James Garfield & the Civil War

Daniel J. Vermilya's "James Garfield and the Civil War: For Ohio and the Union" offers a focused examination of a future president's military service during one of America's most defining conflicts. This work stands apart from traditional Garfield biographies by concentrating exclusively on his Civil War years, providing readers with a detailed account of how military service shaped the man who would eventually occupy the White House.

The book traces Garfield's transformation from a college professor and Ohio state senator into a Union Army officer. Vermilya begins with Garfield's initial commission as a lieutenant colonel in the 42nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry in 1861, documenting his rapid rise through military ranks. The narrative follows Garfield through multiple theaters of war, including his campaign in eastern Kentucky, his service at the Battle of Shiloh, and his role as chief of staff for the Army of the Cumberland under General William Rosecrans.

Vermilya demonstrates particular strength in analyzing Garfield's military leadership during the eastern Kentucky campaign of 1861-1862. The author details how Garfield, despite limited military training, successfully led his regiment against Confederate forces in the mountainous terrain of the region. The account of the Battle of Middle Creek in January 1862 receives careful attention, showing how this relatively small engagement boosted Union morale in the region and established Garfield's reputation as a capable military commander.

The book explores the complex relationship between Garfield's military service and his political ambitions. Vermilya illustrates how Garfield maintained connections with Ohio political circles even while serving in the field, and how his military achievements enhanced his political standing back home. This dual focus on military and political matters provides insight into the interconnected nature of warfare and politics during the Civil War era.

Vermilya's treatment of Garfield's time as chief of staff in the Army of the Cumberland proves particularly valuable. The author examines Garfield's role in the Tullahoma Campaign and his participation in the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863. The narrative includes Garfield's famous ride to Chattanooga to secure reinforcements during the battle, an act that would become part of his political legend. Vermilya approaches this episode with appropriate historical scrutiny, separating documented facts from later embellishments.

The author makes effective use of primary sources, including Garfield's own correspondence, military records, and contemporary accounts. These sources allow readers to understand Garfield's mindset during his military service and his evolving views on the war's purposes, particularly regarding slavery and emancipation. Vermilya shows how Garfield's positions on these issues developed through his firsthand experiences with the conflict.

One of the book's notable contributions lies in its examination of how Garfield's military experience influenced his later political career. Vermilya draws connections between decisions Garfield made as a soldier and positions he would later take as a congressman and president. This analysis adds depth to understanding Garfield's overall historical significance beyond his brief and tragic presidency.

The narrative maintains a steady pace throughout, balancing military details with broader context about the war's progress. Vermilya provides sufficient background information for readers who may not be deeply familiar with Civil War military operations, while still offering enough detail to satisfy those with greater knowledge of the period. The author's prose remains accessible without sacrificing historical rigor.

The book also addresses Garfield's departure from active military service in late 1863, when he resigned his commission to take his seat in the United States House of Representatives. Vermilya examines the circumstances surrounding this decision and what it reveals about Garfield's priorities and his assessment of where he could most effectively serve the Union cause.

For readers interested in Civil War military history, Ohio's role in the conflict, or the life of James Garfield, this book provides valuable focused scholarship. Vermilya's decision to concentrate on a specific period of Garfield's life allows for deeper exploration than would be possible in a comprehensive biography. The work succeeds in illuminating how military service during the Civil War functioned as a crucible for many men who would shape America's postwar political landscape.

"James Garfield and the Civil War" represents solid historical scholarship that contributes meaningfully to the existing literature on both the Civil War and the twentieth president of the United States. The book serves as a reminder that understanding the full scope of historical figures requires examining the formative experiences that shaped their characters and perspectives before they achieved their greatest fame.