Elliott, Jonas Denton

Jonas D Elliott

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

102nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry

Place of Birth:

Wayne County, Ohio

Date of Birth:

July 2, 1850

Place of Death:

Athens, Alabama

Date of Death:

October 13, 1864

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

Jonas Denton Elliott was born on July 2, 1840 in Wayne County, Ohio. According to an 1860 U.S. Census, he lived in Milton, Ohio with his mother and siblings on a farm. He enlisted on July 23, 1862 and served in the 102nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On August 13, 1862, he married Emily Crane. He was promoted to Captain of Company H, then to Major on March 6, 1863, then to Lieutenant Colonel on April 23, 1864.

On September 24, 1864, part of Elliott’s regiment, along with the 18th Michigan, was sent as reinforcement to Athens, Alabama to help fight Confederate General Forrest. Four miles from Athens, they were able to hold off 1,100 men and made their way to the fort. During these confrontations, one-third of the 18th Michigan's forces were wounded or killed before they surrendered to the Confederates. Elliott was among those wounded after being shot in the head by Confederate musket fire.

A letter to Headquarters in Decatur, Alabama said, “the highest tribute is paid to him and his men by the enemy, Col. Warren having stated that he never saw such fighting, and that he could not stand before them with his brigade.” Elliott died on October 13, 1864 from his wounds and was buried in the field in Athens, Alabama.

He was later reinterred at the Stones River National Cemetery in plot H-3081.