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Diana
Pioneer
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 18 2002
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 Posted - June 09 2012 : 11:15:23 AM
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Hi All:
There is a really good book out there about President Garfield, his short presidency, his assassin, Alexander Graham Bell and Garfield's doctors.
I would like to hear your comments. It is called DESTINY OF THE REPUBLIC by Millard.
Diana
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Fitzhugh Williams
Mohicanland Statesman
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 17 2005
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Posted - June 09 2012 : 12:01:26 PM
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| Saw the title and thought it was about the cat. Bummer. |
"Les deux pieds contre la muraille et la tete sous le robinet" |
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James N.
Colonial Militia
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
October 24 2007
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Posted - June 09 2012 : 7:52:32 PM
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Diana,
I haven't seen the new book, but based on a couple of things I've read previously about him, I'd say getting shot in the back was nothing but a piece of sweet "poetic justice" for the scumball Garfield. First, there was a biography of his former friend and commander, William S. Rosecrans, called The Edge of Glory by William Lammers; second was a damning article about their relationship in an old issue of Civil War Times Illustrated. I'll try to boil down the gist of the matter for you.
James A. Garfield was the graduate of an Ohio protestant Christian Academy, studying for the ministry but becoming instead a teacher. By the time of the Civil War had done well and was thinking about entering politics, but instead went into the army, where he showed a talent for administration. He had risen to the rank of colonel and command of an Ohio regiment when at the beginning of 1863, he was tapped to become the Chief-of-Staff for the Army of the Cumberland commanded by Rosecrans, whose previous chief-of-staff, Peter Gareshe, had been decapitated by a cannonball. When he reported for duty ( and a promotion to Brigadier General ), this good Baptist was supposedly unhappy about serving "Old Rosey", a devout Catholic who, like Presbyterian Stonewall Jackson in the Confederate army, held prayer meetings for members of his staff. ( Remember this was soon after the anti-Catholic "Know-Nothing" movement of the 1850's. ) Garfield feigned friendship toward Rosecrans and apparantly was a good chief-of-staff until the fall of 1863 when he decided to run for a seat in Congress from his home district in Ohio as a Republican. ( Rosecrans was a Democrat. )
Before his election victory and Garfield's leave to take his seat in Congress, Rosecrans maneuvered the Confederates out of middle Tennessee and into northern Georgia where, reinforced, they turned on him in what became the Battle of Chickamauga, Sept. 19 - 20, 1863. In that battle Rosecrans army was pierced, through no fault of his, and half of it driven back in confusion to Chattanooga, while the other half stood its ground successfully; unfortunately, Rosecrans had the misfortune to be among the half streaming rearward! He was headed back to the portion continuing to resist when he encountered Garfield who convinced him to continue on to Chattanooga to rally the routed portion and prepare a defense of the town, which Rosecrans successfully accomplished.
Safely back in Chattanooga, Garfield commenced a smear campaign against the unaware Rosecrans, reporting to the War Department how he had fled the field along with his men. This curried favor with their superior, the unforgiving U.S. Grant, who held a grudge against Rosecrans from the previous year, giving him the excuse to relieve the hapless Rosecrans of his command. Old Rosey was then "exiled" to command troops in California, his career all but over. Of course the faithless Garfield subsequently resigned his comission and went on to Washington, taking his "rightful" place among the ranks of the Radical Republicans. That is, until Fate caught up with him in the Washington railroad station, dealing him a long-deserved finale to his perfidy.
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Diana
Pioneer
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 18 2002
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Posted - June 12 2012 : 12:12:00 PM
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Hadn't heard any of this. I suppose Ms. Millard's focus was chiefly on the goings on of 1880-1881.
History can be funny. For example, some people revere Thomas Jefferson, some people revere Alexander Hamilton. Some even like Aaron Burr. Or some like William of Orange, others revile him.
Anyway, it was a good book when you look at the medical practices of the day as well as Alexander Graham Bell's contribution.
Thanks for the comments.
Diana |
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