Bio: Philester S. Elliott :Pittsfield, Merrimack Co, New Hampshire

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Submitted by: Rick Giirtman  rickman@worldpath.net
Date: March 15, 2001
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From the Book
'History of Pittsfield, N. H. in the Rebellion'
by H. L. Robinson, published 1893


PHILESTER S. ELLIOTT
has always lived in this town, on the farm, where he was born, May 1, 1839,
a son of Joseph and Betsey (Seavey) Elliott. He received his education in
our public schools and Pittsfield academy, under the celebrated instructor,
Dyer H. Sanborn. He married Lucinda J. Watson of Northwood, and had one
child about two weeks old when he enlisted in Company F, Twelfth regiment.
After going into camp he was rejected by the surgeons. He returned home, and
when the Fifteenth regiment was raised he entered Company G, and was
mustered into service October 11, 1862. I find from his diary that the
regiment left Concord, November 13, arrived in New York the next morning,
and were marched to City Hall park to be put in barracks, but these were so
lousy that the soldiers refused to occupy them, and they were marched to
Union race course on Long Island, where they passed the night on the steps
of the grand stand. The next day the weather was very cold, and they were
supplied with shelter, or "pup," tents. These were about seven feet square
and two and a half high. Into one of these, six men were crowded ; it was
impossible for one to turn over unless they all did.

Here they remained until December 3, the weather in the meantime being
either rainy or very cold, when they marched to Brooklyn, and the next day
went on board the Prometheus, a small river steamer, on which 600 men of
the regiment were crowded. They at once sailed for Fortress Monroe. They
arrived on the 7th and remained until the l0th, when they sailed for Hilton
Head, S. C. Here coal was taken on and the men visited the Third New
Hampshire volunteers, which was stationed here. The next day they sailed for
Ship Island, where they arrived Sunday, December 21, having passed through a
severe storm while off the Florida coast. At 3 p. m. of the same day they
sailed for New Orleans. The sail up the Mississippi river he describes as
splendid indeed. Arrived at New Orleans on the 22d ; remained over night.
The next day sailed for Carrollton, a suburb of New Orleans, where they got
into camp on the Shell road before dark.

Here the regiment remained until January 27, 1863, when they moved to Camp
Parapet. This was a fortification some seven miles long, built by the rebels
to prevent the Union troops from coming down the river if they should pass
Vicksburg.

March 26 he was taken sick, and the next day was sent to the hospital, where
he remained until April 10. During this time he lost twenty-four pounds
weight. Although unable to do duty he remained with his company until the
24th of the month; then he went back to the hospital and remained until the
30th, when he returned to camp and did duty. May 12 he was again taken sick,
and was excused from duty until the 18th. The next day the regiment received
marching orders, and on the 2Oth went on board steamer Crescent for Port
Hudson.

He was taken very sick after the boats started, and was put ashore on the
opposite side of the river from his late camp, where the sick and
convalescent had remained. Some men rowed him across. Before he reached the
hospital he became unconscious. After he got better he was detailed as
nurse, and acted in that capacity until June 30, when he went on board the
Sallie Robinson bound for Port Hudson. The next day, while at Baton Rouge,
he called on Captain L. W. Osgood, who was in the hospital at that place
suffering from his wounds, and who at once ordered Elliott to remain and
care for him.

July 15 they went on board the steamer North America for New Orleans, and
took rooms at Mrs. Lee's, 285 Camp street. They remained here but one night,
when they were sent to Port Hudson, where they arrived July 18. On the 26th,
sailed for home. Coming up the river on the way home he speaks of burying
from one to three of his dead comrades at nearly every stopping place.

While acting as nurse in the hospital, the surgeon was called away and the
steward and head nurse were sick and unable to move. George Clark, a member
of Elliott's company, was brought in suffering from sunstroke. He was
unconscious, and Elliott did not know what to do, but something must be done
at once, so he made a plaster of cantharides and clapped it on the back of
the neck of the sufferer. Four hours later, when the surgeon returned,
Elliott told him what he had done. On examination, the surgeon said he had
done well, but it was no use, for Clark must die. The next morning Clark
was alive and had a bad looking neck. Elliott tended him very carefully, so
that he recovered and lived for more than twenty years.