Last updated: January 8, 2026
Person
Scott, Elias M
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Significance:
Company F, 88th Indiana Infantry
Place of Death:
Murfreesboro, TN
Date of Death:
1/3/1863
Place of Burial:
Murfreesboro, TN
Cemetery Name:
Stones River National Cemetery
Elias M Scott served as a private in company F of the 88th Indiana infantry, under the command of Brigadier General J. Beatty.
At the battle of Stones River, the 88th Indiana was attached to Division General Rousseau. When fighting commenced on December 31st, 1862, they remained in reserve until they were called to General Sheridan's aid in the Slaughter Pen. At 10am, J. Beatty's brigade rushed to Sheridan's right and received orders from Rosecrans to hold the line until hell froze over. Here, they held this position until Confederate forces pushed them into a vulnerable V-shaped position. J. Beatty reported that hell had in fact frozen over and their only choices were death or retreat. He ordered his men into a retreat back towards Rosecrans's main line. Once they reorganized near the rail road tracks, J. Beatty's brigade crossed the tracks and remaind in this position until nightfall on December 31st, 1862.
On the 1st and 2nd of January, 1863, the 88th Indiana were not involved in much fighting and held the line along the Nashville Pike until the end of the battle.
Elias M Scott received a gunshot wound during the fighting on December 31st. He was sent to a field hospital for treatment, but he died of infection received through the wound on January 3rd, 1863.
He is buried in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot H-3179.