The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-11-04
o81ruA,sY.
Capt. Eliot $. Quay.

that responded IN Ravenna, were two young
men, upon whom the promise of long life.
usefulness and honorable position, seemed Sc
eurely set. Both now sleep the last, long, 81
lent sleep of earth, together with many brave
comrades, who. upon bright April day. in
1861, departed from home and kindred, as sol
diers, in the army of the Union.
One fell early, stricken by swift ard fatal
malady; the other, after longer service. and
sprotracted prostration has followed the dear
friend and companion, who went before
Nearly side by side, in the already well filed
cemetry. have We with grief swollen hearts,
deposited the earthly tenements of Lieut.
Robinson, and Lieut.. Quay. Almost insep-
cradle in life, death did not long part them.
5. Capt. Elliot Swift Quay, died Oct 20, aged
% years He was the youngest son of Rev.
A. B. Quay, and was bornin Allegheny, Penn
sylvania. At the breaking out of the rebel
lion he was residing with his brother-in-law,
]. G. Prentiss, in Ravenna. The first call of
the President found him ready and an eager
volunteer. His name was one of the first
subscribed for a Company of soldiers, the ia
nous Company g., of the glorious Seventh
Ohio. Upon the organization of this Compa-
fuy he was chosen Second Lieutenant. In
this position he remained until after the death
of Lieut.. w. Fl. Robinson, upon the 9Th of
October, 1861, when he was commissioned as
LIST Lieut. of Co. G.. In the succeeding jan
uary, he was detailed from his Company to
the Staff of Gen. Tyler, and upon the 21st of
May, 1862, was appointed A. A. General, with
the rank of Captain, and assigned to the Staff
of Brig. Gen. E. B. Tyler. This position he
retained until the 10th of Oct, 1862, when
he resigned and came home. He was then
out of health, but hoped to be restored. Up
on the 18th of February, 1868, he was at
tackled with lung fever, and from this sick
bed he never arose, but continued daily vast
ing away until vitality was exhausted; his
sickness having rapidly eliminated in con-
sumption.
The military career of Capt. Quay devel-
oped in him ability and genius. He was a
universal fayorite with his. men, beloved for
his kindness, and honoredfor his bravery
He shrank from no duty and avoided no hard
ships. Was quick to plan and vigorous to
execute, and for his years and military expe-
rience, took high rank among the officers of
the army with which he was connected. His
bravery was conspicuous at Cross Lanes, at
Cotton Hill, at Blues Gap, at Winchester, at
Port Republic, at Antietam, and at Sharps-
burg. -
At Winchester he was wounded in the
head, and narrowly escaped death.
| Before leaving the army he was prostrated
! with ill-health, and came home to recruit, but
| the exigencies of the service called him back
before favorable reaction commenced. At
last, and reluctantly, be knew that if he
would live, he must vacate his arduous post !;
but the decision was made too late the hand
of the destroyer was upon him, and he was
| to follow other brave ones who have fallen
| for their country. 1t is probable that the in
cipient foundation of his disease was laid in
the Western Virginia campaign, where the
7th Ohio, suffered privations and hardshipa
which have been unequalled by any of the
war.
A mutual friend, has furnished us a state
ment of the spirit of the later hours in the
life of Captain Quay, which we gladly ap-
pend to the foregoing, thus concluding oul
farewell to noble patriot, brave soldier, gen.
erous companion and true friend.
Those were familiarly admitted, as frequent
visitors to the sick chamber of Elliot Quay
IL. IL,
them any regret. Resisting the natura
Temptation to exaggerate, and using only
words of truth and soberness, there remains
much that might be written, far more thar
my allotted space will allow 1t was nc
sad scene, for though manly form was vast
ing away, young soul was being born into
life eternal. Even though it was the elev
enth hour we have good reason to think the
Prodigal did return, and before now is once
4 more at home in his Fathers house. AnG
yet his prevailing feeling was quiet sadnes.
that he had so long delayed the great bust
ness of life, united with an active anxiety fo
his unpeniteut young friends. Nothing bu
the grace of God'' he was frequently heard tc
say can arouse them" He requested me
several times, to speak to them in his name
and warn them of their danger
Abiding to his narrow escape in battle ht
said, !" now see why my life was spared, i
was that Imight prepare to meet my God
and then, would again revert to his thought
less companions, fearing they might not hav,
so long space for repentance. When hi
!. friends would sympathize with him in sever
; suffering he would always reply with beau
tiful child-lke submission, far more nobl
than any of this worlds triumphs, 81 de
el.serye it all,5 and at another time, "God i
very good, He has not taken away my reason
. and can always pray" He was, indeed, a
e last clothed and in his right mind. He woult
often pray with great earnestness that h
might not be fretful, and wound with quicl
!, and impatient words, the loving hearts tina
were ministering about his bedside. On
could not but learn to love him, and he is t
r me new brother in Heaven. Many happ
o hours were spent in that quiet, darkene
room, talking of Christ and His love, an
cheering each other with words of affectio
2 and hope. To his mother he said you wi
d soon come too, and we shall never part again.
+ The Sabbath before he left us he expressed
. wish to go into Church once more, but ad
ded, "by next Sabbath shall be in bigge
, Church than any on earth.o His warm, tru
heart turned to Christ with its whole strength
and rested in His arms like a tired child, ther
y was no noisy demonstration, but quiet, deer
deep peace-the peace which 81 this werl
s knoweth not Off No, it was not sad scene
= and long will it live, sweet memory, like
[. gentle song, in our heart. He longed to g
and had no desire to come back into this dar
world. AT an early period of his illness b
did wish to get well, and God answered b
q prayer, but !" in far better way, and in a fl
n better world" for he is now quite well, hs