The following handwritten document was found unsigned and undated.

Elisha Burris

A native of Ohio, born near Xenia, Ohio, Greene County, July 10, 1835, the son of Moses and Hannah Done. He came to Hancock County, Indiana in infancy. He received a moderate education in the school district and chose the blacksmith's trade as a vocation.

He was twice married, first March 20, 1856 in Illinois. He was living near Warrington when the hand of treason touched the powder off in that confederate gun in Charleston and Fort Sumpter fell into traitor's hands.

President Lincoln's first call for 75,000 solders to save the union was answered by Elisha, enlisting July 8, 1861 as a private in Company A, 19th I.V.I. Commanded by Captain I. M. May and Col. Sol Meredith, the regiment was assigned to the 1st Brigade, known afterwards as the famous Iron Brigade, 1st Division.

The command was hurried to Virginia, where the battles of Philippi, Laurel Hill and Rich Mountain had already been fought and in a short time they experienced the realities of war, fighting in the battles of Lewisonville, Cedar Mountain, Gained Mill, Bull Run, South Mountain, Atietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and numerous minor engagements during the war.

At the battle of Gettysburg, the regiment lost (either killed or wounded) fifty-five percent or more engaged in that awful struggle.

Elisha was in the thickest of the rain of shot and shell, and faced the painted steel of the rebel bayonets, while bullets tore through his clothes, his haversack strap was shot off. He shared his labors, privations, hardships and well earned laurels with his comrades in that famous Iron Brigade, receiving his discharge July 23, 1864 at Petersburg, Va.

Returning home to engage in the pursuits and vocation of life, He married Mary Ann Johns of Knightstown, Ind. June 14, 1865. She was born in Hancock Co., Ind. Feb. 1, 1849, the daughter of Matthew and Ellen Margaret Johns.

His brothers Job, James, and Abraham served in Illinois regiments in the Civil War.

Elisha was a member of Evening Star Lodge, 503 I.O.O.F., Wilkinson, Ind. and a comrade of Samuel H. Dunbar Post G.A.R. 92 Greenfield, Ind.

Elisha was the village blacksmith in Shirley, Ind.

Elisha died 1907.

Mary Ann died June 23,1930 in Jerome, Ind.

Both are buried in Simmons Cemetery.

Elisha and Mary Ann Burris were the parents of thirteen children.