Joel H. Elliott (October 27, 1840 – November 27, 1868) was a Union

major Major (commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicators ...

during and after the Civil War. Joining as a private in August 1861, with Company C,

2nd Indiana Cavalry Regiment The 2nd Indiana Cavalry Regiment, later designated the 41st Indiana Infantry Regiment, was the first complete cavalry regiment raised in the U.S. state of Indiana to fight in the American Civil War. Service * Organized at Indianapolis, Indian ...

. He saw action at the

Battle of Shiloh The Battle of Shiloh (also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing) was fought on April 6–7, 1862, in the American Civil War. The fighting took place in southwestern Tennessee, which was part of the war's Western Theater. The battlefield i ...

, Battle of Perryville, Battle of Stones River, and was wounded twice. Joel Elliott was killed during the Battle of Washita River, just west of present-day Cheyenne, Oklahoma, on November 27, 1868.

Early life

Joel Haworth Elliott was born October 27, 1840, to devout Quakers Mark and Mary Elliott on the family farm outside Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana, approximately seventy miles east of Indianapolis, Indiana Elliott began studies at Earlham College at age 19 and taught school in the

Richmond Richmond most often refers to: * Richmond, Virginia, the capital of Virginia, United States * Richmond, London, a part of London * Richmond, North Yorkshire, a town in England * Richmond, British Columbia, a city in Canada * Richmond, California, ...

area. Being Quakers the family members were

pacifists Pacifism is the opposition or resistance to war, militarism (including conscription and mandatory military service) or violence. Pacifists generally reject theories of Just War. The word ''pacifism'' was coined by the French peace campa ...

with strong antislavery views.

Civil War

The Civil War began when Fort Sumter was attacked in April 1861. By August Joel Elliott enlisted as a private in Company C, 2nd Indiana Cavalry. In June 1863 he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the newly formed 7th Indiana Volunteer Cavalry Regiment and served as a recruiting officer. He quickly rose to first lieutenant and in October was commissioned captain of Company M on October 21, 1863. Elliott was mustered out of service in 1866. Indiana war governor Oliver P. Morton assisted in an appointment to major in the

7th U.S. Cavalry The 7th Cavalry Regiment is a United States Army cavalry regiment formed in 1866. Its official nickname is "Garryowen", after the Irish air " Garryowen" that was adopted as its march tune. The regiment participated in some of the largest ba ...

and George Armstrong Custer recommended his promotion.

Battle of Washita River

On November 27, 1868, as second in command at the Battle of Washita River, Elliott broke off from the main body to chase fleeing Indians. Major Elliott, Sergeant Major Walter Kennedy, and sixteen other soldiers were killed and mutilated.NPS: Walter Kennedy
Retrieved 2017-12-08 Being under threat of losing his tactical advantage and fighting a far larger force of approaching Indians, Custer left the area without knowing the fate of his subordinate and troops.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elliott, Joel 1840 births 1868 deaths People from Centerville, Indiana Earlham College alumni Military personnel from Indiana People of Indiana in the American Civil War People of the Great Sioux War of 1876