Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-06-28
but not in the fight, as the enemy
opened with his full artillery force,
now vrpafly afren0thened nv his can.

but not in the fight, as the enemy
opened with his full artillery force
now greatly strengthened by his cap.
lures. The different divisions were
adjusted to the new attitude of the
enemy, and then followed q second
charge more determined and over
whelming than the first, breaking the
rebel line at all points and forcing the
flying fragments back upon the turn
pike, q frantic hopeless mob. Into
this bowling nass-blocking the mar
row roadway with wagons, caissons,
and disOrdered trOops-the artillery
now poured terrific fire, creating q
wild panic that speedily spread
throughout the entire army. Guns,
teams, everything was abandoned by
the Aying enemy, and Sheridan's vic
torious bsttaliOns, gaining moment
um each moment, picked up prison
ers by the hundred and cannon by
the score. The rebel army was COM
pletely pnlverized, and only darkness
saved it from total capture or annihi-
lation. Practically, there was moth
ing left for Sheridan to fight and,
excepting two or three cavalry skir-
mishes, the war in the valley was
ended.
Col. Hayes was now promoted to
brigadier general "fnr gallant and
meritOriOus services In the battles of
Winchester, Fishers Hill, and Cedar
Creek" to take rank from Oct. 10,
1864, and was breveted major general
"for gallant and distinguished ser
vices during the campaigns of 1864
in West Virginia, and particularly in
the battles Of Fishers Hill and Cedar
Creek" Prior to these promotions
he had commanded . brigade a. col
onel for over two years, and he was
then commanding q division. In the
course of his arduous services four
horses had been shot under him, and
he had been wounded four times.
His advancement was never sought,
and did not come until long after ii
was fully earned.
OF his military character, one who
served with him In nearly all his
campaigns has written as follows :
GAS an officer he was noted not on
~ for strict loyalty to his superiors,
but for gallantry in battle and alac-
rity in the discharge Of every duty,
however perilous or arduous. The
first suggestion of his nomination for
governor was strongly disfavored by
the general, who put quietus upon
the movement in that direction as
soon as he heard of it. He generously
preferred to remain in the military
service as long as the rebellion lasted,
and no political promotion was any
temptation for him to leave it while
the triumph Of the national arms
was incomplete. During the war he
was nominated for Congress by the
Republicans of the Second district,
and directly afterwards received a
letter importuning him to return
home and make the canvass. Gen.
Hayes replied to this letter as fol-
lows;
In CAMP, Oct. 2-Yours of the 29th
ult., is received; Thanks. have 9TH
er business just now. Any man who
would leave the army at this time to
electioneer for Congress ought to be
scalped. Truly yours, r. B. HAYES.
Notwithstanding this refusal to
leave the field to cooperate with his
friends in securing his political pre-
ferment, he was handsomely elected,
defeating Joseph c. Butler the DEM
ocratic candidate, by a majority of
lass. In 1868 he was reelected, his
competitor being Theodore Cook and
his majority over that gentleman was
1855. In Congress his Industry, sound
Judgment and fidelity to the interests
of his constituents were conspicuous,
and gave him position Of great
prominence and influence with his
fellow-members. Though not appar-
emily ambitious Of Oratorical display.
and seldom occupying the time Of
the House even with a short speech,
his nnobtrusive and thoroughly eff
cient discharge of his duty won for
him not only respect but reputa ton
and he was regarded both in Wash
ington and In Ohio as one of the
ablest and best members on the floor.
He took a deep interest in all the
great and agitating questions then
before Congress, including those re-
lating to the reorganization of the
lately revOlted states, and acted uni
forlnly in accord with the Republican
line of policy in reference to the
measures.