The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1897-09-23

~ H 0G HEY call it McKin.
| II ley's now. Once Il
y was know "A
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teers, but by what
ever name called this regiment is re-
membered as one of bravery and dar-
ing during the war, and since then it
has become unique in more respects
than one among all the many that
fought for the maintenance of .he
Union. What other regiment has fur
nished two Presidents of the United
States, for instance? None. The
Twenty-third Ohio is the only regiment
that can make that boast, and it can
add, as well, justice of the Supreme
bench.
The two Presidents developed from
the Twenty-third Ohio were, of course,
Rutherford B. Hayes and the present
occupant of the White House, William
Mckinley. The justice of the Supreme
bench was Stanley Matthews. OF these
three, Hayes and Matthews We're col
onels of the regiment and rose to high
er commands. Mckinley, going as a
mere boy, was promoted to captaincy
for meritOrious service, served in that
rank at the end of the war and was
then made a major BY brevet.
Besides these three figures another of
national Importance in the Twenty.
third was Gen. w. S. Rosecrans, also
colonel Of the regiment, and later on
one OF the foremost fighters in the
Northern army. And besides there
were numerous lesser luminaries. who,
though their positions did not bring
them steadily before the public eye,
still performed deeds of courage and
daring that have made their names as
household words in the State from
which they entered the service. In
terest In the regiment is revived by the
recent reunion held at Fremont, Ohio.
About 500 survivors of the regiment
which from first to last had 2,O95 en-
listed men-were present at the re-
union.
Aside from contributing two chief
executives to the country and several
valiant soldiers to the Union army, the
Twenty-third was remarkable. 1t was
the first Of the Ohio regiments to enlist
for three years service in the war. The
others had enlisted on the first call aud
for the three months period only. Hav-
Ing so many fighters in its ranks, it saw
fighting from first to last and was glad
OF it, since there was fighting to be
done. ROsecrans was the first colonel
Of the regiment. Hayes was the first
major and Mckinley the last. p. P.
ScammOn, who as an Instructor at
West Point had Grant, Longstreet and
numerous other prominent fighters on
both sides Of the war as his pupils, sue
ceeded ROsecranS as colonel. Robert 2.
Kennedy and Walter C. Lyon, both
afterward Lieutenant Governors Of
Ohio, were minor officers.
The regiment saw really more than
Its share Of active service during the
war. 1t went at once to the front and.
on the way "Old Rosy" as he was
called, was promoted from colonel to
brigadier general. ScammOn then be.
came the colonel and the regiment was
into West Virginia, where from
it kept up Il hunt against
the euerrillas who roamed that coun-
try. The first real service under steady
fire, though, was at Carnifex Ferry.
where a lot Of sharp skirmishing forced
the Confederates to abandon their posi-
ton. Under command Of Lieut.. Col.
Hayes In May, 1862. the regiment
moved to Princeton, which was quick
" evacuated by the Confederates. Af-
ter leaving Princeton the regiment
moved to Flat Top during the early
From there they FASTENED on
to join Mcclellan in Washington. With
the Twentythird helped to
drive the Confedelltes from Frederick
City and then went to South Mountain
and Antietam. The Ohio fighters did
gallant service there and Scammon
was made brigadier general. Hayes
him as colonel of the regi-
ment.
In 1868 the TwenIy-thir1 was sent
put against Morgan's raiders, who were
devastating Ohio, and after hard
chase met and captured him at Pom
,roy. In April, "a, the regiment re-
turned to Charleston md engaged ac-
lively in the series of battles that fol-
owed there. Fer il time the troops
we're engaged in destroying the Vir-
yinia and Tennessee Railroad. and in
May fought in the battle of Cloyd |
Mountain. On June II the regiment
was in at the capture of Lexington, but
July q suffered defeat. For a month !
,fter that there was fighting and skir-
mishing up and down the Shenandoah |
Valley, till at Halltown, Aug. 23. the |
rwenty-third captured a regiment of |
South Carolina troops. On Sept. 3 a |
ierce engagement took place at Berry
7ille. On Sept. 10 was the battle of |
0pequam. Cedar Greek was the last
engagement in which the |
regiment took part. The men returned |
o Camp Cumberland in the early |
spring of '65, and in July returned to |
heir Ohio homes. Since the war they |
nave scattered almost to the four cor |
lers. The regiment has members all |
,ver this wide country, occupying emf |
lent positions in their respective COM
nunities.
A Prize Beauty.
When you want to hear good stories, |
ldvises the Cincinnati Commercial
you must join group of vet /
,rans. The best time is to find a dozen |
IT two of them gathered around Il big |
heating stove in post room, when the |
weather is cold and the wind whistles. |
These conditions recall old days when |
comforts of any kind We're all but I'M |