Illustration of a fire at Willard's Hotel
The May 25, 1861, edition of Harper’s Weekly featured a dramatic depiction of a fire that began at a clothing store adjacent to the hotel with the caption “Willard’s Hotel, Washington, Saved by the New York Fire Zouaves.” The Zouaves assisted the D.C. fire brigade, forming human pyramids to compensate for a lack of ladders, and were led by Elmer Ellsworth, who would become the first Union casualty of note in the Civil War.
- Date of Work
- May 25, 1861
- Medium
- Credit
- The White House Historical Association
