Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-12-15
From the Washington STAR Dec. l.
One OF Secretary StantOn's Victims
suicide of capt. EIwOOd.


YESTERDAY morning ut about 3 o'clock, one of
the attendants of the prison in Duff Green's Row
(near the Old CApitOl Prison.) where prisoners
arrested by order of the Secretary of War are
confined. went TO the room where Captain John
ElwOOd, of the regular army, was kept, carrying
the latter food when he found him lying the
floor, dead, having two severe cuts on each side
of bis throat, which were inflicted by an or
binary pocket knife held tightly in one of his
hands; the corpse was cold and stiff when found,
the act having probably taken place some hours
before.
The fact WAS at once reported to the War De-
partment, and Yesterday afternoon Col. DostOr
Provost Marshal, requested that the usual in-
quest be held The Coroner accordingly sum-
mOned a jury, and last evening. after hearing
the evidence OF persons about the prison know
ing anything of the circumstances of the af
fair. verdict was returned saying that he
came to his death from wounds inflicted by his
own hand.
Capt Elwood entered the regular army from
civil life, being appointed from Ohio. Up to six
weeks go, since the beginning OF the war. he had
been dong duty in connection with receiving,
swearing IN, and dispoSing Of the recruits reach
ing here from time to time. including swearing in
entire regiments not sworn in previous TO reach
ing this city
In the discharge of these duties, about six
weeks before his death, he was arrested By an
partment, charged, it is said, (thOugh no charge
againss him has, so far. been made public, that
we have heard Of with DeculatiOn in collision
with the claim agency firm of Bell & Closer
one an old Paymaster's clerk, and the other an
old QuartermaSter's clerk-to defraud the Gov
eminent in making payments TO them Oh Gov
eminent accounts.
From the moment of his arrest, according to
what S said to-day around US he was. by order.
placed in solitary confinement, and was not per-
mitted to see any one up to the time of his sui
eide, except the servant or attendant carrying
him his meals. We do not, however, know
whether this is true not
The late Captain ElwOod was man Of great
industry, Of apparently modest and retiring man
ners ANA habits. though by no means person of
sharp and quick intellect. Those who knew him
well will be 10th Indeed to entertain the belief
that ne has been unfathful to any trust imposed
on him, though they will not wonder if it shall
turn out that he has been defrauded in making
payments on Government account
He was certainly person of seeming delicacy
of sentiment, such might induce him, without
counsel. or the opportunity to make any effort to
rescue his reputation from the disgrace of the
situation in which he found himself, To resort, as
he did, To suicide.
Only three weeks ago we learned of his arrest.
and then, for the first time, the fact was made
pub &c, il We remember correctly, through the
Star.
PS-We see il stated by the correspondent
of Philadelphia paper that the de -eased con-
fesSed his guilt during his confinement His
friends, however, who vet believe firmly in his
Innocence, utterly discredit the story.