Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. III.djvu/145

RUTHERFORD BIRCHARD HAYES 113 Morgan, and he aided materially in preventing the raiders from recrossing the Ohio -river and in com pelling Morgan to surrender. In the spring of 1864 Col. Hayes commanded a brigade in Gen. Crook s expedition to cut the principal lines of communication between Richmond and the south west. He again distinguished himself by conspicu ous bravery at the head of his brigade in storming a fortified position on the crest of Cloyd moun tain. In the first battle of Winchester, July 24, 1864, commanding a brigade in Gen. Crook s division, Col. Hayes was ordered, together with Col. James Mulligan, to charge what proved to be a greatly superior force. Col. Mulligan fell, and (Jol. Hayes, flanked and pressed in front by over whelming numbers, conducted the retreat of his brigade with great intrepidity and skill, checking the pursuit as soon as he had gained a tenable posi tion. He took a creditable part in the engagement at Berryville and in the second battle of Winches ter, September 19, 1864, where he performed a feat of extraordinary bravery. Leading an assault upon a battery on an eminence, he found in his way a morass over fifty yards wide. Advancing at the head of his brigade, he plunged in first, and, his horse becoming mired at once, he dismounted and waded across alone under the enemy s fire. Wav- mg his cap, he signalled to his men to come over, and, when about forty had joined him, he rushed