— Ch. 1 · From Private To Major —
William McKinley.
~11 min read · Ch. 1 of 7
William McKinley Jr. stood in the ranks of the Poland Guards on a June day in 1861, holding a rifle and wearing a uniform that had not yet been issued to his unit. He was one of thousands of young men from Ohio who volunteered when Confederate states seceded. The group consolidated into the 23rd Ohio Infantry under Colonel Eliakim P. Scammon. McKinley quickly adapted to military life and wrote letters home praising the Union cause. His regiment fought at Carnifex Ferry in September 1861, driving back Confederate troops. Three days later he worked as a clerk in the brigade quartermaster office. In April 1862 he earned promotion to commissary sergeant after substituting for an ill colleague. The 23rd Ohio joined General John Pope's Army of Virginia at the Second Battle of Bull Run but arrived too late to fight. They then moved north to Maryland where they encountered Confederates at South Mountain on September 14. At Antietam McKinley brought rations to men under heavy fire while his regiment suffered many casualties. After the battle the unit returned to western Virginia. During winter quarters near Charleston Virginia McKinley received orders to return to Ohio to recruit fresh troops. Governor David Tod surprised him with a commission as second lieutenant in recognition of his service at Antietam. The division skirmished with John Hunt Morgan's cavalry at Buffington Island in July 1863. Early in 1864 the army marched into southwestern Virginia to destroy salt and lead mines used by the enemy. On May 9 they engaged Confederate troops at Cloyd's Mountain where McKinley said combat was "as desperate as any witnessed during the war". The regiment moved to the Shenandoah Valley and captured Lexington Virginia on June 11. They advanced toward Lynchburg before returning to West Virginia when Confederate General Jubal Early raided Maryland. McKinley came under heavy fire at Kernstown on July 24 and was promoted to captain after the battle. He transferred to General Crook's staff and later helped rally troops at Cedar Creek on October 19. By February 1865 Crook was captured and McKinley served on four different general staffs over fifteen days. Finally assigned to Samuel S. Carroll's staff he acted as adjutant. Lee surrendered a few days later ending the war. Just before mustering out McKinley received a brevet commission as major.