Rutherford B. Hayes took part in the civil war. He had political connections, so he was put into the 23rd Ohio Volunteers as a major. In such a high ranking position, he had to quickly learn and quickly take order within the ranks. At the Battle of Opequon Creek, Hayes led the charge and helped change the tide of the war. Throughout his war history, he sustained five injuries. After showing his heroism and his hard work, he made his was up to brigadier general. He was nominated in Cincinatti for the U.S. House of Representatives, but refused to leave the war, stating that "an officer fit for duty who at this crisis would abandon his post to electioneer for a seat in Congress ought to be scalped."