The Washington times., 1901-09-14
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.


town. Here was commenced the battle oi
South Mountain, eliminating in the grea
battle of Antietam on September H. Il
was at Antietam that Mckinley first wor
substantial recognition, being promoted te
a second lieutenancy for gallant conduc'
on that bloody field of battle.
DEEDS OF vALoR REcoUNTED.
The battle of Antietam was followed by
engagements at Buffington's Island
Ohio, and at Cloyd Mountain, in which
latter the Twenty-third Ohio again did
deeds of valor. Several other battles were
fought between the date of that of Cloyd
Mountain~and July "a, 1864, on which day
battle was fought at Kernstown, neal
Winchester. Va, in which the Twenty
third Ohio lost over $50 men and officers
General Russell Hastings, who took par'
in it. gives glimpse of Mckinley during
that engagement.
They were in the same regiment. on the
same staff and slept under the same
blanket. on the Union side was only
Crooks Corps. some 6,000 strong, while
opposed to it was the fun force of Ear
ly's army The odds were too great. SO
after some severe fighting, Hayes brig
ade, which was engaged. drew back in
the UlTeCllOu OF W iuCutSleI.
Just at that moment says General
Hastings, "it was discovered that one OF
the regiments was still in an orchard
where IL had been posted at the beginning
of the battle. General Hayes, turning to
Lieutenant Mckinley, directed him to go
If it had not already fallen. Mckinley
turned his horse and, keeenly spurring it,
pushed 1t at a fierce gallop obliquely to-
ward the advancing enemy.
"A sad look came over Hayes face as
he saw the young, gallant boy pushing
rapidly forward to almost certain death.
None of us expected to see him
again, as we watched him push his horse
through the open fields, over fences.
through bitches, while well-directed fire
from the enemy was poured upon him,
with shells exploding around, about, and
over him.
CLOSE TO EXPLODING SHELL.
"Once he was completely enveloped in
the smoke Of an exploding shell, and we
thought he had gone down, but no, he
was saved for better work for his coun-
try IN the future years. Gut Of this
smoke emerged his wiry little brown
horse, with Mckinley still firmly seated,
and as erect as hussar.
Mckinley gave the colonel the orders
from Hayes to fall back, saying, in addi-
tion. He supposed you would have gone
ners reply was, L was about concluding
/ would retire without waiting any longer
for orders. 1 am now ready to go wher-
ever you shall lead, but, lieutenant, /
fellows a volley or two before l CO. Nc
reply was, Then up and at them
as quickly as possible and as the regi-
ment arose to its feet the enemy came
on into full view. Colonel Browns boys
gave the enemy crushing volley, fol-
lowing it up with rafting fire. and then
slowly retreated toward some woods d.
rectly in their rear. At this time the en-
emy halted all along Browns immediate
front and for some distance to his right
and left, no doubt feeling he was touching
a secondary line, which should be APP
with all due caution During this
hesitancy of the enemy Mckinley led the
through these woods on toward
Winchester.
las Hayes and Crook saw this regi-
ment safely of, they turned. and. follows
ing the column, with it moved slowly to
the rear. down the Winchester pike At
a point near Winchester Mckinley
brought the regiment to the column and
70 its place in the brigade.
Mckinley greeted us all with happy
Smile-no effusion, no gushing
palaver of words. though all of us felt
and knew one of the most gallant acts of
the war had been performed.
'As Mckinley drew up by the side of
Hayes to make his verbal report. / heard
Hayes say to him, 1 never expected to
see you in life again
LAST ENGAGEMENT OF IMPORTANCE.
The last engagement of national impor-
lance. which practically closed the active
history of the Twenty-third Ohio Regi-
ment, was the battle of Cedar Creek,
which took place on October IS. 1864. To-
ward the close of that month the regi-
ment was ordered to Martinsburg On its
march to that point the men voted at the
Presidential election. The votes were col
ected by the judges of election as the
column was In march, from among the
wagons. 1t was there Mckinley cast his
irst vote. An ambulance was used as an
election booth, and an empty candle-box
lid dutyzas the baIlot-box. AT the same
lime and place Generals Sheridan Crook,
and Hayes cast their ballots. and it was
The first vote ever cast by Sheridan or
Crook.
Early the following spring the Twenty
.hird returned to Camp Cumberland, and
IN July 26. 1865, little more than four
years from the time of enlistment, the
was mustered out and the scar
red veterans who had experienced four
years of dangers and hardships returned
% their homes.
The four years of army life proved
beneficial to the young soldier who was
much stronger physically at the close of
the war than at its beginning. OF his
military record 1t has been stated that
Mckinley, both as private and officer, in
he commissary department, was courage
'us. clear headed, and self-possessed. For
services rendered in the winter camp at
Fayetteville he received his first promo
lion. becoming a commissary sergeant,
April Is. 1862.
On February T.. 1863. while at Camp
oiatt, he was promoted to first lieutenant
rs above related, and on July 25 of the
ollowing year. when he was twenty-one
years OF age, he was made captain. Previ-
'us to this his. regiment had taken part
~ 90 OF MD tot,
River Bridge, Lexington, Buffalo Gap,
Otter Creek, Lynchburg and
8ufford's Gap. AT Berryvile, September
I. 1864. his horse was shot under him. On
March IA, 1865. he received his commission
Is major by brevet for gallant and meri-
orious services at the battles of Opequan
cedar Creek, and Fishers HILL" He was
mustered out when only twenty-five years
I'D.
AS A YOUNG LAWYER.
Upon leaving the army he returned to
lis home in Poland and began the study
# law with Judge Charles E GIidden and
David NJ Wilson, of Youngstown, Ohio
lie subsequently studied at the Albany,
Y. y. Law School, and was admitted to
he Ohio bar in March. 1867. He then set
led in Canton. Ohio, which has since been
lis home. and soon attracted attention as
lawyer of much ability.
He built up very lucrative practice.
rs persuasive advocate before jury he
lad no superior in that section of Ohio
md his thorough preparation and elo-
uence won many important cases. 1t
las been said by his friends and biogra-
hers that his tremendous capacity for
work and willingness to prepare thor
ughly for cases, together with his apti-
ude for speaking would have enabled
lin to win recognition as an eminent ju-
list had he not drifted into politics and
fterward into craftsmanship.
Although Stark county generally gave
Democratic nlilrnlity he plarfa6
Prosecuting attorney in 1869. as Repub-
lean, but was defeated for the same po-
tion two years later From this period
dr. Mckinley devoted much time to poll