Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. IV.djvu/58

34 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS from sergeant to lieutenant, his commission dating from September 24, 1862. While at Camp Piatt he was promoted to 1st lieutenant February 7, 1863, and under his leader ship his company was first to scramble over the enemy s fortifications and silence their guns. Later, in the retreat that began on June 19, near Lynchburg, and continued until June 27$ the 23d marched 180 miles, fighting nearly all the time, with scarcely any rest or food. Lieut. McKinley con ducted himself with gallantry in every emergency, and at Winchester won additional honors. The 13th West Virginia regiment failed to retire when the rest of Hayes s brigade fell back, and was in imminent danger of capture. McKinley was di rected to go and bring it away, if it had not already fallen, and did so safely, after riding through a heavy fire. "He was greeted by a cheer," says a witness of the incident, "for all of us felt and knew one of the most gallant acts of the war had been performed." During the retreat they came upon a battery of four guns which had been left in the way, an easy capture for the enemy. McKinley asked permission to bring it off, but his superior officers thought it impossible, owing to the ex hausted condition of the men. "The 23d will do it," said McKinley, and, at his call for volunteers, every man of his company stepped out, and the guns were hauled off to a place of safety. The