New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-19

and said You'll do" That was perhaps the
rruuuest moment the boy had yet known. to be
thus treated by the famous "Pathiinder OF
whose thrilling adventures he had read with 50
much zest. The company was made Company l.
OF the 23d Ohio Regiment. Of which William s
Rosecrans Colonel Stanley Matthews Leu
tenant Colonel and Rutherford b. Hayes Major
For fourteen months Mckinley carried a mus
ket In the ranks He was a good soldier. intelN-
gently obedient to his superior officers and genial
and generous TO his comrades. There no
more popular man in the regiment and no harder
fighter Nor was there any lack Of fighting to do
Six weeks after it left Columbus the regiment
had its baptism Of blood and fire at Carnifex
Ferry. Then il had 10 chase the rebel raiders
back and forth across the rugged mountain
ranges. was drenched by incessant aims almost
famshed at times for lack Of food and exposed
70 all manner Of unpleasant experiences The
young men from Poland thus had their fighting
qualities and powers Of endurance put to a hard
test. But they stood 1t admirably. The regiment
was ordered 10 Washington. and was there
made part Of the great Army OF the Potomac. OF
which Mcclellan was commander. Then came
Antietam. In which Titanic conflict the soldier
boy bore himself with all OF a veterans vaor
and at the end Of which he left the ranks with a
neutenants sword at his side. Never was there
a more popular promotion In the "Fighting Tween
ty-thrd," and never one more fully deserved or
more modesty borne Il always look back with
pleasure on those fourteen months | served I'm the
ranks" said Mr.. Mckinley not very long ago
They taught a great deal | was but
schoolbot when went into the Army and that
year formative period in my nfe during
which learned much OF men and affairs. ] have
always been glad that entered the service as a
private"
After Antietam came active and rapid work in
the West Virginia mountains, and then a quick
march into Pennsylvania and back again. one
day the regiment had breakfast in Pennsylva-
MIA. dinner In Maryland and supper in Virginia.
period Of rest followed. from November, 1862
to July 1868 Indeed. there is record OF
serious engagement until April 1864. when Cen
eral Crook made raid upon :he Virginia and
Tennessee Railroad Battles were fought and
victories won at Clyde Mountain and at New
Bridge In June the regiment jciLed General
Hunters command and suffered a repuse at
Iynchburg In July came the battle Of Kerns-
town near Winchester in which they were also
repulsed after hard struggle. During this battle
Mckinley made himself conspicuous by his
daring execution Of an order one or the regl-
ments was posted in an orchard. far In 'front.'.
When the rest Of the army was compelled to fall
hack n was left there unsupported, apparently
forgotten by the commanding officers. Finally
General HAYES discovering tho oversight. d.
rected Mckinley to carry an order TO the unfortu-
nate regiment TO retreat. 1t seemed certain death
10 90 but the yonng soldier started on his errand
without a moments hesitation. His comrades
never expected to see him alive again. but In
short time he returned safe and sound with his
errand accomplished.
Another striking incident occurred ir the bat
tie at Opeuuan near Winchester. in September,
1864, when Mckinley was a member OF Sheri-
dams STAFF. Mckinley was sent with verbal
order to General Duval, directing him TO move
his command quickly to another position. Gen
eral Duval, on receiving the order. not knowing
the clay OF the land" asked Mckinley. by what
route shall l go?' Mckinley knew little more
of the country than did Duval. but he had been
observing keenly all day and he unhesitatngly re-
Piled Il would go along ,his creek" Duval hesi-
tated and finally said II will not go at all with
out positive orders TO the route" Then Nc
KInley knowing that the fate OF the battle was
perhaps trembling in the balance. said peremp-
torlly General. this is a case Of great emer-
gency ] order you. by command Of General
Crook, 10 move your command Immediately
along this creek to position on the right OF the