Lot 172 email save

The Killing of Ellsworth

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Autograph Letter Signed, H.C. Lybrook, 2p. quarto, June 1, 1861, Dowajac, Michigan, with transmittal cover, with excellent content, it reads in part: "…Owing to some mismanagement of our abolition Governor the military company raised here has now disbanded. I think if they are called for now they will not go. You speak about the war between the two sections of our country going on in real earnest - There has been no fighting only the taking of Fort Sumpter….a large body of troops from Washington marched on Alexandria a town on the Potomac not far from Washington and when they arrived there they found no one to fight with, but Col. Ellsworth from N.Y. took a file of men and entered a Hotel and went up through the center of the buildings to the roof and took down a secession flag that was waving over the building and on their return down the proprietor of the building met them on the way and with a gun shot Mr. Ellsworth dead, and then one of Mr. E's men shot Mr. Jackson the proprietor with a Minnie Rifle in the face killing him dead at once and he as Jackson fell pierced him through his body with a bayonet, this was a very barbarous & sad affair and Mr. E's services will be much missed from the army, as he was said to be a very scientific and brave Military Man…" Fine.

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