Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/136

108 1776 had intended—there should be no North, no South, no East, no West, only One Country—Our Country, the United States of America. And the great bitterness occasioned by that war which had just passed was to be swept away to its last drop by that young soldier who had done his duty so faithfully,—William McKinley.

It was not until July 26, that the Twenty-third Ohio Volunteers was mustered out. The regiment was only the ghost of its former self, and the battle flag was sadly torn and scarred. But even in that condition it went to Washington, there to pass in the Grand Review before President Lincoln. That was the day of all days, and no young soldier was more proud than was Major McKinley, as he passed the President's stand on his faithful bobtailed steed.

This was the end of William McKinley's military career. Before, however, we pass on to other scenes, let us look for a moment at his achievements while fighting for Old Glory. He went into the army a mere boy of eighteen, knowing absolutely nothing of the service. He took part in some thirty engagements and served as commissary