The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-10-21

9
s In the Army of the Cumberland nosone
will find it difficult to recognize as among its
leading spirits Gen. Rosecrans' Ghief-ofSStaff.
Brigadier-General j. A. Garfield The char
acter and extent of his influence are well,
known. 1t is universally acknowledged to be
beneticent as it is great. No one understand
ing the elements of his characteris is surprised
at this. Sterling honesty, unbending integri-
ty sound common sense, strong moral and re-
lIglous convictions and answering patriotism,
are his prominent characteristics.
Even the briefest sketch of his career pre-
sents much that is encouraging to young men,
who, in commencing life, resolve to hold hon.
or above temporary advantage, and duty
abeve selfish pleasure 49,
He was born. in Orange. Cuyahoga county,
Ohio, on the 18th November, 1882, of. pa
rents from whom he inherited the qualities of
an excellent ancestry; his father belonging to
an old and respectable Massachusetts, family,
and his mother being blood relative of Rev.
Hosea Ballou, the eminent Universalist.
The future Brigadier and Congressman be-
gan the active duties of life in humble
sphere, working first upon farm and after
ward learning the trade of acarpenter. There
are many VINO will still remember him as
boatman upon the Ohio and Pennsylvania ca
nal, in 1849. s
In whateverhe engaged, however he must
have manifested industry, tact and economy.
for, although receiving no pecuniary assist
ance from any one, We find him entering an g
academy in Gealga county, Ohio, early in the &
year of 1850. The same year he began to
teach and thus worked his way through
school, until, in 1853, he became member
of the Junior Class of Williams College,
Mass, and graduated in 1856 The follow
ing year he was chosen President of the
Eclectic Institute, Portage county, Ohio.
In 1859 he was elected State Senator from
the Senatorial District composed Of Summit
and Portage counties, and served in that ca
pacity two years.
At the breaking out of the wal, he threw
himself with his whole soul into the contest,
and on the 18th of May, 1861, received from
Governor Dennison commission as Lieuten-
ant-Colenel. On the 18th of September be
was promoted to a Golonelcy, and raised the
larger portion of the AID o. V. L, one compa-
ny being composed wholly of his students.
Leaving Camp Chase on the 18th of De-
cember, he was placed in command of four
regiments of infantry and FIVE hundred cav
airy, .atEthe head of which force he reached
Catlettsburg, at the mouth of the Big Sandy,
on the 22d of the same mouth. Moving at
once into Eastern Kentucky, he drove Hum
phrey Marshall's cavalry out of PaintsviHe
on the 5th of january, 1852, killing and
wounding twenty-five of them. On the same
night the fat rebel, alarmed at this display of
energy, abandoned his fortifcations back of
Paintsville, and fed. Garfield pursued at the.
head of 100 men, overlook the rebols at
Middle Creek, near Prestonburg, and COM
pletely defeated them with a loss of 800
killed and wounded, while the Union loss was
only 25. In a letter to his wife which was
found upon the field, Marshall acknowledged
his force to be I, 500 strong. Considering this
fact, and also that Garfield had no artillery,
the victory of Prestonburg must rank as one
of the finest achievements of the war.
Marching forward, Garfield took possession
of Piketon. On the 18th of March he
reached Pound Gap with 800 men, drove 500
rebels from that position and burnt their camp
and stores. This COMPLETED the liberation of
Eastern Kentucky, and, on the 2eth Of
March, he was ordered to join Gen. Buell.
Commissioned Brigadier-General about this
time, every one acknowledged the fitness Of
the appointment In the great conflict of