The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1876-07-13


by the contact of such minds as that of
Chase, Matthews, Storer, Perry, Hoadley,
Pugh, Pendleton, Grocsbeck, and many
others, who were then porminent and have
since become distinguished both as LAWYERS
and statesmen. He rapidly acquired
hsrt-rate practice, and his genial, winning
manners made him universal favorite
particularly with the young men, who were
soon bent upon making him their political
leader. 1t is sometimes said Of Governor
Hayes that he lacks in what are called
brilliant qualities, but his reputation at this
time was that Of being one of the most
brilliant young men at the Cincinnati bar
His style Of eloquence was impassioned and
persuasive, and often drew immense crowds
to the courtroom. In fact, his friends
were more afraid of his being considered
too snowy than lacking in the qualities
that dazzle and captivate.
His career in the army began with the
war and ended with it. He enlisted
originally as private soldier, and was ap-
pointed Major of the Twenty y-third Ohio
Infantry by Governor Dennison, who re-
qucsted him to accept that position. Had
he been in search Of military honors he
could just as we'll have been Colonel of his
regiment as Major, but, having had no
military experience, he insisted that some
one who had should be appointed to that
position. Accordingly it was given to Col
onel, afterward Mojor General Rosecrans
West Virginia, the field of operations in
which General Hayes mostly served, was
comparatively an unpropitious one for
military distinction Had he been assigned
to the Army Of the Potomac or to that Of
Sherman he would undoubtedly, had his
life been spared, have risen to the command
of an army corps or department.. In
but the grand operations of the war were
speedily transferred to other quarters. The
operations in West Virginia were mostly
expeditionary, and included but few con-
spicuous battles. General Hayes never
met the enemy anywhere that he did not
distinguish himselffOr his courage, skill and
coolncss, and this was and notably so in the
battle of South Mountain, where, with his
arm broken by bullet, he fought at the
head of his regiment until, overcome by
pain and loss of blood, he was carried from
the field. But it was not until Sheridan 5
campaigns in the valley, during the year
1864, that he had an opportunity to show
how much Of soldier he was His charge
across the slough in the battle of Opequan
was scarcely excelled during the whole war
as feat Of personal gallantry, and the skill
and intrepidity with which he hadIded his
division at Fishers Hill and Cedar Creek
stamped him as man of real military
genius. With regular army men he had
already been so regarded and was consid-
cred by them one of the finest officers in
the volunteer service.
As illustrating his decision of character
and general fitness for great emergencies,
an incident may be narrated Of which no
correct account has hitherto been published.
In June, 1868, an expedition comprising
three brigades Cone of them that Of Col.
HayesD, with cavalry and artillery, was
dispatched to Southwestern Virginia with
the view Of capturing Saltvillc, and break
ing up the Virginia and Tennessee Rail
way. Starting from the Upper Kanawha,
the expedition marched through fright
fully wild and rugged country, and after
crossing several ranges Of mountains, struck
and tore up the railway raided the neigh
boring country, and returning by tedious
and difficult march, arrived within fifteen
miles of Fayetteville, July Odd. During
all this time the command had been entirely
separated from mail communications, and
knew nothing Of the stirring events that
had happened in other departments, includ-
ing the surrender of Vicksburg, Lees
defeat at Gettysburg, and John Morgan's S
raid north of the Ohio. Col Hayes there
fore rode forward to Fayetteville to obtain
information, and on reaching the town
galloped at once to the telegraph office,
where, without dismounting he called to the
operator through the open window, "What's
the news p The man at the instrument
turned and was about to give him brief
history of events, when signal came over
the wires, and the man said, "Hold, I'm
called. Col. Hayes then went into the
office and read the following dispatch as it
came from the instrument
"John Morgan is crossing the Scioto at
Piketon, Ohio, and is making tor Gallipolls.
He will arrive there day after tomorrow. !"
This was startling news to Col. Hayes.
"John Morgan in Ohio !" he exclaimed,
''and making for Gallipolis ?" The operator
then explained that the rebel raider was
hardly beset by Union cavalry, and that he
was evidently seeking escape from the
State by crossing the Ohio River at CALI
polls, where there was no adequate force
to dispute his passage, or to protect large
quantities of supplies which had been col
lected there. Col Hayes comprehended
the situation in an instant and as quickly
sent this dispatch flashing over the wires ::
care there any steamboats, at Charles
ton ?"
eyes, two," was almost the immediate
answer.
"Send them up to Fayetteville at once, ="
Hayes responded.