The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-01-26

formed chiefly out of literary club to which
he belonged
The governor of Ohio shortly afterward ap-
pointed him major and then Gen. Rosecrans
persuaded him to act as judge advocate of the
department of Ohio In October 1861, he was
promoted to lieutenant colonel At the battle
OF South Mountain he led a charge and was so
severely wounded in the arm that he had to be
carried from the field. His regiment lost near
ly half it's effective force in this combat He
also distinguished himself in the first battle of
Winchester, at Fishers hill and at Cedar
creek In the last-named engagement his con-
duct attracted the attention of his commander
Gen. Crook who said to him on the field Of
battle: Colonel, from this day you will be a
brigadier general" The promise was fulfilled
a few days later by the arrival of his commits
sion.
In March. 1865, he was made brevet MAJOR
general. Gen. Grant had a high opinion OF
Gen. Hayes military abilities. considering him
not only conspicuously brave soldier, but q
man possessing qualities of higher order than
mere personal daring.
" lille. still in the army Gen. Hayes was
elected to congress from the Second Ohio dis
trict but he did take his seat until the close
OF the war. In 1866 he was reelected and served
until the following year when he was chosen
governor of his state over Judge Thurman, the
democratic nominee. In 1869 he was renom
mated, his opponent this time being George H.
Pendleton, whom he defeated by majority of
$500 His administration was clean and
honest.
Though wishing to retire from public life
Mr. Hayes was induced to accept nomination
for congress from the republicans of Cincin-
natl. The election resulted in his defeat by a
majority of l,5O0. 1t was at this time that he
made his permanent home in Fremont, a small
town in the northern part of Ohio In 1879 he
was much against his will. again nominated
for governor, and after memorable campaign
in which sound currency was the principal
issue involved he was elected by a majority of
$500. This canvass attracted national atten-
ton IND its result placed Mr. Hayes among the
possibilities in the impending contest for the
republican presidential nomination.
The Ohio delegation to the Cincinnati conven-
ton which opened June IA. 1879, supported him
sol1dly Blaine was the leading candidate, but
when the seventh ballot was reached his op-
ponents concentrated on Mr.. Hayes and gave
him the nomination. The democrats named
Samuel j. Tilden. OF New York. In the cam
paign which followed the leading issues were
c1vll-servlce reform. the resumption of specie
payments and the pacihcation OF the south
AS Is well known. the election resulted in a
serious dispute between the parties as to which
candidate was the real victor. Both claimed to
have carried the states of Louisiana, Florida
and South Carolina. Charges Of fraud were
freely made and much violent language was
INDUCED in On the face Of the returns as made
by the canvassing boards of the states in cues
ton and by those of the states in which there
were no disputes Mr.. Hayes had a majority
OF l in the electoral college To avoid a
deadlock in congress the parties agreed to
let commission consisting Of five senators,
five representatives and five judges of the su-
preme court decide the whole matter. This
commission, by vote of to :, decided not TO
go behind the certificates of the governors, and
Mr.. Hayes was finally, on the I'd OF March,
1877, declared duly elected and on the 5th of the
same month was inaugurated
Mr.. Hayes administration was efhcient and
safe II not brilliant. AS soon as his cabinet had
been formed he began the work OF removing
the causes OF dissatisfaction in the south, This
was attended with many dinHculties and he was