Description
Carte view of General John J. Elwell. After the outbreak of the Civil War, Elwell was appointed as a Quartermaster in the US Volunteer service with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and later, became the love interest of Clara Barton. He was responsible for equipping the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry of Cleveland, the 3d Ohio Volunteer Cavalry of Huron County, and the Sherman Brigade. Elwell was volunteer aide-de-camp to Gen. Henry W. Benham at the Battle of Secessionville, South Carolina, on June 16, 1862; and at the assault of Ft. Wagner on July 18, 1863, where he rallied troops in battle. Elwell then served as Chief Quartermaster of the Department of the South until February 1, 1864. Because of yellow fever, Elwell was removed to Elmira, New York, where he purchased horses for the cavalry and supplied Elmira Prison and the rendezvous at Elmira for drafted men. Elwell was breveted 4 times for gallantry in battle and received the Gillmore Medal for meritorious conduct. He was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on March 13, 1865 for “faithful and meritorious services in the Quartermaster’s Department during the war. While serving as Quartermaster of the Department of the South, Elwell had broken his leg in an accident. It was during this time that he met Clara Barton who cared for Elwell during his recovery. Barton would nurse Elwell back to health once again following his bought with yellow fever. The two subsequently began a romantic relationship. Despite Elwell having a wife and children back in Cleveland, Baton’s and Elwell’s friendship grew into a discrete love affair. A realist, Clara knew that their relationship could not last and did not wish to break up Elwell’s marriage, so neither pursued the relationship once their work was terminated. The two would continue to exchange letters years after the war. This example is back marked by well known Beaufort, South Carolina photographer, Same Cooley.
