EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of a weekly series on our region’s history coordinated by the Trumbull County Historical Society.

William McKinley was the last president elected who served in the Civil War.

McKinley belonged to the 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry alongside his mentor and Lt. Col. Rutherford Hayes, which prompted the regiment to be nicknamed “The Regiment of Presidents.”

McKinley enlisted in June 1861 and served until the war ended in 1865. The National McKinley Birthplace Memorial Museum has several artifacts related to McKinley’s service in the Civil War, and one of these is a compilation of his journal entries dating from June 1861 to September 1861.

CAMP JACKSON,

JUNE 16, 1861

Sunday morning arose at the usual hour was at roll call at five; spent most of the day reading and writing; in the evening spent my time until nine o’clock at a prayer meeting also after roll call up to ten. Both of these meetings were good. I found them precious to my soul. In fact, I felt more of the love of God in my heart at these meetings than I felt for some time before.

CAMP CHASE,

JUNE 20, 1861

Was at roll call at five in the morning, did not drill on account of being on guard; I had not what you might call an unpleasant time standing as sentinel for Camp Chase. Slept out of doors from nine to twelve, stood on guard from twelve to two. I enjoyed sleeping on a rough board much better than I expected with nought but an overcoat and a blanket to cover me.

CAMP CHASE,

JUNE 30, 1861

The Col. Lt. Col and Major was around and inspected our quarters, spent part of the day reading, with the assistance of JW Cracraft acted as cook, had class meeting at 2 O’clock P.M. which encouraged me to go on in the path I had commenced. It was a good a meeting as I have attended for some time

CAMP CHASE,

JULY 5, 1861

Arose about five o’ clock. Got a cold check, went on guard at twenty minutes past six, stayed two hours, rather tired and sleepy, received a letter from Mattie Hunter, which I read with interest and pleasure, wrote an article for the register under not very favorable circumstances, twenty three prisoners from VA were brought here to be guarded and held as prisoners, on dress parade in the evening, drilled a short time afterwards, smoked a cigar given to me by AJ Duncan, had a conversation on religion and morals which was quite interesting

AUG. 22, 1861

Left about 8 o’clock AM for Buckhannon Upsher Co Virginia, arrived there at 2 o’clock PM, a distance of seventeen miles, When we arrived there, I was very tired and fatigued

AUG. 28, 1861

We had no provisions with us but as luck would have it there were three companies of the 9th Regiment who built fires for us and furnished us provisions

SEPT. 5, 1861

Was ordered to prepare for inspection, but owing to the rain it was deferred. Visited the town of Sutton, was led to reflect on the devastation and misery caused by the Civil War. There are to be found but few civilians, all of the houses are occupied by soldiers

SEPT. 13, 1861

Frequently cannon balls whizzed past our heads. We returned in the darkness of night. I need not mention the difficulties we had in returning. Before we returned the firing had ceased and the enemy was preparing to retreat. While on our way we met the 10th Regiment with their dead and wounded. The sighs and groans were pitiable.

The museum houses McKinley’s journal in its digitized form, which allows visitors to not only read through the entries, but see McKinley’s penmanship. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, so make plans to come visit.