Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-04
FORMER MARINE
COMMANDMENT DIES
Mai. Gen. G. r. Elliott Served
With Distinction in Many
Duties Of Corps.

10 the woria war died TO-DAY az noon a
his house 1894 Sixteenth street, her
following a lingering Illness. Gen
Elliott was IN fis s4th year
Entering the Marine Corps IN 1871
az a second lieutenant Gen. Elliott a
the time OF his retirement had per
formed almost every conceivable duty
a an officer Of the corps. both on sea
and on land, and performed them witt
distinction His promotion 70 It's com
mand came on basis Of merit and In
recognition Of his bravery and efficiency
in both the Spa niAh- american War and
the Philippine iTlsurrection. He was the
first commsndaDt OF Marines 70 be re-
tired as a major general, 10 which rank
he was elevated by special act Of Con-
gresg.
aru. Elliott YVES born in Alabama,
November 80, 1916. when still boy he
moved To New Hampshire where he
heard Revolutionary War stories at
first hand from his grandfather. I'm
able 10 participate In the War Of the
Rebellion because OF his youth he
served the Government in a civil ca
pacity and witnessed many Of the ac-
tivities OF that struggle between the
States. In 1868 he received an APP
pointment to the United States Military
Academy. whence lac was honorabiy
discharged before fulfilling the allotted
course; In 1870 he was rendered COM
mission in the Marine Corps. which
was then composed Of but few hum
bred men. but which he lived TO see
become almost an army in itself.
served on Old Frigates.
The list OF his different tours Of duty
nfioat and ashore is lengthy one. He
was one OF the few remaining officers
MlaR lRaA raTunH On Did frA0otna Whfrh
were propelled by sail only. and wit
messed almost the entire transformation
OF our navy from sail to steam. In 1877
he was stationed in and near Wash
iltgton TO guard against disturbances
due 20 railway strikes.
When the H. S. S. Baltimore was
sent to China in 1894 to guard United
States interests during the conflict be-
tween China and Japan. Gen. Elliott,
then captain. was Marine officer of
the fleet and during that tour of duty
he performed what was probably his
outstanding military exploit, forced
night march on Seoul, Chosen, dis
taace of 81 miles, much of IL through
submerged rice fields, in the remark
able time Of / hours.
In 1898 Gen, Elliott was ordered 10
destroy a we'll, some six miles from
Guantanamo. Cuba. water supply for
Spanish forces. In the consequent en-
gagement he so conducted himself that
he was advanced three numbers in
grade. In March of the following year
he was promoted to major and was or
dered TO duty in the Philippines
AS lieutenant colonel he COM
manded Marine battalion in the bat
Tic of Novaleta, p l., the first major
engagement ia which that branch took
part. His troops dislodged a force of
insurgents which very much larger
command of Spaniards had tried In
vain three times to overcome. For this
victory he was officially commended by
the Secretary Of the Navy. Still later
he commanded the Marine Barracks
here and was made a colonel and, a
lew months later, a brigadier general,
IN which capacity he organized a bril-
gade for service on the Isthmus of
Panama. In February. 1906. he was
awarded commemorative medal
through the y. s. Government Board.
Louisiana Exposition. for his part in
preparing the governmental exhibit.
Sen Elliott was appointed commandant
Of the corps May 81. 1908.
Honored by His Boys"
Although he had been more than %
years retired, Gen. Elliott always kept
in close and active touch with the
affairs of the sea-soldiers with whom
he had served so long In later years
he was wont to refer to generals and
colonies who had served under him
as fedgling officers in long ago as his
boys" An evidence of the affection
IN which ne was held by those who had
once served under him occurred on his
seventh-sixth birthday, which happened
that year TO be Thanksgiving day. By
L..
a motor trip and during his absence a
surprise party took possession of his
apartment. Every rank in the corps
was represented, from major general,
in the person of Gen. Neville. down to
private. A Marine Band Orchestra
played and tribute was read from
Gen. Leleuae, one of his successors in
Office.
The death Of Gen. Elliott leaves only
one former commandant of the Marine
Corps alive Maj. Gen John A. Iejeune.
now superintendent of Virginia Military
Institute ut Lexington, Va. Gen. FL
lott took over command of the famed
lighting OUTFIT from Gen. Charles Hey
wood. Upon his retirement seven years
leat2r he became a resident of the Ma
tional Capital and pursued the hobbies
of travel hunting and fishing. of which
all his life he had been an enthusiastic
devotee. Until few years ago he was
an active golfer, but due to the infirm-
tiles of age plus the effects of injuries
received when struck by an autolno-
bile, he was compelled to moderate his
remarkably active life.
Cen. Elliott is survived by his wife
Mrs, Annie NJ Elliott, 2400 Sixteenth
street, who is a daughter of Commodore
Badger, H. S. NJ. and sister Of Rear
Admiral Charles J. Badger Of this city
also by daughter, Mrs Harold Refs
niger, wife Of Col. Reisinger of the pay
masters department of the Marine
Corps
Gained Interest Of General
An interesting story is recalled OF
how Gen, Elliott came to enter the Ma :
rine Corps. While undergoing an oral
examination IN French. one on which
his retention in tie corps OF West Point
cadets depended he was surprised and
somewhat Disconnected to see President
Grant accompanied by number ot
other Civil War heroes suddenly enter
the recitation room to listen. In the
group WGs Gen George II. Thomas,
Tho Lien Of ChicEamauga. -
Cadet Elliott failed: was dropped from
the class rolls and sought a position in
Clvll life. Not long aftsrward came
notification that he was eligible for the
Marine Corps and that he was to report
for examination he passed and was
comm sSioned, but fer some time never
knew from what source OF official in
t1ncnce his chance had come. Later
one Of his ,periorS told him that the
tentetive ap, ointment had been Spon-
SNrad ae ciFl. Thomas.
But / do not know Gen Thomas, "
14ieut. Elliott said in surprise
he seems to know you, though" re-
Piled his informant. He said he had
once been present at an important ex.
animation IN which you appeared and
that he liked the way that young fell
low had failed.
LORD KIlSANT IN PRISON