The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-09-28
"reminiscences Of Gen. Elliott and
the late War.
BY A SOLDIER OF HIS REGIMENT

BY A SOLDIER OF HIS REGIMENT.
The nomination of Gen. Elliott for con-
gress in this district calls to mind one of the
most vivid recolIections of the war, as Ell
lott was the central figure in it.
In the early days of the war and in the
young DAYS of the regiment, the 33rd was
sent into Missouri and stationed at different
points on the Iron Mountain railroad, with
headquarters at Pilot Knob. Elliott, in
command of his freshly recruited CON-
pany, was placed at Black River bridge,
to protect that structure from seizure or
destruction by the enemy,who were lntest-
ing the country, marauding, levylng trlb-
u.e and threatening our communications,
under the leadership Of the then notorious
JEFF. Thompson. The young captain, I'M
! familiar with his duties, with green COM
pany. dropped down here in the wilderness,
where a butternut lurked in every thicket,
felt his responsibilities and proposed to
meet them. At the top of an abrupt bill
which arose from the river at the point
camp. threw around it rude wall Of the
loose stones Astounding there, and still fur
Their strengthing his position by telling
trees on the hillsides and obstructlng ap.
breaches, soon began to believe in himself
and his men, and his fort From this
stronghold, the young soldier made his re
counosances here he developed his men
IN tactics and manual and athletic exercis
es. in all of which the captain showed him
self to be also the best man. Here toothey
exchanged occasional shots with the omni-
present bushwhackers, and this was the
scene of then first baptism of fre-which
gave to some their long rest, and to many long
| enduring wounds and sores, and TO all their
first sight of blood and taste Of war.
About 3 o'clock of densely dark morn
| ing there burst upon the sleeping camp
the yell of the enemy anu the discharge OF
musketry which made the hills and woods
ring again TuDbing out in the leaden
hail the captain grasped the musket that
fell from the lifeless hand of his sergeant,
rallied his men to the primitive tortifca
tons and returned a spirited fire, guided
only, as to the whereabouts Of the enemy,
by their yells and the flashes Of their ri
fees.
1t seemed, in that bewidering moment,
as though all the demons of darkness
were let loose in the woods, in the air and
everywhere. Elllotts voice was heard and
his presence felt at once. His directions
were cool. inciti ng and incsive and in ii
few moments he had developed the great
est resisting capacity of the little fortress,
and with 50 much alacrity as to foil the
enemy's design in overwhelming him in the
confusion of the attack Now there was
hope Of successful resistance. Loading
and firing was lncessant on both sides, and
the yells OF the assailants, as they pushed
forward, were answered by the assaled as
they holly received them or compelled them
to turn back. To hold them till daylight
was to win, but they refused to be held.
Crowding forward again and again, it re
quired the most constant and active fire to
check them at all, and everyone felt that
the ammunition was short. More and
more cautious and deadly grew the fire of
the garrison, but the more hotly and close
ly were they pressed until with concert
ed effort on every side the enemy over
flowed the barriers and overwhelmed
garrison that had not an unburnt cartridge
left. The unequal fight was over. Eli
Oft loss was two men killed and five
wounded, while the punishment inflicted
on the butternuts was greater than anyone
expected, being, by their own admission,
quite equal in killed and wounded to Eli
OFT s entire command. The redoubtable
j eff, with his five hundl ed followers, swarm
ed into the camp aud took possession with
out ceremony, and gathered around the
captain who stood, with one arm hanging
powerless in its sleeve, u receive them.
jeff proposed to release them upon their
parole not to bear arms against the con
tederacy, but as that was before the day
when exchange was talked of, Elliott per
emptorily refused and insisted upon keep
ing the butternuts company and taking his
chances jeff couldn't and wouldn't have
them in his way, and finally, upon the un
Outstanding that an exchange should be
effected if possible, Elliott proceeded with
his disarmed company to St Louis. and.
singular as it may seem in the light of la
ter events in the wal, they were dlsband
ed, sent to their homes and released from
further obligations of service. But this
didn't suit Capt Elliott. lie was determ-
ined 10 effect at least his own release from
parole, and as soon as his wound began to
heal made such unceasing efforts to this
end at headquarters, that he was finally
permitted the use OF IA gun boat with which
he proceeded bearing flag of truce, to
the confederate headquarters at Columbus,
where he succeeded in negotiating tor his
own exchange and that of his com pauy.
1t is an evidence OF the respect and es-
teen in which he was held by his men, that
they all eagerly reinlsted with him and re-
turned to Missouri, where they afterwards
made it SO warm for Jeff Thompson that
he was compelled to leave the state