Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-11-16
In Mem Orianl.

Died in Prospect Bluff, Arkansas, August %,
1871, Major Elisha s. Kelley, youngest son Of the
late Daniel Kelley, of Rutland, aged A years.
When death enters the family circle, and re-
moves the staff and support, in the prime of life
aud full vigor of manhood, with all the plans and
objects of life unfinished and incomplete. as he
stands in the front of the 'sbatle of life !"
how sadly true it is that he is the liking of ter
rors" beneath whose chariot wheels a. must fall.
"There is no discharge in this war; Our only
hope in this wor of death, is through Bin who
is the ssResurrection and the Life,' Him that has
gained the "victory" over death.
There is brighter and better world beyond
the grave, where sundered ties will be forever
united, where those who have ''gone before, will
meet those that follow after. Thus there is,
through faith, a bright side even to death.
The subject Of this notice, Elisha s. Kelley, was
born in Rutland, Vermont, in 1927. He was the
Youngest son of Daniel and Mary Kelley. The
years of his minority were spent at the paternal
home. When he was about q or % years of age,
he entered the Military School at Norwich Vt,
under the tuition of Capt. Alden Partridge,
where he acquired the rudiments of his military
education
The first time the writer became personally
acquainted with him was in 1851, at Ludlow, VT.
part of the time were room-mates. We we're
ever after bosom friends. I found so many traits
in his character to admire, that it impossible
to be otherwise than strongly attached to him.
He was kind and gentle as a woman, yet brave
as a lion. he was the very soul of honor in all
his engagements. AS scholar he ranked among
the highest in the institution. Rev. C. B. Smith
was at that time the honored pre"eptor.
In1S55, he was married to Miss Lovisa G.
Dodge, daughter of William Dodge of Cuttings
Vile VT. who was ever a true, devoted, christian
wife. In the spring of 1876, they rem owed from
Rutland to Milton, ILLINOIS, where he was en-
gagged in teaching and in agricultural pursuits,
until the great uprising in 1861 when after the
fall of Fort Sumter, the whole people OF the
North flew to arms, to defend our outraged and
insulted flag, and crush out armed rebellion.
Illinois stood shoulder to shoulder with Vermont
in the confi3t. Young Kelley, with all the i'm
pulsiveness and ardor of his nature, sprang to
the rescue and gave himsef-his alias an Of
ferDg upon the altar of his beloved country. His
labors unceasing in giving shape to the gath
ering hosts of volunteers, that were focking to-
gether.
He received his commission as Cap ain, Of Com
pany ''E, - in the Sth Illinois Cavalry from Gov
ernor Yates, of Illinois, in ths fil of 1851. The
regiment was mustered in at ST Charles, ILL., 1t
was then transferred to Washington, and camped
at Meridian Hill. TIE regiment was first placed
under the command of Gen. Sumner, afterward
under Gen. Hooker, and lastly under Gen. Pleas
anton.
/. Capt Kelley was wounded at Boonsboro, the
day before the great battle of An"ietam. His
battalion, Co. "E" ard Co "K,'l under his
comm and, went out to hold the rebels in check
aud, while skirnshiog, he received what was
supposed at the time, TO be a mortal wound. A
rebel bullet struck him, and passed entirely
through his body traversing his right lung. The
hemorhage vas extremely violent from his lung.
He was taken from thu tlsld to private res
dence, where he remained about two weeks
when it was thought Hdvisable to send him North
to his friends at Rutland. After a few months,
he so far recovered as TO be able to re TO the
front At this time, in consequence of the kill
ing and djsa blirg of some Of the rtg'mental Of
fcers, he received his commission NJ jOr from
Gov Yates. But his health never was such that
be could go into active service, so, after f~w
months, he returned TO his home IN the summer
of 1868
He experienced religion in the winter Of 1856,
and joined the BAPTIST church in Wheaton. IL,
and proved a most est'm bic aud efficient mem
Der. In the fall of 1870 he becam. interested in
and come ted with the Baptist Colony from
Chicago which, after much time spent IN 20 k
ing, was finally located a. Prospect Bluff Arkan-
~as This originally consisted OF about one hun
dre1 families from several different States. H.
had been ore of the lead pg spirits in this and
went down las. February, to look after the inter-
ests Of the Colony, leaving his family at the North
Exposure and severe hard labor tor several
month";, brought on, IN the latter part OF jun,
an attack of bilious fever, and complicated with
this, were two other Diseases It soon became
apparent that he could not recover. HIS wife r.
joined him as possible, and nursed him
tonderly. He great suf rer through his
last riclzuess; hut he uttered no Rroau, made ne
Complaint, bat bore al patiently, with the most
heroic fortitude P-rectly res gn-d to the will OF
his Heavenly Father, and supported by the hand
of his beloved SaWrr he Welded up his spirit.
and breathed his life out sweet 'hrre.
Thus another god man and a true CHRISTIAN.
has passed away from earth to his rest HIS
wa'chword through all his busy life, was Truth
aud Honor, and how faithfully he Kept this be-
fore him, 81 nee over his whole life will 'tstI'y
He ever ani'es ed the de- pest love and venera-
ton for his christian mother. He always was
singularly strong and Instant, in his attach
ments. As a friend, he was tr1e and fl hful
How crushingly does the less Of such one, fall
upon the lonely aud desolate wife, upon bereaved
brothers ard sisters, ard upon the mourning
# ends of other days.
The only refuge" where such grievous afaa-
tons are laid upon u.s. is to fee 10 the cleft side
of the Rock of Ages, to One that Is mighty to
help. It will give US great consolati on to bear
in mind that there is heavenly side to all our
SORROWS and Affections, va, because 1hey work
for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight
OF glory" 0, Mourner, look to Christ for
strength. He has said L will never never, leave
thee nor forsake thee" a most precious prom
Use. J,A.P.
Wallingfor3, Nov. 10, 1871.