Iowa: Its History and Its Foremost Citizens
Revised, Home and School Edition by Brigham Johnson.
2 Vols. Des Moines,
IA: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1918.
E
Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Tamara Jorstad.
John Edwards, A
Kentucky Abolitionist – An Iowa General – An Arkansas Congressman
John Edwards, colonel of the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, has already appeared in these
pges as one possessed of a rare virtue even in a pioneer legislature of Iowa. Born in
Kentucky, in 1815, after studying law, he moved over into Indiana to get away from the
odious institution of slavery. Inheriting slaves, he liberated them and gave them means
with which to being life for themselves in Indiana. He served in the Indiana Legislature,
1845-1849; migrated to California and in 1849 was elected alcalde; returning to Indiana he
was soon elected to the State Senate. In 1853 he moved to Chariton, Iowa where he began
the practice of law. He was an influential member of the Constitutional Convention of
1857. He sat in the Seventh General Assembly, riding across-country to Des Moines to
attend. Returned in 1860, he was chosen speaker of the House. In the extra session of
’61 Edwards offered to resign the speakership, in order to allay partisanship, but no
change was made. Early appointed an aide on Governor Kirkwood’s staff, he was sent to
protect the Missouri border from invasion. On July 17, 1862, he was commissioned colonel
of the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry. He served through the war and on the 7th of
November, 1864, was promoted to a brigadier-generalship, his reward for faithful and
efficient, though not remarkably brilliant, military service.
After the war he followed the lure of the South, locating in Fort Smith, Arkansas,
where his services were recognized by President Johnson with an appointment as assessor of
internal revenue. Following the repudiation of the President by his party, in 1871 he
became a liberal republican and was duly elected to Congress from the Fort Smith district;
but his seat was successfully contested by a democrat.
Washington L.
Elliott, Hero of Three Wars
Washington L. Elliott had wont two promotions in the Mexican war, and had won honors in
later wars with the Indians on the frontier. He was born in Pennsylvania and was graduated
from West Point in 1844. In September, 1861, he was commissioned colonel of the Second
Iowa Cavalry. On June 11, 1862, he was promoted to brigadier-general and was made chief of
cavalry under Pope in Virginia. Later he held the same position with Thomas. At Nashville
he won a brevet as major-general. After the close of the war, in March, 1866, he returned
to the regular army as lieutenant-colonel of the First Cavalry. In 1878 he as promoted to
colonel of the Third Cavalry. He retired in 1979, and died June 29, 1888.
One of the notable achievements of Colonel Elliott's highly trained regiment was the
famous charge at Farmington in May, 1862, already described.
After the charge, Colonel Elliott, then in command of the Second Brigade, including his
own regiment, reproached General Paine for ordering the Second to ride to the inevitable
disaster. Paine said he didn't think they would go so far. Elliott is reported to have
replied: "That's my regiment and they will charge hell if ordered; but I didn't
expect to have them ordered there."
General Elliott is described by Stuart as a "smallish man with sloping shoulder,
sharp features and gray eyes . . . a man of great energy" and with "the
reputation of being a splendid cavalry officer."
|
