Commander of the 11th NY Volunteers, he was gunned down by James Jackson, the proprieter of the Marshall House Hotel in Alexandria VA, on May 24, 1861.

Lincoln and Ellsworth...

Ellsworth accompanied the President from Springfield to Washington prior to the inauguration, and was a very close friend of the Lincoln family. Ellsworth caught the measles from Lincoln's sons Willie and Tad, which was a potentially fatal condition for an adult.

When news of Ellsworth's death reached Lincoln, it was said that the President was so grief-stricken that he was unable to conduct business for a time. When he looked upon Ellsworth's body, Lincoln was heard to exclaim "my boy! My boy! Was it necessary this sacrifice should be made?" Mrs. Lincoln was presented with the captured flag of the Marshall House.

Some time later, as the President reviewed troops passing in front of the White House, he turned to find his youngest son Tad with the flag in his hands. Lincoln had aides promptly remove Tad from public view.