Ohio Battlefield Commission History

During the brutal battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, soldiers of the 23rd Ohio Volunteers were under fire from confederate troops. Seeing his fellow soldiers were getting low on moral, future President William McKinley under no orders from a commanding officer, brought hot coffee and food to every soldier in his regiment. After the war, McKinley went on to become Governor of Ohio and Congressman of Ohio. He was elected twice as President of the United States before being assassinated on September 6th 1901. On October 13th 1903, the Ohio Battlefield Commission dedicated the McKinley monument in his honor, on the spot where he delivered coffee and food to the men of his regiment.
The Ohio Battlefield Commission was appointed by George K. Nash Governor of Ohio on June 11, 1902. The commission “was charged with the duty of erecting suitable monuments to mark the positions of Ohio troops on the battlefield of Antietam, Maryland, and to mark the place where Commissary Sergeant William McKinley issued rations to his regiment on the firing line on the evening of that memorable battle, September 17th, 1962.” Before the commission was appointed, a General Act had to be passed on May 12th. The Act, “Authorized the appointment of a
The event as described by the Oil City Derrick newspaper, as a “Notable Gathering” , featured many distinguished guests. These guests included, General Ian Hamilton, Sir Kay Muir, Secretary of War Robert Shaw, and Governor George Nash of Ohio. Many veterans of the war and local population were also in attendance. On September 3rd, 1903 Governor Nash of Ohio sent a letter to President Theodore Roosevelt asking him to attend the dedication ceremony. The Battlefield Commission also sent a cordial invitation to the President inviting him to the dedication ceremony. On September 9th, 1903 President Roosevelt sent this reply to the