Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-11-06
THE BATTLE FIELD.
RIDDLED WITH SHOT.
The Wonderful Record of Captain Nc
KInIey an Iowa Veteran.

tSlShAnAtFf = ItBHly res ptcLtu EesAutib
of Mitchell County. It is but fitting
introduction to state that in the last few
years. as result OF his exploits he has
had III pieces Of bone taken from his
body, eighty-seven pieces from his head
alone. He is man hut little past
ffty-one years OF age, never touched a
drop Of Intoxicating liquors, does not
use coffee, and although he is continu-
ally suffering pain, and his body racked
with disease, he is a perfect picture Of
health
Captain Mckinley was one Of the
bravest Of soldiers. lie first enlisted as
private with the Third Iowa in 1861.
His first battle was at Monroe, No, and
at Kirksyille he was shot in the head.
He was on his way to Fort Johnson,
having in his charge u. w. Mahoney,
then editor Of the Dubuque Herald, who
was accused Of instigating treason,
when he received news of his appoint
ment TO Lieutenancy, by special re-
quest Of Acknowledgement Baker lie
was assigned to Company A, Twenty
fourth Iowa, and was ordered to Musca-
tine. Then he went to Helena, Ark,
and participated in Sherman's raid
against Nicksburg N 1862. In 1868 he
joined Germans expedition UP White
river. At the battle Of Port Glib
son he was slightly injured in the
head but fifteen days later he en-
gagged in the battle Of Champion Hill
While in the fight she'll explod-
ed over him, one piece crushing
through his face near tho right
nOstril and lodging in his throat, an
other unfolding itself in his brain.
With commendable c0olness he inserted
his finger in his mouth and picked the
piece out Of his throat. then fell uncon-
sciOus to the ground and was left under
tree as dead. While he was living
there be WAS robbed OF his purse, con
tanning about two hundred and eighty
dollars, his gold watch and, what was
dearer to him than any thing else, his
sword. Thirty-six hours later be was
picked up and an iron band placed around
his head to hold it together He never
fully recovered. but four months later
he was sent to Iowa City, where he was
put in command Of post In Novem-
Der, 1868. he rejoined his regiment and
went to New iberia, La In command
of company he was started out on
a raid, but at the first beat OF the drum
he uttered an unearthly yell and fell to
the ground. He was laid up for short
time again with nervous prostration,
but soon after joined the Red river ex-
petition, and after the Sabine Cross
Road fight was sent to New Orleans to
return convalescents to Alexandria. At
Shaggy Point he was attacked by 1900
of Taylor's men and was again shot
through the right arm, but his boat was
the only one out Of the five that ran the
blockade. In the campaign with Sheri-
dan in Shenandoah at the battle Of
Winchester a mimic ball was shot into
his hip and this he carried for twenty
four years. He now carries the ball as
a pocket piece and it IS one Of the high
ly priced relics of the war The night
following the battle of Fisher Hin he
was pursuing the enemy down the
turnpike. Everybody supposed that
there was cavalry deploy ahead
and he was marching listlessly,
waiting for the echoes of an engage
ment as ne was Flooding up the defile
with his men a volley of artillery and
enough musketry to keep it respectable
company struck them square in the
front Among the many killed and
wounded Mckinley was shot through
the hip twice and his thigh broken. He
was placed with twelve other wounded
men in cabin when Mosby's ruerrillas
walked up TO the door and fred a volley
into the dying men. Eight we're killed.
and at least a dozen holes were shot
through McKinleys coat. But he had
received his last wound in war Four
teen days later he was recaptured by
Sheridan and taken to Winchester, where
the operation of setting his leg was
performed. In April, 1865, by special
act Of the War Department, he was dis
charged from service on account Of
wounds received in action.
The Captain is connected with ono of
the most remarkable railroad damage
cases in the State, that of Mckinley VS.
the Northwestern. He is a powerful
built man, and years ago, when it was
the custom to reserve a car in each pas
senger train for ladies, he was travelling
in Illinois, and at Harvard stepped out
on the platform to bid friend goodbye
When he went to re-enter the car
brakeman stepped in front of him and
told him that he could not go in. Me-
Kinley told him that he had his grip in
there, which he had to have The
brakeman was obstinate, and persisted
that it was against the rules to let him
in. Mckinley pushed his way into the
car, but just as no was passing the door
the brakeman dealt him terrible blow
on the shoulder, dislocating it, McKin-
ly turned on him, and, with his right
hand, picked him up and dashed him TO
the floor, nearly killing him He then
took his sachel, went over into the city.
and at once instituted suit against tic
railroad corporation for So, 900 damasea
After twelve years Of litigation he final
ly received from the company draft
for 80 ST as damages Mason City la.1
Cor. Chicago Herald