Today in Wheeling History: September 5–John W. Holliday enlisted in the Union Army, marking the beginning of his distinguished military career in which the Wheeling native rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and commanded the 15th Regiment, West Virginia Infantry, despite suffering severe injuries and illness during the Civil War (1861).
John W. Holliday was born in Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia) on January 30, 1840. He joined the Union war effort on September 5, 1861, enlisting as a sergeant in Company G, 2nd Ohio Infantry Volunteers. Holliday's military career was marked by his bravery and dedication. He was promoted to Lieutenant and transferred to the Virginia Infantry Volunteers, where he was made first adjutant and later promoted to Lieutenant Colonel Commanding the 15th Regiment, West Virginia Infantry. Holliday served with distinction until he mustered out on June 14, 1865, at Richmond, Virginia.
During the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864, Holliday was severely injured, suffering from head and heart injuries inflicted by a rebel soldier. He also contracted typhoid fever, which led to chronic bronchial lung trouble. After the war, Holliday moved to Steubenville, Ohio, where he worked as a nailer at the Jefferson Iron Works and became active in the Republican Party. He passed away on November 27, 1882, from "nailer's consumption," exacerbated by his wartime injuries. In his honor, his comrades in the Grand Army of the Republic named their post the J.W. Holliday Post No. 12 in Wheeling.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/aSaby)
Photo credits: Ohio Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
John W. Holliday was born in Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia) on January 30, 1840. He joined the Union war effort on September 5, 1861, enlisting as a sergeant in Company G, 2nd Ohio Infantry Volunteers. Holliday's military career was marked by his bravery and dedication. He was promoted to Lieutenant and transferred to the Virginia Infantry Volunteers, where he was made first adjutant and later promoted to Lieutenant Colonel Commanding the 15th Regiment, West Virginia Infantry. Holliday served with distinction until he mustered out on June 14, 1865, at Richmond, Virginia.
During the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864, Holliday was severely injured, suffering from head and heart injuries inflicted by a rebel soldier. He also contracted typhoid fever, which led to chronic bronchial lung trouble. After the war, Holliday moved to Steubenville, Ohio, where he worked as a nailer at the Jefferson Iron Works and became active in the Republican Party. He passed away on November 27, 1882, from "nailer's consumption," exacerbated by his wartime injuries. In his honor, his comrades in the Grand Army of the Republic named their post the J.W. Holliday Post No. 12 in Wheeling.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/aSaby)
Photo credits: Ohio Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
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