The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1876-06-29
HAYES AS A SOLDIER.

HAYES AS SOLDIER.
The Gazette then proceeds to give
an extended account of Gov. Hayes
military record from the date of his
entrance into the army, in 1861, as a
member of the 23d regiment, Ohio
Volunteers, under command of Gen.
Rosecrans as Colonel, and Judge
Stanley Matthews, of Cincinnati, as
Lieutenant Colonel-Hsyes being a
Maior-to his first election to Con
gress, in 1864, when he was still in
the field. During his military career
he participated in the battles of
South Mountain, Cloyd's Mountain,
Winchester, Cedar Greek and Ope-
guam, and was prominently connect
ed with the campaign in the
Valley of the Shenandoah. In the
first year of his service he was sue
cessively promoted to the rank of
Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel, and
in 1854 was commissioned Briga-
dier- General ''for gallant and meri-
torious service in the battles of Win
chester, Fishers Hill and Cedar
Creek" and was brevetted Major
General 'for gallant and distinguish
ed services during the campaigns
of that year in West Virginia Pri-
or to these promotions he had com
manded a brigade for over two years,
and he was then commanding a di-
vision. In the course of his arduous
services, four horses had been shot
from under him, and he had been
wounded four times.
His advancement in the army, as
in political life, was never sought
and did not come until long after il
had been fully earned. Of his mill
tary character, one who served with
him in nearly all his campaigns, has
written as follows:
General Hayes was one of the
most gallant soldiers that ever drew
sword. More than four years ser
vice in the same command gave the
writer ample opportunity to observe
that no braver or more dashing anC
enterprising commander gave his
services to the Republic than Gov
Hayes. He was the idol of his com
mand. No soldier doubted where h'
led
The name of Gov. Hayes was pro
posed by the soldiers in the field, il
the early part of 1865, as a candidat'
for Governor of Ohio, but he EN-
phatically refused. In the preced
ing autumn he had been nominated
as candidate for Congress by tn
Republicans of the Second Distric
of Ohio, the announcement of whicl
brought from him the following re
ply:
''IN CAM
"Yours offs received. Thanks
1 have other business just now. An,
man who would leave the army a
this time to eleetioneer for Congress
ought to be scalped. Truly yours,
''R. B. HAYES
OF his election and career in Cor
gress the Cincinnati Gazette says:
Notwithstanding the refusal t
! leave the field, to cooperate with h
friends in securing his political pr
ferment, he was handsomely electe'
defeating Joseph G. Butler, tt
, Democratic candidate, by majorit
, of 2,455. In 1866 he was re electet
: his competitor being Mr.. Theodol
] Cook, and his majority over thi
j gentleman was 1855. In Congress
| his industry, his sound judgmen
and fidelity to the interests OF h
constituents, were conspicuous, an
gave him position of great prom
nence and influence with his felloV
members. Though not apparent
ambitious of oratorical display, an
r seldom occupying the House wit
0 even short speech, his unobtrusi7
= and thoroughly efficient discharge
his duty won for him not only +
: spect, but reputation, and he was r
:, orardad both in WASHINGTON m