James A. Garfield
Washington, D.C., December 14, 1863
Garfield ALS Made "Maj. Gen...for gallant and meritorious service in the Battle of Chattanooga"
ALS

An autograph letter signed by future president James Garfield concerning his service at the Battle of Chattanooga, Washington, D.C., dated December 14, 1863. Signed "J.A. Garfield" and addressed to Charles Lanman, Librarian of the House of Representatives. Garfield writes to Lanman in order to update his Congressional biographical record to include his appointment as Major General. Accompanied by an engraving of Garfield by J. R. Rice, Philadelphia. The letter has flattened mail folds and faint, scattered foxing. Mounting residue to verso of letter. 1p of a bifolium, measuring 5" x 8", Boldly signed.

In full:
"In getting out your Dictionary of Congress, you asked me for a Biographical sketch, some months ago, which I furnished. Since that time I was appointed Major General of Vols., which in the language of the letter of appointment, was 'for gallant and meritorious service in the Battle of Chattanooga Geo. to take date from Sept. 19, 1863'."

James Garfield, despite having no military training, eagerly joined the Union Army due to his view of the war as a holy crusade against Slave Power. However, at the request of Ohio Governor William Dennison, Garfield deferred his military ambitions to remain in the legislature, where he helped appropriate the funds to raise and equip Ohio's volunteer regiments. In August 1861, he finally received a commission as a colonel in the 42nd Ohio Infantry regiment, and that December, joined the Army of the Ohio under Brigadier General Don Carlos Buell. Under Buell's command, Garfield served at the Battles of Middle Creek, Shiloh, the Siege of Corinth, the Tullahoma Campaign, and Chickamauga.

At the Battle of Chickamauga on September 19 and 20, 1863, miscommunication among the wing commanders over General Rosecrans's orders created a gap in the lines, resulting in a rout of the army's right flank. Rosecrans concluded that the battle was lost and fell back on Chattanooga to establish a defensive line. Garfield, however, believed that part of the army had held and, with Rosecrans's approval, headed across Missionary Ridge to survey the scene. Garfield's hunch was correct and he sent a telegram to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton for reinforcements to avoid annihilation. Lincoln and Major General Halleck responded by sending 20,000 troops to Garfield by rail within nine days. For his role in the saving the army from destruction, Garfield was ordered to Washington, where he was promoted to major general.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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5" x 8"