James Garfield 1880 Republican National Convention

garfield brigadier general during civil war

james garfield came chicago senator-elect ohio, had represented state in united states house since 1863. in 1859, republican, garfield elected ohio senate. following year, admitted ohio bar. served state senator until 1861, when enlisted in union army @ start of civil war. garfield assigned command 42nd ohio volunteer infantry, , had task of driving confederate forces out of eastern kentucky. garfield later led attack number of infantry regiments against confederate cavalry @ jenny s creek on january 6, 1862. confederates retreated, , leading men victory, garfield promoted rank of brigadier general in march 1862.

garfield later served under major general don carlos buell @ battle of shiloh , under thomas j. wood @ siege of corinth. garfield s health deteriorated , sent serve on commission investigate conduct of union general fitz john porter. in spring of 1863, garfield returned field chief of staff william s. rosecrans, commander of army of cumberland. after disastrous chickamauga campaign in september 1863, rosecrans relieved of command. garfield saved own reputation fighting bravely during battles, , subsequently promoted rank of major general. garfield s fame spread, , william dennison engineered garfield s 1863 election congress. whitelaw reid commented, garfield able , prominent of young politicians entered army @ outbreak of war. garfield did not want leave army, visited president abraham lincoln advice on matter. lincoln told garfield had more generals handle, , needed political support.

garfield succeeded in gaining re-election house seat every 2 years. in 1872, garfield faced charges receiving $329 in tainted money crédit mobilier of america corruption scandal. garfield repeatedly denied charges , hired william e. chandler defend him in front of congressional investigators. there not evidence against garfield, political career not affected. 4 years later, when james g. blaine moved house united states senate, garfield became republican floor leader of house. year, garfield served member of electoral commission awarded 20 hotly contested electoral votes rutherford b. hayes in contest presidency against samuel j. tilden. prior 1880 republican national convention, garfield had expressed blaine supporter. not until john sherman entered race garfield switched sides, , offered support ohio icicle .