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LOT #42165 |
Starting Bid: $5,000
James A. Garfield Autograph Letter Signed...
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Description
As the Union Army Prepares for Offensive Operations in 1863, James A. Garfield Reports On Strategy, Supply, and the Growing Crisis of Freedpeople in the War Zone
James A. Garfield Autograph Letter Signed ("J. A.
Garfield"). Six pages on one bifolium and one leaf, 7 3/4 x 9
3/4 inches; "H'd Qurs. Dept. Cumberland,"
Murfreesboro; April 12, 1863.Written while serving as Chief of Staff to General William S. Rosecrans to the Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P. Chase, Garfield describes the condition and preparation of the Army of Cumberland while outlining strategic movements and addresses the growing problem of displaced former enslaved people seeking refuge within Union lines. Garfield writes, in part:
"My Dear Secretary,
Yours of the 6th has just come to hand. I should have written you long ago, but the great amount of work we have had on hands for the last three weeks has left the General and my self but little respite or rest day or night. You have probably seen from the papers that Gen. R. has chosen me as Chief of his Staff. I have now been serving in that capacity for nearly two months. During that time we have been steadily at work to prepare this army for its great work, and I am glad to tell you it is now nearly ready to work. One thing was settled soon after my arrival and that was that it is useless to advance into the rebel territory unless we are prepared to hold the ground we win in battle. This cannot be done till we make our supplies secure - We have therefore established a triangle of posts with Nashville as its Northern apex and Franklin and Murfreesboro its base facing South. These points we have strengthened by erecting by far the best fortifications built during this war. At the same time we have used every available pound of transportation power to bring up supplies and store them in these several places. So that we now have rations to last till September, and forage till July. We have communicated with General Burnside who responds generously to all our requests and has promised to move forward and hold the line of the Cumberland, thus securing our rear. At the same time he will push a column into East Tennessee, and put his New England troops abreast of us in line of battle. His forces are now in motion to take the places assigned them. That done it relieves four of our Brigades of now doing garrison and R.R. duty in the rear. The army will then be foot-loose, and will move. As we climb we can pull the ladder up behind us - without danger. The Enemy may cut off our R. R. then if he can, and we will not be compelled to turn back. This army is in most excellent condition the froth has run off, and the weak elements are worked out. There is scarcely a regiment that has not been in more than one hard-fought battle. The men are reduced to solid muscle and brawn and they have that Esprit de corps which I have never yet known in any other army. The Country has a right to expect great things from this army, and I do not believe it will be disappointed. I hope the Government is fully awake to the probable movements of the enemy in this direction. The impression is very general both among the rebels and ourselves that the Grant expedition is a failure - and there is every reason to believe that the rebels contemplate an early removal of a large part of their Vicksburg army to this front. They have already sent a strong force to Columbia and Florence and are rapidly building boats and bridges to pave the way for the Transfer when the time is ripe - When the movement begins, if not sooner, Grant's main force should be sent here or up the Tennessee with all dispatch -
I should be glad to tell you, were the mails entirely safe, if a plan of mine which is now being put into Execution to disturb the equanimity of the rebels in a very unexpected place. I hope you will hear from it in the course of a fortnight -
The negro question is becoming one of very great practical difficulty. We can easily dispose of all the able-bodied male negroes here - for we take all we can find for teamsters and for workmen on our fortifications - I am urging - and I hope with success that when the works are finished - these negroes shall be drilled and organized for their defence. But the trouble arises with the swarms of negro women and children that flock to our lines for protection and support. This country is fearfully devastated and destitute - and I am totally unable to see how its people, especially its negroes, will escape actual starvation - Thousands have been abandoned by their masters who have lost all hope of gain by keeping them - and now cruelly turn them out to perish - or to become a burden which this army cannot safely assume -
We should be obliged to duplicate our issue of rations in less than two months if we took them up to feed and protect. It is one of the saddest pictures I have ever witnessed to see that these only innocent people in the South should per necessitation be the greatest sufferers. The General and I have spent many earnest hours in studying this question but we fail to solve it in any way hopeful for them. I wish the Government would try some plan of alleviation -
I desire to be remembered to Miss Katie most Kindly...I received a telegram from her a day or two since in regard to Capt. Koring...I am just now trying to get him with Maj Gen Stanly, Chief of Cavalry. Scarcely a day passes without some dashing work being done by the Cavalry - We have brought them up to charging with the Sabre - and more than a hundred real prisoners now in our hands have sabre wounds - this would be just the thing for Capt Paul K... Gen. Rosecrans sends his highest regards - He says Mr. Chase owns the brains of the Administration - I tell him that's a Capital idea - I suppose all are - We shall be glad to receive any suggestions - I hope you will write me when you can -
Very truly Your Friend
J. A. Garfield."
A full transcript of the letter is available in the lot's extended description online.
The Army of the Cumberland, hardened by recent campaigns, stood on the verge of renewed movement, and Garfield writes in the midst of preparation, measuring readiness, securing supply lines, and anticipating the next phase of the war. With fortified posts and accumulated stores, the army was nearing the point where it could advance decisively, supported by coordinated movements from General Burnside. In the letter, Garfield demonstrates a broader strategic awareness, anticipating the possible redeployment of Confederate forces and urging that Union strength be concentrated accordingly.
The letter's most striking passages turn from preparation to consequence. Garfield describes the growing number of formerly enslaved people seeking refuge within Union lines-men who could be put to work, but also women and children for whom the army had no adequate provision. In a devastated region, thousands face starvation, and Garfield appeals for some plan of relief, recognizing the humanitarian burden that now accompanies military operations.
Condition: Very good. Flattened folds with just a few minor ink smears. Pencil notations at the top margin of page 1 and page 4. Small piece of contemporary paper adhered to pages 4 and 6, affecting text, with minor soiling along folds.
References: The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (Washington: Government Printing Office); Allan Peskin, Garfield: A Biography (Kent, OH: Kent State University Press, 1978); James M. McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era (New York: Oxford University Press, 1988).
More Information: Full transcript:
"My Dear Secretary,
Yours of the 6th has just come to hand. I should have written you long ago, but the great amount of work we have had on hands for the last three weeks has left the General and my self but little respite or rest day or night. You have probably seen from the papers that Gen. R. has chosen me as Chief of his Staff. I have now been serving in that capacity for nearly two months. During that time we have been steadily at work to prepare this army for its great work, and I am glad to tell you it is now nearly ready to work. One thing was settled soon after my arrival and that was that it is useless to advance into the rebel territory unless we are prepared to hold the ground we win in battle. This cannot be done till we make our supplies secure – We have therefore established a triangle of posts with Nashville as its Northern apex and Franklin and Murfreesboro its base facing South. These points we have strengthened by erecting by far the best fortifications built during this war. At the same time we have used every available pound of transportation power to bring up supplies and store them in these several places. So that we now have rations to last till September, and forage till July. We have communicated with General Burnside who responds generously to all our requests and has promised to move forward and hold the line of the Cumberland, thus securing our rear. At the same time he will push a column into East Tennessee, and put his New England troops abreast of us in line of battle. His forces are now in motion to take the places assigned them. That done it relieves four of our Brigades of now doing garrison and R.R. duty in the rear. The army will then be foot-loose, and will move. As we climb we can pull the ladder up behind us – without danger. The Enemy may cut off our R. R. then if he can, and we will not be compelled to turn back. This army is in most excellent condition the froth has run off, and the weak elements are worked out. There is scarcely a regiment that has not been in more than one hard-fought battle. The men are reduced to solid muscle and brawn and they have that Esprit de corps which I have never yet known in any other army. The Country has a right to expect great things from this army, and I do not believe it will be disappointed. I hope the Government is fully awake to the probable movements of the enemy in this direction. The impression is very general both among the rebels and ourselves that the Grant expedition is a failure – and there is every reason to believe that the rebels contemplate an early removal of a large part of their Vicksburg army to this front. They have already sent a strong force to Columbia and Florence and are rapidly building boats and bridges to pave the way for the Transfer when the time is ripe – When the movement begins, if not sooner, Grant's main force should be sent here or up the Tennessee with all dispatch –
I should be glad to tell you, were the mails entirely safe, if a plan of mine which is now being put into Execution to disturb the equanimity of the rebels in a very unexpected place. I hope you will hear from it in the course of a fortnight –
The negro question is becoming one of very great practical difficulty. We can easily dispose of all the able-bodied male negroes here – for we take all we can find for teamsters and for workmen on our fortifications – I am urging – and hope with success that when the works are finished – these negroes will be drilled and organized for their defence [crossed out: of the works they have built]. But the trouble arises with the swarms of negro women and children that flock to our lines for protection and support. This country is fearfully devastated and destitute – and I am totally unable to see how its people, especially its negroes, will escape actual starvation – Thousands have been abandoned by their masters who have lost all hope of gain by keeping them – and now cruelly turn them out to perish – or to become a burden which this army cannot safely assume –
We should be obliged to duplicate our issue of rations in less than two months if we took them up to feed and protect. It is one of the saddest pictures I have ever witnessed to see that these only innocent people in the South should per necessitation be the greatest sufferers. The General and I have spent many earnest hours in studying this question but we fail to solve it in any way hopeful for them. I wish the Government would try some plan of alleviation –
Lest you may not have a good map of the country in which we are operating or trying to, I send you one which has been gotten up by our Topographical Department – and which will aid you in understanding any fixes we may get into.
I congratulate you on the brilliant and solid success of your Financial measure. There could hardly be built a broader and firmer basis for the Country's prosperity and your own future. The American people owe you a debt of gratitude which even your own Certificates of Indebtedness cannot liquidate –
I desire to be remembered to Miss Katie most Kindly – Your home seems almost my own – I received a telegram from her a day or two since in regard to Capt. Koring – I answered it that I would try to find a place for him – I may not find one [crossed out: a place for him] in Gen R's staff, but I am just now trying to get him with Maj Gen Stanly, Chief of Cavalry. Scarcely a day passes without some dashing work being done by the Cavalry – We have brought them up to charging with the Sabre – and more than a hundred real prisoners now in our hands have sabre wounds – this would be just the thing for Capt Paul K. But pardon this long letter, I am sure you will weary of this half dozenth page & its antecedents – Gen. Rosecrans sends his highest regards – He says Mr. Chase owns the brains of the Administration – I tell him that's a Capital idea – I suppose all are – We shall be glad to receive any suggestions – I hope you will write me when you can –
Very truly Your Friend
J. A. Garfield."
Auction Info
2026 June 19 The John H. Freund Americana Collection Signature® Auction #6331 (go to Auction Home page)
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