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Hershey Music Hall Thursday, April 15, Frank E. Brownell will deliver a highly interesting and instructive lecture on the Life, Character and Patriotic service of Col. E. E. Ellsworth…
Chicago: The Jonathan B. Jeffery Printing House, Evening Journal Building, [ca. 1880]. Broadside, 13.75” x 5”, on yellow paper. CONDITION: Good, two separations at folds repaired on verso with document repair tape, small loss along one fold, but no effect on text, slight loss to margin at upper left. An apparently unrecorded broadside for a lecture delivered by a Union veteran who avenged the killer of the first slain Union serviceman of the Civil War. In May 1861, private Frank E. Brownell of the 11th Fire Zouaves arrived in Alexandria, Virginia. After the commander of the regiment, Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, was killed while trying to take down a rebel flag, Brownell killed the man who killed Ellsworth. Ellsworth was the first Union officer killed in the war and soon became a martyr in the north. Ellsworth had been a friend of Abraham Lincoln—having studied in Lincoln’s law office in Illinois before Lincoln became president. Brownell also became a hero for his actions and was given a commission in the Regular Army. He served as an officer for two years before retiring in 1863, and in 1877, he received the Medal of Honor. Delivered for the benefit of the Chicago Union Veteran Club, this lecture by Capt. Brownell covered “the thrilling circumstances of the death of this darling favorite of the American people.” Emphasizing Ellsworth’s connection to Chicago, the text reads in part: Chicago contributed this brilliant young soldier to the great cause in which he so early gave out his life, and has always jealously revered and felt an ardent pride in his memory. It was while a resident of Chicago that he first drew the attention of the nation upon him by military genius, and while yet barely 22 years of age. And beside from historical interest connected with his brief but brilliant military career, Captain Brownell, known as his avenger, has carefully prepared from the diary and personal papers of Col. Ellsworth a sketch of his true private character, and which stamps the young patriot-martyr as the Chevalier Bayard or Philip Sidney of the republic. No young man can hear the story of Col. Ellsworth’s inner life but will be made stronger and better thereby; and his rise coming as it did through his own unaided and almost (to the last) wholly unappreciated effort forms a striking example of the results of untiring industry and indomitable perseverance. Brownell was to wear the uniform of the “famous New York Fire Zouaves, worn by him at the time of Col. Ellsworth’s Death,” and Hon. Emory A. Storrs was to introduce him. Two testimonials are included: I have never been so revolutionized as to my conception of a man’s character as I have been respecting Col. Ellsworth. Mr. Brownell has original documents; Ellsworth’s Journal, and other data that prove that Ellsworth’s character and life are even starting in their exceptional excellence. Mr. Brownell has a lecture on the topic, and will deliver it for half a dozen good reasons and aims. My Dear Mr. Brownell: I am more than glad that we are to have from you, a lecture on the life of Col. Ellsworth. I am sure that a recital of his hardships, his self-denials, and his many manly and soldierly qualities, will be of great value to our young men. Multiple Chicago addresses are listed for buying tickets (which cost 50 cents), including those of a music company and a library. No copies recorded in OCLC. REFERENCES: Lange, Katie. “Medal of Honor Monday: Army 1st Lt. Francis Brownell” (2023) at U.S. Department of Defense online.
Item #9454
Price: $650.00
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