The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-07-16
soLpIER REMINlscENCEs.
General GARFIELD and the Germans In Il

From the Chicago Intsr, Ocean, June %,
Many Of my old comrades Of the former
Army Of the Cumberland willremember
General Garfield. the nominee Of the Re.
publican party for the Presidency who be.
came chief OF staff to General Rosecranz,
after the gallant Colonel GarresCke, Of st.
Louis, had been killed by cannon ball
in the sanguinary battle Of Stone river,
December 3lst, 1862. Those who had, as
It was my fortune, the opportunity to
visit army headquarters quite frequently
on official business, will remember Gen.
eral Garfield as an affable and obliging Of.
fcer, always ready to assist, and never
showing that haughtiness toward interiors
that characterized so many otherwise ex.
cellent officers. Sometimes he would adj
dress an officer or a soldier In the German
language, which he speaks quite well, II
he knew the addressed was q German.
held at that time the position Of A. A.
A. g., second brigade, Sheridan's division,
which was then encamped about three
miles from Murfreesboro, on the Shelby.
vile pike. One day the mail brought sew
eral letters to members OF my company,
containing the news that my brother, who
had lost his leg at the battle OF Perryville,
KY, was lying at the point OF death in q
hospital at St. Louis, having been given
up by the surgeon in charge. This was
terrible news 70 me. He was my only and
younger brother. Mother and sisters were
yet in Germany; and was hundreds OF
miles away from him, unable 70 be with
him in his last moments. There was no
prospect OF an advance Of the army at that
time, and my brigade commander advised
me to apply Immediately for leave Of
absence, and gave me permission TO carry
the paper forward myself. Strongly en-.
dorsed by him, Gen. Sheridan gave my
application a splendid recommendation,
but cur temporary corps commander, Gen.
r. W. johnson, abruptly ordered It's dis.
approval. Returning sadly TO my quar-
tiers, General Sheridan called me. Ihand-
ed him the application; he looked at 1t
moment, then he said: Garry II TO Ro Sc.
cranz's headquarters; tell him sent you'll"
saluted, turned, and in moment was |
on my wav to town at full gallop.
Arrived at headquarters, met General |
Garfield, handed him the application, and |
told him that General Sheridan had sent |
me. He glanced over it. "That is bad,
Captain, the disapproyal OF your corps
commander makes itimpossible for me to
grant your application" l told him in as
few words as possible the circumstances.
lie looked at me for moment full In the
face, his features became milder and ex.
pressed his sympathy, then he said:
"Come with me to the general command.
ing" We entered another room. Gen.
eral Rosecranz was writing. A moment
after he arose and General Garfield handed
him my application, with the remark:
General, 1 recommend this paper to
your kindness" RosecranZ noticed the
"disapproval." l had TO tell him the story;
then he asked:
"You acted as adjutaut- general to Col.
Schaefer's brigade at Stone riyer?'
Eyes, General"
"You belong to the Second Missouri"
ayes, General"
Brave regiment. General Garfield,
the application Of the captain is granted
A few minutes later General Garfield
handed me my leave, shaking my hand
warmly, and expressing his hope that
might find my brother alive. Two days
after | arrived at St. Louis. The Joy OF
seeing me again, and good nourishment
had wonderful effect upon my brother,
so that at the end OF my leave OF absence
he was out OF danger. BE lives now near
Nashville, Tennessee, and Is the bead OF
large family.
Some time later the German Glee Club
OF the second brigade, Sheridan's Division,
composed mostly OF former members Of
gIee clubs in st. Louis and Chicago, took
occasion TO ssrenAde Gen. Rosecranz at
his headqGsrters at &arireesbOro. After
the last sounds had died away we extin.
guished the lights and were ready TO Ie'
turn to our camp, when somebody stepp' |
ed out from the building upon the veran'
da and invited US in General Rosecranz's
name, In y very nice little German speech,
TO come in and spend short time with
the commanding general It was General
Garfield who answered our German songs
with remarks in the same language. We
accepted the invitation, General Rosecranz
shook hands with all Of US, and then in
troduced to Us his brother, the late Bishop
Rosecranz, Of Columbus, Ohio, who ex.
pressed his surprise to hear such good
singing In the field. During our stay at
headquarters, General Garfield spoke to
most OF the visitors, the majority OF whom
we're private soldiers. At Chicamaugs
more than half the members Of that club
fell TO rise no more; but to their surviving
some OF whom are to day re.
siding 10 this city, that evening and Gen.
eral Garfield will eyer be remembered.