contributed by Judy Simpson

Death in Battle of Reverend Overton Ely

The Clinton Public
DeWitt County, Illinois
Thursday, October 15, 1863

Death of a Baptist Minister and Soldier.

Rev. Overton ELY, the subject of this notice, was born in Overton
county, Tennessee, January 9, 1820. He moved from his native State to Madison county, Illinois, in 1844. He was hopefully converted under the preaching of Elder DODSON in a series of meetings held with the Pleasant Ridge Church in the fall of 1852 and was by him baptized into the fellowship of that church. He soon afterwards began to preach and was licensed by the church, January 1853. In 1855 he moved near Clinton, DeWitt county, and united with the church there and continued his membership in that church until his death. A council was convened in Clinton for his ordination, and he was set apart to the ministry, March 8th, 1860.

In the summer of ’62, with thousands of others, he left all he held sacred on earth and entered the service of his country, in the 41st regiment, Illinois volunteers. He was in eight battles, viz.: Fort Henry, Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Hatchie, Vicksburg, and Jackson. It was on the last dreadful assault on Jackson that he was killed, July 12th. So far as can be ascertained, he was first wounded in the left arm, and seated against a stump holding his wounded arm, a shell truck
him on the head, carrying away the upper part. Nothing has been heard of him since, as few survived to tell the sad story of the dying and dead. He was buried by rebel hands, but we know not where.

As a true Christian, he carried his religion to the camp and the battlefield and unsolicited members of his company have informed the writer of his devoted piety in camp. He organized a mess of praying men, and kept up a prayer meeting as regular as circumstances would permit in his tent. His regiment mourns his loss and feels that a good man has fallen and that there is one less praying spirit among them. He was regarded among his associates as a brave soldier and a devoted Christian. Thus another herald of the cross has fallen. May we be faithful in our duties as he was and be prepared for the Master’s summons. May the widow’s God be the support of his afflicted companion and seven fatherless children.

T. REESE