Two (2) studio CDV portraits of Colonel Elmer Ephraim Ellsworth (1837-1861) and Francis Edwin Brownell (1840-1894) of the 11th New York Infantry "Fire Zouaves." Together, they fought at Alexandria the day after Virginia’s secession, where Ellsworth died and was then avenged by Brownell. Views include: 

1. Vignetted three-quarter length standing view of Colonel Elmer Ephraim Ellsworth. New York: Brady, Anthony, 1861. Brady’s copyright statement to mount recto lower margin. Anthony’s publisher imprint to mount verso alongside period pencil identification. Born in New York, Colonel Elmer Ephraim Ellsworth (1837-1861) became known for his military career posthumously as the first Union officer to be killed during the Civil War. After taking a job in Abraham Lincoln's Springfield law office in 1860, Ellsworth and the president became friends, resulting in a relocation to Washington, D.C. in 1861. Shortly thereafter, Colonel Ellsworth returned to his home of New York City to raise the 11th New York Volunteers Infantry, nicknamed the "Fire Zouaves" after the Algerian troops whom the Colonel modeled his training methods and uniforms after. Colonel Ellsworth returned to Washington with the regiment, where they were deployed to Alexandria, Virginia, to occupy the city shortly after Virginia voters ratified the decision to secede from the Union. 

It was on this mission that Colonel Elmer Ellsworth would meet his demise. After spotting a Confederate flag flying from the roof of an inn, Ellsworth and four other troops entered the building to remove it. Ellsworth removed the flag with no resistance, but upon his descent, he was met by innkeeper James Jackson, who fired at point-blank range at the Colonel, killing him instantly. One of his men, Francis Brownell, fatally shot Jackson in response. 

To honor his friend, Abraham Lincoln had Ellsworth's body taken to the White House, then New York City, where it was visited by thousands of mourners. His death would go on to inspire the rallying of Union support. Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth is buried at Hudson View Cemetery in Mechanicville, New York. 

2. Full standing view of Francis Edwin Brownell. New York: Brady, Anthony, 1862. Brady’s copyright statement to mount recto lower margin. Anthony/Brady publisher’s imprint to mount verso alongside period pencil identification. Born in New York, Francis Edwin Brownell (1840-1894) mustered into Company A  of the 11th New York Infantry in 1861. After killing James Jackson, the murderer of Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth, Brownell was rewarded with a commission in the 11th Infantry of the Regular Army. For the next two years, he served as an officer, finally retiring in 1863 with the rank of first lieutenant. 

In 1877, Francis Edwin Brownell received the Medal of Honor for recognition of his actions in killing James Jackson: "The Congress to Sergt Frank E. Brownell, 11th N.Y. Vol Inf'y for gallantry in shooting the murderer of Col. Ellsworth at Alexandria, VA, May 24, 1861." 

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