 August 1861 and became 2nd lt. in 2nd U.S. cavalry and transferred to 12th U.S. Infantry 20 September 1861 and served with them through the Civil War.  Was brevetted to captain for his service at the Battle of the Wilderness and captain on April 11, 1865.

He was involved in the Big Horn Expedition in 1876.

Continued serving in the U.S. Army with the 4th, 19th and 16th.  Became colonel of the 7th U.S. Infantry in 1893.  Retired 19 January 1900 and promoted to brigadier general on the Retired List.

Died September 13, 1913 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery alongside his wife.

--Old Secesh

Elmer Ellsworth-- Part 11: People Associated With Him

George Fergus--  Wrote 40 volumes on the early history of Chicago.

From Scots Great and Small, People and Places Blog.

George Fergus' father was Robert Fergus, born in Glasgow, Scotland, who arrived in Chicago July 1, 1839, and was a pioneer printer and publisher.

His oldest son was George Harris Fergus who became a partner with his father.

When Lincoln called for troops in 1861, he was appointed first lieutenant in Company K of the 11th New York Infantry, under the command of his old friend Col. Elmer Ellsworth.  The 11th was detailed to protect Abraham Lincoln and George was present at the death of Ellsworth May 24, 1861.

--Old Secesh

Elmer Ellsworth-- Part 9: Going to Alexandria

On May 23, 1861, Virginia seceded from the United States.  Alexandria, Virginia, across the river from Washington, D.C., became a serious threat to the nation's capital.  The 11th New York was sent across the Potomac to take control of the city the next day.

They were also to secure the B&O Railroad and cut the telegraph lines going to the south.

On King Street, there was a hotel known as the Marshall House.  The owner, James Jackson, an ardent backer of secession and the new Confederate States of America, had hoisted a large First National Confederate flag atop his building.  It was said that Abraham Lincoln could see this flag from the White House, but that is not likely.

--Old Secesh

Elmer Ellsworth-- Part 8: Raises a New York City Regiment, The Fire Zouaves

Continued from December 1.

Elmer Ellsworth went to New York City and raised what became the 11th New York Infantry.  Most of the men were firemen.  The men elected their captains, but Ellsworth appointed the lieutenants who were mostly men from his famous tour.  A popular name for them was the Fire Zouaves.

A REGIMENT OF MANY NAMES

According to Wikipedia, the 11th also was called many names:

Ellsworth Zouaves
First Fire Zouaves
First Regiment  New York Fire Zouaves
United States National Guard

By May, the regiment was in Washington, D.C., a very tense place with Virginia getting ready to secede as well as Maryland.  The city was surrounded.

--Old Secesh

Elmer Ellsworth and the United States Zouave Cadets-- Part 1

Presentation given to the McHenry County Civil War Round Table November 14, 2017, by Doug Dammann of the Kenosha Civil War Museum (Wisconsin).

Elmer Ellsworth was one of the most influential people of the Civil War, even though he died as young as he did and as early in the war.  It was the influence he had on his officers and what they accomplished later on in the war.  Mr. Dammann then showed a picture of the Green Bay Packer coaching staff  in 1992, featuring head coach Mike Holmgren and his assistants.  A whole lot of them went on to head coaching position and success on other teams.  And, that was what Ellsworth's officers did.

And, of course, there was the whole Zouave military thing and training.

Besides his own regiment that he raised in New York, the 11th, or Fire Zouaves (raised from New York fire stations) his mark was also on the 19th Illinois and 44th New York.

His great grandfather, George Ellsworth, was a private in the Continental Army during the American revolution.  His greatest ambition was to attend West Point but he didn't have the political connections to get nominated and attend.  But, he studied the all things military religiously.

Real Military bearing.  --Old Secesh