Within a year after him and his two brothers, Allen & Anderon, enlisted, Amos Gillis was promoted twice, once to Corporal (8/25/61), and the again to Sergeant (10/19/61). A little more than a year later he was again promoted to 2nd lieutenant (12/26/62), then 1st lieutenant six months later (6/14/64). Just a short three weeks after that, he was promoted to captain of his infantry (7/1/64) (Civil War Database).

Amos was a true war hero for the Union. In the first battle immediately following his appointment of Captain, him along with others in his infantry were taking as prisoners of war. Amos escaped however, wandering, at night and resting during the day in order to escape re-capture, an inch away from starvation. He found a camp, assuming they were confederate rebels, and turned himself in, in order to avoid death. In a serendipitous turn of events, it was a union army, which rescued him and nursed him back to health (Mahoning Valley historical society 1867, 411).

In his last ever Battle, the battle of Berryville, on September 3rd, 1864, he lead his infantry into battle only to meet his demise. He took a shot to the heart, with his men around him. Captain Amos F Gillis’ last words before dying were “Boys, carry me back” (Mahoning Valley Historical Society 1867, 411). His remains were taken back to his home by his brother and buried beneath a monument commemorating him by the company that was lead.

The 23rd Ohio infantry that he served for was also famous for being accompanied by two future presidents; Rutherford B Hayes & William McKinley.