Object Details
- Description (Brief)
- This "Hunter" 12 gauge double-barrel shotgun was used by James W. Jackson to kill Colonel Elmer Ellsworth on May 24, 1861.
- Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, commander of the 11th New York Infantry, was killed on May 24, 1861. Ellsworth led a company of his men into Alexandria, VA where they saw a large Confederate flag flying over the roof of the Marshall House hotel on King Street. They went to the rooftop and lowered the flag. As they were descending they were surprised by the innkeeper, James W. Jackson. Jackson leveled this shotgun at Ellsworth and killed him instantly with a shot to the chest. Jackson was shot and bayoneted to death by Private Francis E. Brownell. Ellsworth was the first notable casualty of the Civil War and became a martyr of the Union cause.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- associated person
- Ellsworth, Elmer E.
- Brownell
- Measurements
- overall: 8 in x 45 in x 2 1/2 in; 20.32 cm x 114.3 cm x 6.35 cm
- overall: 44 1/2 in x 2 1/4 in; 113.03 cm x 5.715 cm
- Object Name
- shotgun
- shotgun, percussion
- Other Terms
- shotgun; Firearms; Percussion Fire; 12 Ga; Smooth Bore; Muzzle Load; Sa
