CHAPTER VI
McKinley at Antietam — Rations for Fighting Soldiers — Made a Second Lieutenant — Morgan's Raid — Capture of the Noted Raider
The battle of Antietam Creek, or Sharpsburg, followed immediately after that of South Mountain, and lasted two days. The Confederates had taken a strong position near the Potomac, with the creek in front of them, and with General Longstreet on the right wing, and General Hill on the left wing, while General Hood, with two brigades, covered a road running northward.
There was a small skirmish on the 16th of September, but on the 17th the battle opened in earnest. Hooker's force near Keedysville did some hard fighting and was supported by Mansfield's command, the gallant commander losing his life on the field. The divisions of Sedgwick, Richardson, and French were also to the front, and aided by the artillery, helped to make the Confederate position too hot to be held. Burnside was ordered across the creek, and went, although somewhat delayed. Then some two thousand fresh Confederate troops appeared, and Burnside was compelled to retire, when darkness put an end to the fighting, which had already lasted fourteen hours.
In this battle the Twenty-third Ohio Infantry fought with the Kanawha division. This division made a disastrous charge during the closing hours of the battle. As they were advancing, the enemy suddenly came forth from a neighboring cornfield and poured a deadly fire at them, shooting down their colors and several of the officers. For the instant there was a panic, but the soldiers rallied around Major Comly, who secured the fallen flag and raised it up, and then another rush was made. Soon a battery in the rear came to the aid of the Ohio troops, and the Confederates retired as quickly as they had come.
As commissary sergeant, William McKinley was not supposed to play a prominent part in the battle, yet the records show that he exhibited rare bravery in doing something which had never been done before, and which has seldom been done since.
The soldiers had had an early and scanty breakfast when called into action, and so rapid were their various movements that by noon many were faint and hungry. But the provision wagons were miles away, and it looked as if they must continue to fight on empty stomachs, no matter how much they craved food and drink.
With the provision wagons was Sergeant McKinley, and soon word reached him that the boys were hungry and thirsty, and dropping out right and left.
"If you could only give them a can of coffee, they'd be satisfied," said his informer.
"They shall have coffee and other rations too," cried the young commissary sergeant."Here, help hitch up these mules!"
The provisions were in two wagons, and soon McKinley, aided by several army stragglers, had the mules hitched to these, and the journey to the front began. The way was uncertain, shot and shell flew in all directions, and while one wagon got stuck in a mud-hole, the mules of the other were disabled by the firing. But, undaunted, McKinley pushed on, driving the leading wagon himself and picking up a stray pair of mules as he went. At last he reached the field of battle, much to the amazement of many officers and to the intense delight of his command.
"Hurrah, here's Sergeant McKinley with rations!" was the cry."Hurrah!" And somebody else a