with a bachelor's degree in 1861. That same year the Civil War broke out and Dawes immediately enlisted in the 53rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he was a First Lieutenant. While an infantryman Dawes participated in a number of the costliest battles of the Civil War. The Fifty-third Ohio Regiment began to recruit at Camp Diamond, Jackson, Ohio, in early September, 1861, and was not completely organized until February, 1862. Dawes's regimental commander was Colonel Jesse J. Appler. Dawes found his commander to be of little education, yet intelligent, but lacking in military experience and knowledge of army regulations. On February 16, Dawes, with the 53rd, departed Portsmouth, Ohio on a steamboat for Paducah, Kentucky, arriving there on February 23, and was assigned to the 3rd brigade in General Sherman's division. Battle of Shiloh Dawes was present at the Battle of Shiloh, April 6–7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee which was the most costly battle of the Civil War up to that point. Dawes and the 53rd Ohio Infantry served with distinction, managing to keep well ordered during the otherwise chaotic battle. The 53rd was the vanguard of Sherman's line. Dawes accompanied by Captain Jones, Lieutenant Starkey were positioned on the ground in front of Company A. General Sherman, with his spyglass, was looking along the extent of the line the Confederate regiment as they marched across Rea field. Dawes observed a group of mounted Confederate officers, bearing a dark blue flag with a white center, that of General Patrick R.Cleburne, who was considered the "Stonewall of the West". He later wrote an eye witness account of the battle as he saw it in an 1896 historical publication called Sketches of War History, 1861–1865, vol 4, entitled My First Day Under Fire at Shiloh, which he presented to the Cincinnati Chapter of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. During the battle Dawes witnessed Appler lose his nerve when the fighting became intense when Appler cried out, "retreat, and save yourselves!" even though his men were winning the engagement, where several companies turned in earnest retreat. Appalled and shaken and finding Appler at the front of a great battle, Dawes, risking repercussions, cursed him and flatly exclaimed to Appler, "Colonel, I will not do it!", where Apper spang to his feet and ran away. Many of the troops subsequently retreated, but upon the arrival of General John McClernand, he ordered