The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-09-30
The Unexpected in Garfleld,s bic.

Colonel Rockwell is quoted as saying
that General Garfield once remarked that
the unexpected things in this life were
the things which were occurring to him.
Many men of strong viii and well de-
fined purpose have been impelled or
compelled to abandon plans matured
through years of consideration for 9th
ers sprung upon them at moments
warning.
When it was proposed in 1859 that
GARFIELD enter political life as a candidate
Tor the Legislature of Ohio, he declined,
because he did not want to enter the
house, but the Senate. The way TO the
SENATE was not open, because the Repub-
llcans OF the three counties composing
the district had agreed that the nomina-
ton should go to Mr.. Prentiss, vet
eran in the service. Garfield considered
the matter settled and went East to de-
liver the Masters Grafton at Williams
College. During his short absence Mr.,
Prentiss died, and, on his return, Gar
field was nominated for State Senator
and elected.
Scarcely had he entered upon his
career in the Senate when the war
broke out. he organized several regi-
ments, but refused to accept the Colo
nelcy of any, because he did not think
himself fit for such post. Finally he
agreed to become Lieutenant Colonel of
the Forty Second Regiment if Captain
HAZEL, of the regular army, was de-
tailed to act as Colonel. 1t was expected
that this arrangement could be made
without difficulty, but, much to the sur
prise of the Governor of the State, Gen
eral Scott refused to order the detail.
Thereupon the officers of the regiment
took the matter in hand in such way
that Garfield consented to take COM
mand
Scarcely was Garfield in the field when
General Buell. gave him command of a
brigade, and ordered him to attack Hum
phrey Marshall in Eastern Kentucky.
The man who so distrusted his own mill
tary capacity, and who had hoped for
time to gather knowledge, found himself
pitted at once against shrewd and ag
gressive rebel General. This was so en-
tirely unexpected as to startle Garfield
into what he afterward described as q
rash and imprudent mood. He was or
dered to drive Marshall out of Kentucky,
and he dashed forward and did it.
That made the hesitating Colonel
Brigadier General.
Later, Garfield wanted to go to South
Carolina with General Hunter, and
asked the President to send him there.
His plan was to go with Hunter to the
hot-bed of the rebellion, as much to
-, H., 10 10 10
openly exulted over his appointment,
when an unexpected thing changed all
his plans. In the battle of Stone River,
Garesche, General Rosecrans' Chief of
Staff, was killed. The appointment of
Garfield to South Carolina was revoked,
and he was selected to take the place of
Garesche as Rosecrans' Chief of Staff
He didn't want the place, but once at
work he liked it, and won such distinc-
ton that he was made Major General.
Rosecrans, Buell., and others, comph-
minted him as a strategist and organizer,
and his experience at Chicamauga con-
WINGED him that he had the sort of cour
age that sustains a soldier in times of
difficulty.
Garfeld's military career seemed in
| ta1r way to be rounded out III accordance
with his ambition when the Republicans
of Joshua r. Giddings' old district
nominated him for Congress- His first
knowledge of the movement in his favor
was the announcement of his nomina-
ton, and, after consultation with his
military friends, he accepted.
In the fullness of time he became the
leader of the House, and at his own re-
guest was transferred to the Senate.
Then, at Secretary Shelman's request,
he consented to become one of the Ohio
delegates to the Chicago Convention.
He went to the Convention the leader of
the Sherman faction of the Republican
party, and unexpectedly to even the
shrewdest politicians, was nominated for
President.
After his Inauguration there was prom
Use of the greatest harmony. There is
no doubt that the President expected
that there would be harmony, but there
was not. But after the fight was over
came another unexpected event. The
President was shot by an irresponsible
man who had no grievances.