The Tupelo journal., 1911-02-03
COL. E. L. RUSSELL OF
MOBILE AND OHIO DEAD
Cold Contracted in New York Develops Pneumonia
End Comes at Washington.

on Saturday evening the infor-
nation came that the life of one
Of Mississippi's truest, bravest
and best citizens was at an end.
The news of Col. Russell's
death was not generally known
here until Sunday morning, and
the day was one OF mourning fol
those who had known him and
had loved him so long.
Edward Lafayette Russell was
born in Franklin county, Ala,
August, 10, 1845. In 1853 his
father moved to Pontotoc county,
Miss, settling near Tupelo. MIR.
Russell's father was a Baptist
minister and a teacher of re-
markable ability. asz3 sasass:slss asAsssss IS .
Edward, with other children,
attended an old field school. a
few years later the elder Russel
moved with his family to We
roma, where he taught school
several years.
At the outbreak Of the wal
Edward enlisted as a private-sol
dier of the Confederate army il
the 41st Regiment, which was
commanded by Col. Tucker
With his regiment he participated
in the battles around Corintl
and was wounded in the battles
of Murfreesboro and Chicka
mauga. He was in the campaign
when the Southern army con
fronted Sherman and was in the
battles Of Chattanooga, Atlants
and at Jonesboro. In the bat
tie of Jonesboro he bore tn
coIors Of his regiment. In speak
ing of this his comrade, who wa
shot down in this battle. Mr.. J
J. Rogers, related this incident
I'VE marched all the night 9
August 30th and arrived
Jonesboro on the afternoon Q
the 31st, about A o'clock. wher'
aardee with the rest Of th'
army was awaiting our arriva
before making the charge. WheI
We formed in line of battle OH
color bearer, who was considere
one of the bravest men in tn
regiment, told the Colonel tina
he was sick and could not go ii
the fight. The Yankees hae
built breastworks of dirt and hat
put up head logs about one foo
through on top of the works
They were about three-fourth
of a mile in front across a levei
field. The Colonel asked who
would volunteer to carry th'
colors. Ed Russell stepped for
ward and told the Colonel h
would carry them. He was tn
only man to volunteer, as every
one expected sudden death if h
should carry the colors. W
charged up within fifty yards 0
the works when nearly all of tht
regiment was either killed,
wounded or captured. Here Et
Russell tore the colors off the
staff and carried them out rather
than surrender them"
He took part in Hoods raid OF
Nashville and was in the bloody
cattle of Franklin where his
command lost heavily. His las'
service was in the Mobile Ba.
campaign at the investment OF
Spanish Fort.
AT the close of the war Colonel
Russell returned to Veron;
penniless. With a spirit of un
daunted courage that had charac
terized him as a soldier. he turn
ed to the civil affairs of life an6
began to carve out for himsel
the proud record which made hi.
life one to which we turn ir
admiration at its close.
For several years he devoted
himself to farming with that
energy which marked every
thing he undertook. Limited ii
means and without 2 farm OF
his own, he sought a position a.
salesman with Norton & Com
oany, afterwards Norton &
Ell;ntt of Ti1nelo. where he SOOr