From a letter written by James A. Garfield to Harry Rhodes 153 years ago today, on April 14, 1861 (just two days after Fort Sumter): The war has now fully begun. I am glad we are defeated at Sumter. It will rouse the people. I can see no possible end to the war till the South is subjugated. I hope we will never stop short of complete subjugation. Better lose a million men in battle than allow the government to be overthrown. The war will soon assume the shape of Slavery and Freedom. The world will so understand it, and I believe the final outcome will redound to the good of humanity. [Jacob D.] Cox and I have within the last two weeks talked seriously over the prospects of the country and the future of our own lives, and we have resolved that if it be necessary, in order to rouse our people, we will raise companies and go with them into the army. I have no heart to think of anything but the country. If there be any hope in government or the cause of humanity, then justice, religion and patriotism require that our people should stand by the Federal government in every emergency. In a very few days the curtain will be lifted and we shall see whither we are drifting. Garfield (left) and Cox (right) both went to the army, and both attained the rank of Major General. After the war, Jacob D. Cox served as Governor of Ohio and Secretary of the Interior under President Ulysses S. Grant. James A. Garfield left the army in late 1863 to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he remained until becoming the 20th President of the United States on March 4, 1881. However, 153 years ago today, when this letter was written, both Garfield and Cox were young men (29 and 32, respectively) worried for the future of their country and pondering what roles they would play in defending it.
Posted on: Mon, 14 Apr 2014 16:11:33 +0000
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