The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-10-17
"reminiscences Of Gen. Elliott and the
late War---No. 8.
BY A SOLDIER OF HIS REGIMENT.

Gen. Elliott possesses many traits G
character which command the admiration
and confidence of those who know him
and fit him for positions of public trust
but among them none are more conspicu
GUS than his resolute determination, an,
his direct, fearless and untiring pursuit O
his object. To this, add unusual cIearnes
of vision as to the right, and an homes
love of it, and the combination is charac
ter active, strong and wise,
Having been made prisoner Of war al
most at the outset of his military life, ane
been sent home on his parole, grievously
hurt with gun shot wound, he had al
easy opportunity to rest on his laurels, ant
to lounge about at his ease. on pay, await
| ing the intervention of some one else t
| restore him to duty. At that time no car
tel for the exchange of prisoners had beer
arranged, and the details of military bust
ness were so little understood that it seem
ed to his friends rather quixotic under
taking, when the impulsive and impatient
soldier hurried back to the front, his wound
unhealed, determined that his case should
have hearing at headquarters, and the
odious restraint to his service be removed.
Gen. Haleck was then in the zenith of his
power at St. Louis, and routine and red
tape were the order of the day. Through
these, Elliott patiently and pcrsistenly
pushed his way, and confronted the Gen
eral at last with his case, and his petition
to be sent in person into the Confederate
lines, under a flag of truce, for the purpose OF
effecting his exchange and that Of his men.
Upon consideration, deeming the route
overland unsafe and inexpedient, Gen.
Halleck consented to give him letters to
Gen. Grant, then at Cairo, requesting that
transportation be furnished Elliott down
the river to the Confederate headquarters,
then at Columbus. This important point
gained, he hurried on to Cairo. only to find
Grants entire command embarked on
transports and on the eve of departure for
Forts Henry and Donaldson. OF course
transportation of every kind was in great
demand, and hardly to be spared for any
purpose in such crises. But Elliott had
anticipated the objections of the General by
previously looking up an old ferry boat, IN
serviceable for troops, and asking only for
the most meagre crew, was permitted to I'M
dertake his journey in it, and allowed a
pilot, negro fireman and one deck hand
to man it. Few survivors of that first
important and successful movement
against Dixie, which eliminated at Shiloh,
have forgotten the inclemency of the sea-
son in which it was inaugurated. The riv
er was swollen to flood and filled with
floating ice which made navigation perilous
in the extreme. Into this stormy stream,
in spite of warnings, Elliott launched his
craft, the white flag flying at the jack
staff, his crew shaking their heads in doubt,
himself bound to go through. The trip
was full of peril, but to him was the least
of the difficulties which had beset him in
the pursuit of his object and been success
lively overcome. How he encountered
Confederate truce boat coming up and tried
to intercept the party to pre- gent their OBJ
of Grants movements at Cairo;
how he and his men had to scufile with the
crazy craft to bring her around 10 the ice
and keep her off the batteries how he
was compelled to keep her in mid stream
off Columbus, working his engines and dis
gusted fireman constantly for twelve hours
against the current; how his vessel became
disabled, returning at night, and floating
down stream id momentary peril of being
blown out Of water by the enemys guns;
how in short perseverance and pluck
brought Elliott through, were the oft told
tales in barrack and biyouack wherever he
was known. His mission was successfully
accomplished, and he and his company
were promptly in the field and at work
again.
Elliott is evidently an earnest, hopeful,
honest worker, who will honor the Office to
which he is nominated, and while serving
his constituents with fidelity, will pursue
all wrong as relentless as fate.