signed
by JAMES GARFIELD
JAMES GARFIELD (1831-1881). Garfield was the Twentieth President. ALS. 1pg. 7 ½” x 8 ½”. October 22, 1861. Camp Chase [nearly Columbus, Ohio]. An autograph letter signed “J.A. Garfield” as a colonel in the 42nd Ohio Infantry. Garfield wrote to George Hill of Cleveland: “Dear Sir, Your request is received and is hereby granted. Very Truly Yours J.A. Garfield”. In August 1861, Garfield was commissioned as a colonel in the 42nd Ohio Infantry regiment. Garfield’s first task was recruiting, so he enlisted many neighbors and students. They then went to Camp Chase, near Columbus, to train. In December, the 42nd traveled to Kentucky where they joined the Army of Ohio. Garfield Civil War-date letters are scarce. The letter is tipped to a larger sheet and very slightly trimmed on the right edge. (Inventory #: 6080)