The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-10-14
CAPTAIN LEROY .. ELpERr.

merce, or the destruction of property tha
the Christian patriot or the humanitaria,
philosopher views tie most baleful On.
lamentable effects Of the present war. Il
him it exists inthe frightful loss Of life
in youth stricken down at the commence
ment ofexistence in strong men disa
bled in vigorous maturity. He sees il
in the new-made graves, in the mourning
hearts, in the desolate homes that are
found all over the land.
Every good citizen is an element oi
strength to society and the State. In
the wisdom, virtue, courage, patriotu 10
and intelligence Of its citizens, more tn an
money, the wealth of o State consists
and in the death of an individual In
whom those attributes and those virtues
are combined, it suffers its greatest loss.
How many such deaths have there be- En-
since the outbreak of this rebellion TO
such an one; to such a gifted, accom-
plished, noble and brave young man, 10
l now inscribe these lines a.. memoriia i,
Captain lie Roy S. Ebert who died bf
typhoid fever on the steamboat CITY Of
Alton, below St. Louis. Sept. 18th, 1868,
at the early age of twenty five, was the
son of DR.. Elbert, Of Van Buren county
Iowa. The Captain was born in Logan
county, Ohio. but his parents removing
to this State while he was very young.
he became, thus. one Of Iova's own sons,
a fine representation of the noble class pf
young men whose valor, intelligence add
patriotism have shed such rich lustre
upon the name of our State.
He entered the military academy st
West Point, June, 1857, at the age of
eighteen. and graduated with honor, July
lst 1861, esteemed by his teachers and
classmates for his scholarly attainme ents
and the admirable traits of his character.
He was commissioned Cd Lieutenant in
the regular servi &C, and assigned to duty
in what has since been known as the ar
my of the Potomac. then under Genersl
Mcdowell. Within 6 few days after
joining the army. the first battle of Bull
Run was fought. For his gallant bear
ing and the soldiery qualities manifested
by him during that fight, be was rro.
NOTED to lst Lieutsnsncy and placed
upon Gen. Pleasanton's staff. During
the Peninsular campaign of McClellan
he served with fidelity, bravery and dis
tinction as aid to Gen. Emery. He was
subsequently transferred to the staff of
Gen. Stoneman when the latter was made
Chief Of Cavalry in the army of the Po-
tomac, with whom he coatinued until
the close Of the famous raid made by
stoneman during the great struggle Of
Hooker at Fredericksburg. during all of
which Hme Capt. Ebert displayed the
same judgment, discretion and courage
which he had exhibited from the com,
meucement Of his military career, and
which had secured for him the conf 6dence
and regard Of his superior officers and Of
the War Department of Washington.
Upon the removal Of Gen. S.oneman
Ebert was promoted to Captaincy and
ordered to the command of company G..
81 regiment Q. s. cavalry, stationed at
Memphis, Tsnnessee. Il was while in
camp there. or near there, that, on the
lst Of September, be was taken i'll. Upon
the 9th he started for the house Of bis
parents in Iowa, and upon the morning
of the 18th all that was mortal of the
Captain became clay, for his spirit re-
turned to the God who gave it.
We shall attempt no lengthy analysis
of Capt. Elbert's character, nor shall We
become his eulogist. To DO i. atsipgly
and we'll would require ADLER pen than
ours. But he needs it not at the hands
of any.
We will, for the benefit of the living,
not Of the dead, mention some of his
most noticeable characteristics.
And first, he was patriot. devoted to
his Government and his country with
more than 6lisl affection. He watched
with concern and indignation the smoul-
dering fires Of rebellion bursting forth in
the South, and when treason eliminated
in the attack upon Sumter, he raised bis
voice for war, declaring it to be the plain
duty of the Government to use every man
at the nations command to redress the
wrong done our flag. vindicate the gu.
premacy of the Government, sustain the
majesty of the law, punish treason, and
save the union from disruption and the
country from ruin. Anxious to ente,
tho EAld and lend hia aid - ~. o.