Evening journal., 1908-09-17

youngest men Of It's rank and file was
its commissary sergeant, William Nc
iKnley. Both IN time became Presr
dent of the United States No other
regiment that took part in the war en-
joyed such a distinction.
As a momento of McKinley's untime-
ly death at the hands cf an assassin
the people Of Wilmington Delaware,
resolved TO erect a suitable but modest
memorial TO his character and worth.
After careful oonsideration Of various
plans by various artists and sculptors
the committee, having the work in
charge. employed James j.. Kelly, q
distinguished sculptor Of New York
city. TO design and erect a suitable
monument IN granite ana bronze. ana
that monument is now in position. Tho
sculptor chosen is a man of expert
ence and notable success. Amongst
his most celebrated works are the bat-
tie monument at Monmouth and the
equestrian statue of Fltz John Porter
al Portland. Maine He has also de-
signed and is preparing TO erect a
colossalgroup in bronze showing the de.
fense of New Haven by students Of
Yale College from the British in the
War Of 1912.
Tho subject chosen for the work at
Wilmington is an incident in the life
OF Sergeant Mckinley az the battle Of
Antietam.
II win be remembered that young
| Mckinley enlisted as a private soldier
i'm Company &C" Of the Twenty-third
Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The records
Of the War Department show that he
was then is years Of age and feet,
6 IA inches high. but there is reason
to believe that he was1rQt So oldaHe
was doubtless entered upon the records
and became an enl stei soldier with Tho
consent OF his parents at the minimum
ago allowed by law at the time Those
who knew him then saw he was slender
and delicate in appearance but 81
bright and active that he was selecte.
10 serve as commissary sergeant Of tho
regiment As such ne accompanied 4
throughout the Antietam campaign anC
as commissioned officer served till th'
end ~ the war Of the union.
From statement made by General
~. l.. Botsford Of Youngstown, Ohio
ment and took part i'm the campaign
and battle Of Antietam, Il appears that
Mckinley was at that time with the
commissary supplies two miles in rear
Of the fighting line At that stage of
the war I'm al battles, whether large
or small. there were numerous strag-
glers who easily found their way back
10 where the commissary wagons were
] fe n n AnfiDf0m
land Sergeant Mckinley conceived and
put into execution the idea Of using
some OF the stragglers from his own
regiment to make coffee and lcarrS
IL TO the boys az the front. and II was
nearly dark when tremendous cheering
arose from the left OF the regiment.
His Act Of Heroisr.
As II had been having heavy fightin
right up 10 this time the division com
mander. General Ccammon. sent Botsfor
10 find out the cause OF the cheering whic
he soon ascertained to be for McKinle
and his hot coffee. You can readily i'm
agine the rousing welcome that youngste
received from both the officers and me
OF his regiment.
Botsford adds in substanc. that Sci
geant Mckinley left his post of securit
In the rear and drove into the middle q
bloody battle with an army wagon an
a team OF army mules. Il needs nothin
more to show the character and determir
alton OF Mckinley who was a mere boy g
the time. He loaded up two wagons wit
supplies but the mules OF one were dli
abied and although he was ordered Sac
time and again he pushed on 20 IN
front AS ne gave cup OF hot coffee an
r a piece Of hard tack 70 one soldier VIII
{ had been shot. his comrade grateful
, called out: "God bless the lad" and No
Kinley afterwards declared that th'
blessing had repaid him over and ov'
again for the exertion and danger whic
he faced in performing his duty on th'
eyentfui day.
/, The result OF this thoughtful ACT on n
part Of Sergeant Mckinley was 70 inspil
? the fighting line with renewed courage an
when later an order came for a fin
charge they rushed 70 the attack with II
I creased vigor and determination.
Colonel Hayes reported the circur
stances OF this case 10 Governor Tod
y who in turn directed McKinley's prom
? ton TO second lieutenant. and the commi
:. sion was issued accordingly.
a FittingIy Portrayed.
{ The sculptor has httingly portrayed
= monumental brass this nltruistic incidei
an dthe picture which correctly Civ