Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-23
Election of Col. John MCElr0y
Regarded as Certain.
ENDORSED BY LOCAL POSTS
Supported Also by Organizations
Throughout the Country.
CIRCULAR IN HIS INTEREST
Potomac Department Commander
Record and Urges His Claims.

The prediction is made in patriotic
this city will be the next comman der-in-
chief OF the Grand Army of the Re
public. He has held the next to the
highest office in that widespread organi-
cation and served one term as COM
mander-in-chief of the Department of
the Potomac
Col. McElroy has received the unani-
nous Endorsement of all the posts and
past department commanders in this
jurisdiction and is being Endorsed by
many posts in all parts of the United
States and individual members.
A circular letter was sent out yester-
day to practically all the Grand Army
posts IN tins country over the signature
of Col. Edwin III. Holbrook commander
OF the Department Of the Potomac. 1t
states that Col McElroy is member OF
Kit Carson Post. No ., of this city. and
that his name will be presented for the
commanderShip-in-c at the national
encampment of the G. \. r to be held
at Atlantic City. n. j.. next September
He is urged being lin every way
fitted for the position and eminentiy de-
serving of the high honor that goes with
the Office"
In the circular letter Col. McElroy IS
described as "a soldier with an excellent
record; citizen of high standing: a
writer OF great ability; discreet. and has
an unusually large acquaintance among
the public men of the country
Location in His Favor.
with his home in the National Capi-
tall it is stated, Ibis finger upon the
pulse OF Congress, and in touch with pub
lie men, We feel that he is one of the
hot -
to fill that high office. and at the same
time render in it great service to all his
comrades throughout the land
Because of these qualities and his con-
slstent, vigorous and able advocacy of
the rights OF veterans, since the war, we
ask your hearty Endorsement of his can
didacy for commandments believing
that his election will result in material
benefit to the Grand Army of the Re-
public and veterans everywhere
. The military record of Col. McElroy
states that ''he enlisted in 1862, at the
age of sixteen, in Company G, McCler-
nand Body Guards. which in 1863 became
Company L, 10Th Illinois Cavalry Jan
uary B. 1864. the Sd Battalion, to which
his company belonged was surrounded
by Gen. William E. Jones' Confederate
brigade at Jonesville, Va, thirty-six miles
from the Union lines, and after a severe
fight lasting all day was forced to sur
render. OF the 325 present over sixty
We're killed or SO Badly wounded as to be
left on the field. OF the 265 taken to
prison the official records show that I57
died at Belle Isle, Andersonville, Millen,
Savannah and Florence-the largest loss
of any organization from Illinois, and
only exceeded anywhere by that of two
or three regiments. which were captured
entire. Out of sixty men in Comrade
McElroy's company forty-eight died
Refused to Accept Favors.
''Comrade McElroy's peculiar penman-
ship and prominence among the prisoners
led the rebel officers to frequently offer
him clerkships and other positions out
side. where his condition would have been
to accept any favors from enemies of the
government or leave his comrades, and
during the whole of that long, inexpressi-
bly, dreary fifteen months, except when
trying to make his escape, remained in
side the stockade with his sick and dy-
Ing comrades, nursing and helping them
in every possible way and sharing their
hardships and privations. Little IlliRoy,'
as Comrade McElroy was known in An
dersonville. was released from prison at
Florence. s. G., after several attempts to
escape. by abandonment of the prisoners
by the ConfederateS early in March, 1861
when Sherman marched through the Car
olinas. He was honorably discharged
June 20, 1865
"Comrade McElroy's untiring efforts in
behalf OF the veterans of the war of the
rebellion and those dependent upon them
are too well known to need repetition.
He is writer of national reputation"
Endorsed by Past Commanders.
The following past commanders of the
Department of the Potomac have given
his candidacy their Endorsement: A H. c.
Richardson, George E. Corson, Harrison
Dingman. Charles Royce. Newton NJ.
Brooks, Jerome f. Burke, Charles p.
Lincoln, NJ. Emmett Urell, A. T. Dins-
more, S. r. F'aunce, Nathan Bickford
Arthur Hendricks, George II. SIaybaugh,
Israel W. Stone, r. T.. Bingham, A p.
Tasker. l. G.. kimball, 3. p Entrikin,
Newton Ferree and John S. Walker.