Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-09-09

spired everybody connected with it with
something of his own zeal and enthu-
siasm. At the same time he studied law
and was an omniyorous reader of general
literature.
His place in life seemed now won, and
he married the object of his youthful
love-Lucretia Rudolph, a farmers
daughter, who had been his FELLOWSHIP
dent at the academy. Miss Rudolph
was refined, intelligent, afectionate
girl, who shared his thirst for knowl
edge and his ambition for culture, and
had, at the same time, the domestic
tastes and talents which fitted her
equally to preside over the home of the
poor college professor and that of the
famous statesman. Much OF Garfield's
subsequent success in life may be attrib-
uted to his fortunate marriage. His
wife has grown with his growth, and has
been, during all his career. the appre-
ciative companion of his studies, the
loving mother of his children, the grace
full, hospitable hostess of his friends and
guests, and the wise and faithful help
meet in the trials, vicissitudes and sue
coSS6S OF his DuSy lie.
LEGISLATURE AND ARMY.
In 1859 Garfield was elected to the
Senate of Ohio from the Counties of
Portage and Summit He had taken
part in the political campaigns OF 1857
and 1858, and had become pretty well
known as a vigorous, logical stump
orator. He did not think few weeks
in the Winter at Columbus would break
in seriously upon his college work, to
which he was devoted. 1t is probable,
however, that he already felt the
promptings of political ambition, which
he did not even acknowledge to him
self. His most intimate friend in the
Senate was J. d. Cox, who afterward
became Major General and Governor
of the State. During the session of
1060-'6l Garfield was Enthusiastically
active and vigorous In aiding to prepare
the State to stand by the General Gov
eminent in opposition to the rising
storm of rebellion. When the storm
burst he determined to drop everything
ana enter the army. A company was
raised at Hiram composed exclusively
of the students of his College, and was
attached to the 42d Ohio Infantry. At
that time the Ohio Regiments when
organized elected their field officers by
ballot. Garfield was chosen Colonel,
and the regiment took the field in East
ern Kentucky in December, 1861.
Colonel Garfield was assigned to the
command of the 18th Brigade, and was
ordered by General Buell. to drive
Humphrey Marshall out of the Sandy
Valley. Thus citizen soldier who had
never seen battle was entrusted with
the serious task of defeating a force
outnumbering his by nearly two to one,
and commanded by man who had led
the famous charge of the Kentucky
Volunteers at Buena Vista. By forced
night march he reached MarshalPs
position near Prestonburg at daybreak
fell upon him with impetuosity, and
after sharp fight forced him to burn
his baggage and retreat into Virginia.
The Rebels left small force i'll Pound
Gap, which they fortified and held as a
point of observation. On the 18th of
March Colonel Garfield started with
500 infantry and 200 cavalry to dislodge
this force. A severe march of ten days
brought his men to the gap. He sent
his cavalry along the main road to at
tract the enemy's attention while he
scrambled over the rocks and through
the woods with his infantry, and
reached the outskirts of the Rebel
camp unobserved. A few volleys scat
tered them in full retreat.
These operations cleared Eastern
Kentucky and stopped the flank move
ment which was disturbing Buell's plan.
1t was of much greater military i'm
portance than the number of troops in
it indicated. Garfield was rewarded for
his victory with the rank of Brigadier-
General. and was ordered to join Buell. s
army which was then on its way to rein
force Grant at Pittsburg Landing. In
command of the Twentieth Brigade
he reached the battlefield in the second
day of the engagement. His brigade
next took part in the tedious siege of
Corinth. In August ill-health compelled
him to leave the field for time and he
was made member of the court-martial
for the trial of Fitz John Porter. In
January, 1868, he was made Chief OF
Staff of the Army of the Cumberland
and became the intimate friend and ad-
wiser of it's commander, General Rose
cranz At the battle of Chickamauga
ne wrote every order save one, submit
ting each to General Rosecranz for
approval or change. That one was the
fatal order to General Wood, which lost
the day. The words did not clearly
convey the meaning of the commanding
general. Wood misinterpreted them,
and the result was the opening of the
gap in the main lines through which
the Rebels poured, fanking and des-
troyiDg Rosecranz's right wing. Gen
eral Garfield was made Major General
for his conduct at Chickamauga.
ELECTED TO CONGRESS.
In the Summer of 1862, when every
body supposed the war was going to
end in a few months, a number of
officers who had gained distinction in
the field were taken up at home and
elected to Congress. Among them was
General Garfield, who was nominated
by the Republicans of Joshua r. Gid
dings' old district, while with his brig
ade in Kentucky. He had no knowl-
edge of any such movement in his
behalf, and when he accepted the nom
nation he did so in the belief that the
Rebellion would be subdued before he
would be called upon to take his seat
IN the House, in December, 1868. His
nomination was partly the result of his
military fame and partly of a desire on