Elmer Ellsworth-- Part 10: Death

Was removing the Confederate flag an opportunity to take a trophy back to the White House as a present for his friend Abraham Lincoln?  Was it a burst of patriotism?  In either case, Elmer Ellsworth ended up dead.  Within seconds, the shooter, James Jackson, was also dead.

The Union had its first officer killed and Ellsworth became an instant hero.

Francis Brownell who accompanied Ellsworth up to the roof then immediately killed Jackson.  He later got the Medal of Honor for his action that day.

The flag Ellsworth had cut down ended up cut into many pieces as souvenirs.

--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