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McElhaney's Feat He has the distinction of being the only Civil war veteran in Gallia county possessing a medal for capturing a rebel battle flag. Mr. McElhaney, who is visiting his daughter, Mrs. C.R. Deardorff, 351 King avenue, during the encampment, enlisted in Company A, Second West Virginia cavalry, in October 1862, at the age of 15, and served three years and three months. At the Battle of Five Forks at Hatcher's Run, his regiment went into action and in a scrimmage McElhaney was fortunate enough to wrest a rebel battle flag from the color bearer and bore it back in safety to the Union lines. In May, 1865, while encamped near Washington, he was presented with a bronze medal bearing this inscription: Accompanying this was the following letter, the original of which has been carefully preserved: "War Department, Adjutant General's Office, May 3, 1865: Sir: The enclosed medal of honor has been awarded you by the secretary of war under the resolution of congress approved July 12, 1862, to provide for the presentation of medals of honor to enlisted men of the army and volunteer forces who have distinguished or may distinguish themselves in battle during the present rebellion. Very respectfully, Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War." |