Forgotten Martyr

On May 24, 1861, Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth was shot and killed as he removed a Confederate flag flying from the rooftop of a tavern in Alexandria, Va. The death of the popular colonel, who had toured the North with his renowned drill team just a year earlier, made him a martyr across the loyal States. His death overshadowed another beloved soldier who gave his life for the cause: Col. Abram Vosburgh of the 71st New York State Militia. Here's his story.
"Life on the Civil War Research Trail" is hosted by Ronald S. Coddington, Editor and Publisher of Military Images magazine. Learn more about our mission to showcase, interpret and preserve Civil War portrait photography at militaryimagesmagazine.com and shopmilitaryimages.com.
This episode is brought to you in part by North South Skirmish Association (N-SSA), a nonprofit promoting the competitive shooting of Civil War firearms and artillery while encouraging the preservation of battlefields, artifacts, clothing and education of the period. n-ssa.org
Image: Ronald S. Coddington; Library of Congress
This channel is a member of the KZbin Partner Program. Your interest, support, and engagement is key, and I'm grateful for it. Thank you!

[@TermiteUSA]

"On Friday, May 17th..."

[@markmcintosh7095]

Wonderful channel. Thank you

[@debbiegipson4512]

" The point is to lift lives. To win over enemies is ridiculously easy, to win over hearts is the real act of valor." -Naskar

[@ukulelemikeleii]

Speaking of inspirational people, here's one from the South that it would be interesting to do a video about: Sallie Partington. She was an actress, best known for her rendition of "The Southern Soldier Boy." A few years back the New York Times did an article about her as part of their Civil War Series, but there's little else out there...

[@kennethswain6313]

What do think took his life so quickly? Could have it had been tuberculosis? What a shocking loss to all who knew him. Another great story well told and appreciated

[@oldgeezerproductions]

My guess is a pulmonary embolism or perhaps a dissected aortic aneurysm. It is my understanding that both of which can happen rather suddenly in a man this young. I can't think of anything that would bring on such a sudden and pernicious crisis that wouldn't involve a cardio-vascular/pulmonary crisis. Life certainly could be brutal and short with little or no warnings back in those days. My ancestor wasn't expected to live during the CW, and yet he died in his 80's. Go figure.

[@michaeldalton3456]

I get it but Lincoln caused over 600,000 lives lost because of unfinished business by our Founding Fathers.

[@crippledcrow2384]

Another Yankee story. Rename name this page.