New York city fire fighters join Civil War effort

[David Lockmiller]

I just saw 60 Minutes on the NYPD firefighters' sacrifices September 11, 2001. The 60 Minutes story made reference to a regiment that volunteered early in the Civil War and later became the foundation of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY).

The 11th New York Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment of the Union Army in the early years of the American Civil War. The regiment was organized in New York City in May 1861 as a Zouave regiment, known for its unusual dress and drill style, by Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth, a personal friend of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. Drawn from the ranks of the city's many volunteer fire companies, the unit was known alternately as the Ellsworth Zouaves, First Fire Zouaves, First Regiment New York Zouaves, and U.S. National Guards.

The unit was among the first to occupy the territory of a Confederate state when it captured Alexandria, Virginia, on May 24, 1861, less than 24 hours after the Commonwealth seceded from the Union. The regiment suffered extensive casualties during the First Battle of Bull Run during the fighting on Henry House Hill and while serving as the rear guard for the retreating Union Army.

[AussieMick]

I think I m correct here. ... Lincoln was devastated when told that Coll Ellsworth was killed.. And I think Willie was also distraught because Ellsworth had made a point of being a special friend to the boy.
I think Roger wrote of this .... odd that he's not online.