New-York tribune., 1880-06-20
THE REPUBLICAN LEADER.
GENERAI. GARFIELD I'm THE WAR.

have been expected. His moderation, his canGor.
his evident sincerity and earnestness ana
his conciliatOry and polite utteranees are
not new to the style aud manner or the
man. He has distinguished himself in the
display of the same argumentative and diplomatic
qualities on more than one occasion. In fact, Cen
eral Garfied's military record is that OF one VINO
was at once warrior and statesman. equally brave
IN the field and sagacious in cOunseis affecting the
policy, if not the military conduct. of the war.
One Of the first incidents of his military career
10 bring him into general notice was not feat OF
war, but of Argument. In January, 1868, he
became the Chief of Staff to MajoI-Gcneral William
S. Rosecrans then in command Of the Army of the
Cumberland. How he came to be selected
by Rosecrans the present writer does not remem-
ber but it was soon after the battle of Stone River,
in which the former chief was killed. Garfield was
looked upon as about the only mature member of
the staff. ROsecrans having a partiality for young
and gallant spirits like Captain Charles Thompson.
Major Bond, Colonel Mickler, Captain Hunter
Brooke, MAJOR Horace Porter, subsequently on
Grants staff, and Major Morton McOIichael.
Not that Garfield was much older than
these. but he had q mature look always,
and his mood was ever serious as il there was in
the Deril of the Nation something more OF personal
concern and personal interest to him than to most
in this capacity under ROsecrans that Clement G.
Yallandngham, OF Ohio, banished to the South for
his reasonable sentiments, was brought to Mur-
freeshoro Tenn, where the army lay, to be sent by
flag of truce into the rebel lines, a few
miles distant, at TullahOma When brought
into camp ValandInghlm was taken in the usual
course of business to Ro5ecranss headquarters, and
he and Garfield being acquaintance it was natural
that they should fall mtO c0nversatiOn and equally
natural that The conversation should be in regard
to the policy ami conduct Of the war in political
sense. The conversation was reported by c0rre-
spoudcnt Of The Cincinnati Gazette who was present,
and was copied into almost every paper OF the
country, both loyal and rebel. as fine
illustration of sound and argumentative views on
both sides The comments of the loyal papers were
highly complimentary to General Garfield and this
brought him nto particular notice. HIS last words
with Vaandingham on the next morning, just as the
latter was about to be escorted into the rebel lines,
at once finely illustrated Garields quckness and
ncatness at rcpartee and that familiarity his
part with Shakespeare without which no education
can re said to be complete. Vallandingham, on
his appearance In the room at 4 very early hour Of
the morning, with an affectatiOn Of unconcern and
ight-hcartcdncss which no could not have felt,
threw himself into tragic air. and in mock heroic
vein exclaimed, quoting from Romeo and Juliet:
Nights candles are burnt ont and Jocund day
Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops"
Here he hcsltated, when Garfield quickly but
quietly finished the speech by adding. in a half
aside, to tho ade-decamp in charge of the flag Of
truce escort waiting to convey Yalandingham to
the Rebel lines:
"E Unjust bcSonn and live. or stay and die"
Vallandngham, however, overheard and caught
the hidden meaning of the citation, and blusned
scarlet -, hc made Its application.
PATRIOTIC FORESIGHT.
Later on in the campaign of the Army OF the
Cumb raud against Bragg at Chattanooga. Garfield
again encountered prominent Southern gentleman
in argument as to the policy of the war. What Gar
field said was powerful plea In advance Of the
policy subsequently adopted of freeing and armlng
the slaves in tho South. THIS was published In the
Cincinnati Gazette about the last of August 1868,
and would liz we'll worth reproducing as an illusra.
ton Of the clear, forcibe and logical views Of the
then comparatively young politician on the great
questions OF the time. Like the Interview with VAL
laud ghlm the conversation was quoted all over
the North and served to bring Garfield into further
notice.
tn" FIRST martial achievement of Garfield which
attracted general attention was his conduct at
Chictamauga. on tie second day OF that battle,
September %. 1863. Ills conspicuous bravery on
that occasion won for him the rank of Major
General. A. Chief of staff it was Lis duty
20 remain with General Rosecrans and it
happened that tho latter had established his
headquarters for the day in the rear
Of tho right wing and centre, leaving General
George H. Thomas to look personally TO the direc.
tion Of the left wing. McCOok and Crittenden
were commanders Of the other two crops Soon
after the fog, which for the most of the morning
euvelopcd tho field and made manUIvrng almost
;u,uosciI,Io ho rAhnla uular 1 bO boI
come from Lees Virginia army to take part
in this great contest. made grand assault on
the right and centre. A division Of Cnttenden's
Corps was moving to the left at this junctnre, and
the zap In tho line had not been filed by other
troops when the attack was made. The Rebels
penetrated far to the Of the Union line at this
point. and turned and drove back the right OF
Thcmas's forces and the left Of'the other two corps
The lator were eventually routed driven
across u ridge Of hills to roads leading
into Chattanooga, toward which they re-
treated in dreadful disorder and panic. Thomas
however held his ground. Withdrawing his right
only attc. In the tumut OF the defeat of the righs
and centre. NcCOok. Crittendcn and Rosecrans,
with their staif officers, were driven beyond the
ridge named, and they too started for Chattanooga
net knowing how Thomas had Jared. Garfield
followed his commander about half way to Chatta-
nooea but refused to 90 any further and accom-
panied only by his orderly and Captain William B.
CAV. of the engineers. who offered to act rs
his guide. he rode through Rossville Gap in the
mountain range and pushed southwark again IN
searc'l of Ganeral Thomas, the firing of whose guns
indicating that there was brisk fight still going
ON, could be distinctly heard. Garfield on this oc-
casien literally followed the Napoleonic maxim for
the guidance Of his generals. March in the direc
tiOn of the heaviest firing"
At the time ho made this attempt the road by
which Garfield expected to reach General Thomas
WAS under cover of the sharpshOoters and advance
guards OF tho rebes, who were pushing forward to
secure possession of the road and thereby cut off
ThomaSs line of retreat. Garfield did not know Of
their presence there until admonished OFF by the
sharp fire of the enomy. The horses Of both Garfield
and Cav were shot at the first fire. and Garfeld's