A
GARFIELD AUTOBIOGRAPHY DETAILING HIS CIVIL WAR MILITARY SERVICE
JAMES
A. GARFIELD. Partly
Printed Autograph Manuscript Signed in the text, no place, no date [ca.
July or August 1863]. 1 page, 12½" x 8".
A
remarkable autobiographical statement by James Garfield, highlighting
his Civil War military service. The future President gave up
a teaching career to join the Union army in the first year of the war.
He would rise to become a major general before leaving the service to
take up a long career representing Ohio in Congress.
This
sheet contains a printed form sent out by the Philadelphia publisher
George W. Childs on 20 July 1863. The form explains that Childs is preparing
“with great care, by an eminent author, a work embracing The Life
and Services of the Generals of the Army, Illustrated with fine Steel
Portraits, and...would esteem it a favor if you would allow some friend
or member of your staff to fill up the following blanks.”
Garfield
himself completed this form, which asks first for his name. He has written
out, “James Abram Garfield,” a very rare instance
of his penning his full name, near the top of the document, and this
signature is large and clear.
Asked
when and where born, he states, “Orange, Cuyahoga Co[unty].
O[hio]. Nov. 19, 1832.” Asked next about his education, Garfield
notes that he graduated from “Williams College, Mass. Aug.
1856.”
Then,
as to the date he entered the army and his present commission, Garfield
states, “Appointed Lt Col of Ohio Vols. Aug 12, 1861. Promoted
to Colonelcy 42nd O.V.I. [Ohio Volunteer Infantry] Sep 5, 1861 Appointed
Brig Gen Vols. January 11th 1862.”
The form
asks for a list of battles “in which you have participated, and
any facts or particulars regarding the same.” Garfield has written
out a lengthy response, using the third person to describe his exploits.
Not surprisingly, he begins with the engagement that led to his promotion
to brigadier general:
“He
reached mouth Big Sandy – Ky. Dec 22nd / 62 [1861] Jan. 8 / 63
[1862]. Drove rebel Cav. from Paintville Ky with a loss of 25 Killed
& wounded – Drove Humphrey Marshal from his intrenched camp
– pursued him & Jan 10th fought him at Middle Creek –
with 1700 Inf. against his 4500 Inf. & Cav. & two Batteries.
routed him with a loss of 250 Killed wounded & prisoner –
losing but 30 men.” Garfield’s victory over Confederate
General Humphrey Marshall secured the Union’s control of eastern
Kentucky.
Garfield
continues, “March 16, 1862 drove 500 rebels from entrenched
camp at Pound Gap – 40 miles south of Piketon Ky – after
sharp fight – & burned camp & stores – Comnded 20th
Brigade Army of the Ohio – at the Battle of Shiloh – &
taking of Corinth – In Aug. 62 was assigned to command of forces
at Cumberland Gap – but sickness prevented his assuming the position.
Was ordered to Washington as member of Court Martial for the trial of
Maj Gen Fitz John Porter. In Jan 63, chosen Chief of Staff to Maj Gen
Rosecrans, Dept Cumberland where he has served ever since – In
Oct 1862, was elected without solicitation to represent 19th Cong. Dist
of Ohio in next Congress.”
Garfield
names a source for obtaining his portrait, and then finally, asked for
individuals who could provide accurate information of his life and services,
he lists, “Prof J. H. Rhodes; and Miss A. A. Booth, Eclectic
Institute, Hiram Portage Co[unty] O[hio].” Garfield had studied
at the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute before enrolling at Williams
College, and he returned there following his graduation to teach and
then to serve as president of the school.
Garfield
probably completed this form in July or August 1863, as he does not
note the events of September, when he participated in the battle of
Chickamauga. His actions there helped win him a promotion to major general.
In December 1863, Garfield resigned from the army in order to take his
seat in Congress.
The document
has some marginal fold breaks but is in very good condition overall.
Garfield’s
Civil War-date autographs are scarce, and this is a fine one, outlining
almost all of his war-time military service. $6500.00
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