The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-27
Fer the EAGLE.
Gen. R. B. Hayes for President.
WICHIrA. Anril u. Isl


ED. EAGLE:-During the past WIN
ter you presented to your readers a
leader upon the subject of Gen. Il. b.
Hayes, of Ohio, for President. The
theme was taken up and discussed
orally by many eminent men in the
State, receiving likewise fair share
of attention from the press. The con-
clusion arrived at, in council, was
based upon the assumption that to ag
| itate the claims of favorite so early
in the day was but to slaughter him.
Granting the conclusion to be correct,
the time has now arrived when the
claims of such may not be placed in
jeopardy, hence these few hastily
strung together "reminiscences of bye
gone days, when the subject of this
and the subscriber (then for time up
on the staff of Maj. Gen. Crook par
took Of the dainties of camp fare I'M
der many changing scenes and circum-
stances.
A rising young lawyer at the Cincin-
natl bar at the commencement of the
war, he yielded up lucrative practice
i'll answer to the demands of country,
and went forth to do battle as Major
of the 23d Ohio Infantry. His agreea-
BILE manners i'll camp, devoid Of any
assumption of superiority over the
lowest private, his honest zeal for the
cause, the alacrity he displayed in the
dispatch of business, and his eager
ness for the fray, made him a general
favorite with the officers and men of
his regiment, and when he led a fear
full charge at ADtietam and was borne
back bleeding and lifeless, the sorrow
manifested was as though an own
brother had met similar fate As
further evidence of the esteem in
which he was held at that early day, |
viii instance case wherein a soldier
artist drew battle scene portraying
the above event, entitled Wounding
OF Major Hayes at Antietam," which
met with such approval among rank
and file that a large number were lith-
ographed and sent home. | have seen
numerous copies myself since the war
adjoining the walls of soldiers cot
tages, and L believe they hang there
to-day. Promotion followed the above
occurrence, and upon recovery from
his wounds he was assigned to the
command of brigade comprised of
Ohio and West Virginia troops which,
under his leadership, became models
of proficiency in drill and vessels of
wrath upon the battle field. In action
he was moderately cool, and know of
no instance occurring throughout an
eventful period covering three years of
warfare, wherein he ever lost his pres
ence of mind, or failed to perform the
duty assigned, if within the scope Of |
possibility. In one memorable battle,
which resulted in defeat to our army,
he was the only general officer who
succeeded III eXtricating his command
and conducting it intact from the dis
astrous field, although or one occasion
surrounded by the foe. The
of ga was severe one, and
brought into action all the reserve
forces of the army. In this memora-
bic campaign-more than any other
Gen. Hayes won the laurcls which en-
deared him to the hearts of his country
men. To follow him from the break
ing up of his pleasant winter quarters
on the kanawha river in the spring of
The year, aud recount his deeds of val
Dr. upon the battle fields of Newborn,
Lynchburg, Kernston, Winchester, {
Fishers Hill and Cedar Creek, where {
sheridan and his wonderful horse be-
,ame immortalized, would impose up
m your crowded columns. Suffice it t
o say that an appreciative Govern '
nent commissioned him a Major Gen. g
raj and grateful and enthusiastic 4
'eople transferred him from the field i
o the forum. 1t is with pleasure re- f
ord the fact that Gen. Hayes was free b
f the vices that characterized SO many f
minent men both in civil and military n
fe, viz: intemperance, gaming and b
rofanity. n
AS speaker he is logical, fluent and Il
has mind well stored
18th useful knowledge, and whatever P
2 does is well done. As lawyer he m
as close student, trustworthy Il