CHAPTER XI.

THE EVENTFUL YEAR OF 1861.

ADMISSION TO THE BAR. WITHDRAWS FROM MINISTERIAL WORK. OPPOSITION TO SLAVERY.-LEADERSHIP IN THE STATE SENATE. THE GOVERNOR'S ASSISTANT. - PROVIDING FOR THE TROOPS. — THE REGIMENT OF HIRAM STUDENTS. DEPLETION OF THE CLASSES. APPOINTMENT AS LIEUTENANT-COLONEL. PROMOTION. DEPAR TURE FOR THE FIELD. CONSULTATION WITH GENERAL BUEL.PLAN OF A CAMPAIGN. MARCH AGAINST MARSHALL. -BATTLE OF PRESTONBURG. —THE ACCOUNT OF F. H. MASON. - PROMOTION.

THE eventful year of 1861 found Mr. Garfield, at its opening, ready to enter upon the practice of law, so far as a knowledge of its principles was concerned. But the announcement of his admission to the bar, at Cleveland, was a surprise to nearly all his acquaintances, and completely dashed the hopes of the anxious members of his denomination, who were hoping and praying for his active entry into the profession of the ministry. Occasionally he took a part in the services, on special occasions, such as Sabbath-school conventions, yearly meetings of the churches, or at dedications; but thinking that the belief, so prevalent then, that politics and religion were at variance, would injure his influence for good, he wisely withdrew from any active participation as a preacher or teacher in church services. He did not enter the

practice of law at once after his admission to the bar, as he was actively engaged in the State Senate; and it appears that he was hesitating between opening an office in Cleveland and remaining as a teacher at Hiram, when the war broke out.

His studies and public duties had called his attention so much to the institutions of the nation, and his natural disposition was so inclined toward a sym

pathy with the oppressed, that his heart was fired with an almost uncontrollable patriotic fervor, at the first news of the purposed rebellion.

As early as January, 1861, he stood up in his place in the Ohio Senate and declared it to be his unalterable determination to oppose the institution of slavery, or any compromise with it. It was a heinous national sin, and he would not condescend to negoti

ate with it. Senators Monroe and Cox stood with him then, and later, Senators Morse, Glass, Buck, Parish and Smith voted with him. When the constitutional amendment was submitted to the Ohio Legislature, which would guarantee to the slave States the perpetuity of slavery, he led the uncompromising minority, and with a remarkable display of ability, opposed, with pointed speeches and his vote, every measure or resolution which could be construed into a concession to the party in favor of human bondage. He was in earnest. He had a ready command of language. He knew the laws and their purpose. He had been bred to hate every form of meanness, unkindness, and oppression. Hence, his speeches were eloquent, thoughtful, and sincere. He seemed to care nothing for popularity, and expected only to do his duty while there, and retire with a clear conscience to private life, when his term of office should close.

But the earthquake of the rebellion overturned many plans, and sent confusion and alarm into every household in the nation. While he was yet in the Senate, the attack on Fort Sumter, and the battle of Bull Run added dismay to the already over-excited public mind. Mr. Garfield, from the first, declared his intention of going to the war, should it last more than the "ninety days," and the regular militia of the State prove insufficient.

At the adjournment of the Legislature, he offered his services to Governor Dennison, to assist him in the difficult task of organizing and providing supplies

for the troops, then flocking toward the camps. In the multiplicity of duties, and the incessant annoyances which perplexed and harassed Governor Dennison, he appears to have overlooked Mr. Garfield's ability and patriotism, and to have repeatedly promoted to high office, men of much inferior ability, because, in some way, they were placed prominently before the Governor's attention. Mr. Garfield would never ask for an office, and worked diligently on in his unofficial relation to the Governor for some weeks, going hither and thither for arms, clothing, ammunition, and provisions, never appearing to have had a thought that, amid all these army promotions and profitable stations, he might have secured a valuable office for himself. If a high official position had been offered him in the army, he would have refused it, with his usual excuse that he did not feel competent to undertake it.

But when the news came to the Governor that the students of Hiram College, over which Mr. Garfield was still the official head, purposed to organize a regiment, it at last occurred to him that Mr. Garfield could possibly be spared in such an emergency, and he asked the latter to recruit and organize it.

Mr. Garfield would not at first take the office of colonel, saying that he should need some military training before he could handle a regiment. He seems to have forgotten that his less able colleagues in the Legislature had taken commissions as brigadier-generals, without the slightest hesitation. So he was appointed, August 14, 1861, a lieutenant

colonel, and entered upon the task of organizing his command.

One of the first meetings for raising volunteers for his regiment was held at Hiram, and the enthusiasm was intense. The institution was almost wholly depleted of its male students by the spontaneous enlistment of the scholars. Graduates of the school came from distant counties, and even from other States, moved by the popularity of Mr. Garfield, and the great enthusiasm of that early period of the war. Although the regiment was filled almost immediately, there were many delays, caused by the difficulty of securing arms and uniforms, and it did not leave for the South until September 14th. Meantime, the pressure upon the Governor, on the part of the regiment and its friends, for the promotion of Mr. Garfield to the head of the regiment, was so unanimous and persistent that both the Governor and Mr. Garfield were compelled to submit to the demand.

September 18th, Colonel Garfield's regiment, the 42d Ohio, arrived at Cattletsburg, Kentucky, which is close to the border of both Ohio and Virginia, the two rivers at the junction of which it was situated being the boundaries of the three States. Colonel Garfield was ordered to report, in person, to General. Buel, at Louisville.

General Buel was a native of Ohio, as were also Generals Grant, Sherman, McPherson, Sheridan, McClellan, Rosecrans, Mitchel, Gilmore, McDowell, Schenck, Custer, Hazen, Cox, Steadman, Weitzel,