May 24, 1861: Contraband and the First Union Martyr.

[Condem]

Union General Benjamin "the Beast" Butler, commander of a critical Federal base at Fort Monroe in Virginia begins to hold slaves as "contraband of war", arguing that to return slaves known to have worked for the Confederate war effort only aids the enemy.

Elmer Ellsworth, 24 year-old Colonel of the glamorous First Fire Zouaves from New York City, is shot to death by a hotel keeper for hauling down the Rebel flag in Alexandria, Virginia. Ellsworth's (a very close confidant of Lincoln) funeral services are held in the East Room of the White House.

Two little known events that had a crucial effect on the coming war.