New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-22

permission to join General Thomas, saying he
knew by the sound of the firing that Thomas
still held his ground. Rosecrans consented, and
Garfield, taking Captain Cav, who was familiar
with the country and two orerlies started in the
language Of Napoleon, Sin the direction of the
heaviest firing" Thomas was at least three
miles away. To avoid the Confederates wide
detOur was necessary, making a ride Of eight
miles through tangled forests cotton fields and
open roads, filed with the enemy's sharpshOOt-
ers. Every moment was a peril. Garfeld's
horse was shot twice, but not fatally, and both
0rderlies were killed. Captain Gaw's horse was
also wounded. Once while speeding along an
open road they plunged into Il rebel ambus-
cade where the bullets fell like hail around
1 them. This drove them to the fields and noun
tain side, but still Garfield pressed on in the
direction of the firing, finally reaching Thomas
entirely alone. His information about the
disaster and his counsel were a reinforcement
as important as a whole division of men.
Soon after his arrival, Longstreet attacked
Thomas with great fury, but Garield's infor-
nation, coupled with the timely arrival of re-
Inducements under General Gordon Granger,
enabled Thomas TO repulse him, and save the
day. LOngstreet's fire was kept up furiously
for half an hour and during al of it Garfield
sat coOlly upon the ground behind dead tree
with the bullets whistlng about him, while
he indited dispatch to General Rosecrans, in
forming him of the situation. While he sat
there, a white dove, after lowering about in
the air for a time, settled on the top of the
tree above his head. When the firing ceased
the dove flew away. General Wood called
General Garield's attention to the bird, saying
it was good omen of peace" but Garfield
said nothing. In his report of the battle, Cen
eral Rosecrans said: "ro Brigadier-G eneral
Garfield, Chief of STAFF, am especially in
debted for the clear and ready manner in
which he seized the point of action and move
ment, and expressed in orders the ideas of the
General commanding" fortnight later the
War Department showed its appreciation by
commissioning him Major G eneral for gallant
and meritorious conduct at the battle OF Chick
amauga."
On the anniversary of this memorable battle.
he ended another equally brave and fearless
fight. In the one he won fame and military
honor. In the other he won a lasting place in
the hearts of his countrymen, and high posi-
ton among the greatest names Of the world.
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SO little of complaint or repining was heard from
the sick bed of the late President. heroic his
persistent cheerfulnesS. that the impression grew
general that h6 suffered very little and that he was
not aware of the gravity OF bis condition This was
error and is calculated TO detract from the true
grandeur of the example which this great man has
left in his death His su1erBgs terrible
and almost constant. In one OF the last dreadful
I days at Eiberon spasm of pain seized him when
his vile present. He tried to conceal his agony
from her Int she observed he was suffering and
asked. What hurts you, dear~ lie reDled, " Il
hurts only TO lIvc lie was courteous and cheerful
10 all about him, after all hope of recovery
had gone from Tim. Talking on the last day with
Colonel Rockwell, knowing hs end was near and
i wondering, IN his manly humility, whether he han
done enough to be remembered. he said. Rock
well. fully realize my situation" and then after
q long silence said with pathetic intensity. " Do
YOU think my name wall have a place in human
history2' To which his friend answered " Yes a
grand one, but a srander place in human hearts "
Even before the flight to Elberon he knew that he
would not live, and YET he hcartened and chccred
every one around his bedside with his own indomt-
able courage But he dId not attempt to deceive
himself. When, one occasion, he wheeled
on his bed from his own room across the hall
Colonel Rockwell said You have made this short
journey well that you easily attempt longer
one" yes" he replied. I" 1t can easily expand
into the long. long journey home"
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