Lt. Colonel  William H. Squires helped organize the local militia, the 'Cowling Videttes,' as they were called in Madison County in June 1861. He was elected the first captain of what became known as Company K, the final company to muster in the regiment. As noted in the newspaper article below, he served admirably, most notably, leading the regiment in its first major battle, the Battle of Stones River, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Dec. 31, 1862 to January 3, 1863. He assumed regiment command when Colonel Fyffe had to be sent home due to increasing disability. The regiment's contribution in holding the Union Center, the key position in that battle, cannot be overstated. Simply put, with the collapse of the Union right, if the center has not held, very likely the Union Army of the Cumberland would have faced disaster.                                                             

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                                                             DEATH OF COL. W. H. SQUIRES
 

"Our esteemed fellow citizen, Col. William H. Squires, died at his residence in this place about 12 o'clock on last Saturday night after a lingering and very painful illness. His death was not unlooked for by his friends neither was it unwelcome to himself. His intense suffering for the past three or four years from inflammatory rheumatism, contracted while he was in the army, made life a burden, although he bore his affliction with uncomplaining patience and the fortitude of a genuine Christian.

Col. Squires was, we believe, born in Bainbridge, Ross county, Ohio, and removed to this place some 38 years ago, where he has since resided save at intervals of a few years. He was elected by the Whigs, Sheriff of this county in 1849 or '50, which office he held for a while and resigned, shortly after which he removed to Dayton, and engaged in keeping a hotel. While residing there, he was nominated as a candidate for Sheriff of Montgomery county and was only beaten by a few votes.

Col. Squires enlisted in the army in 1862 and was chosen Captain of Co. K, 26th O.V.I. He served faithfully for 4 years, notwithstanding his advanced age and broken health. He was a courageous officer, and did his duty nobly at Stone River and other bloody battles, and for gallant services was promoted to the rank of Major of the Regiment, and afterwards advanced to Lieut. Colonel.

Col. Squires was sixty years of age on last Christmas day, and has been for several years past a respected and influential member of the Methodist church. He leaves a widow, also a son and daughter, both married.
At his own request, a few days previous to him breathing his last, he was buried in a plain walnut coffin, with as little pomp and parade as possible."

Madison County Democrat, January 20, 1870