 During the War of 1812 Elzy was a Captain in command of the 20th Regiment Local Militia in Princess Anne County, and may have served on the staff of Brigadier General Robert Barraud Taylor, who was in charge of military operations in the Hampton Roads area.In connection with his service, family sources have called Burroughs a "hero of the Battle of Craney Island".Following the War of 1812, Elzy was again contracted by the Federal Government, this time to repair significant damage to all four Virginia lighthouses caused by British troops in the War.