This is s regiment definitely in need of a regimental. It housed some colorful & interesting characters, outside of Brownell & Ellsworth. Lt. Col Noah “Pony” Farnham, who led the group at Bull Run & Crimean War vet & Surgeon Charles A. DeVilliers, just to name a couple.

Mike

Lt. George Fergus of the iith NY tells a slightly different story of Ellsworth’s demise than does Brownell’s NY Times obit.

The NY Times claim that Ellsworth, Lt. Winser, the regimental chaplain, Brownell & several privates went to the roof, where Ellsworth cur down the flag & then the group descended with Elmer in the lead. The obit also says that Ellsworth took both barrels.

According to Lt. Fergus, Ellsworth posted one of his escorts at the front door of the Marshall House, another on the first floor & a third at the foot of the stairs. Brownell was stationed on the third floor. Ellsworth went to the roof, took down the flag & descended the stairs alone.

From “Reminiscences of Chicago during the Civil War” comes the following based on Lt. Fergus’ account:

“He secured the rebel flag, & in descending the stairs, which occupied 3 sides of a stairway hall, he heard a noise, immediately followed by a shot. Hastening down to ascertain the cause, he came around a turn just in time to receive the second charge of of a double-barreled shotgun in the hands of James W. Jackson, the landlord. It was aimed at Brownell, who had knocked the gun up. The first charged, also meant for Brownell, entered the casing of the door at the foot of the stairs. Brownell then shot Jackson, who was crazed with drink, having been on a spree for several days.”

Lt. Fergus was “present at the time with the regiment outside the hotel.” According to Fergus, the story was repeated many times by Brownell, the only witness to the incident.

Mike