OF THE CHICAGO
COMPANY.

From a photograph loaned by Mr. H.H. Miller of Chicago, a member of
the Chicago company, and taken July 2, 1860, by Colonel E.L. Brand of
Chicago, a member of Ellsworth's Chicago company, and afterwards
in command of it. In the State House at Springfield, Illinois, is
a portrait group of the members of the Ellsworth company, with a
reproduction of this portrait of Ellsworth in the centre.]

In these circumstances of hunger and toil, he took charge of the
company of cadets, which was falling to pieces from neglect. There was
no sign in his bearing of the poverty and famine which were consuming
him. He told them roundly that if they elected him their captain they
did so with their eyes open; that he should enforce the strictest
discipline, and make their company second to none in the United
States. His laws were Draconic in their severity. He forbade his
cadets from entering a drinking or gambling saloon or any other
disreputable place under penalty of expulsion, publication of the
offender's name in the city papers, and forfeiture of uniform. He
insisted on prompt obedience and unremitting drill. The company under
his firm and inspiring command rapidly pulled itself together,
and attracted all at once the notice and admiration of Chicago and
northern Illinois. The young captain did not give up his law studies.
He wrote and affixed to his desk a card which contained his own daily
orders: "So aim to spend your time that at night, when looking back at
the disposal of the day, you find no time misspent, no hour, no moment
even, which has not resulted in some benefit, no action which had not
a purpose in it. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays: Rise at 5 o'clock;
5 to 10, study; 10 to 1, copy; 1 to 4, business; 4 to 7, study; 7 to
8, exercise; 8 to 10, study. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: Rise
at 6; 6 to 10, study; 10 to 1, business; 1 to 7, study and copy; 7 to
11, drill."

Working faithfully as he did in the office, his whole heart was in his
drill room. His fame as a fencer went abroad in the town, and he was
challenged to a bout by the principal teacher of the art in Chicago.
Ellsworth records the combat in his diary of May 24th: "This evening
the fencer of whom I have heard so much came up to the armory to fence
with me. He said to his pupils and several others that if I held to
the low guard he would disarm me every time I raised my foil. He is
a great gymnast, and I fully expected to be