academy at West Point, was placed in command. So the Governor told him
to go among his own farmer friends in his native district, and recruit a
third regiment, promising to find him a West Point man as colonel, if
one was available. Garfield accepted the post of lieutenant-colonel,
raised the 42nd Ohio regiment, chiefly among his own old pupils at
Hiram, and set off for the seat of operations. At the last moment the
Governor failed to find a regular officer to lead these raw recruits,
every available man being already occupied, and Garfield found himself,
against his will, compelled to undertake the responsible task of
commanding the regiment. He accepted the task thus thrust upon him, and
as if by magic transformed himself at once from a schoolmaster into an
able soldier.

In less than one month, Colonel Garfield took his raw troops into action
in the battle of Middle Creek, and drove the Confederate General
Marshall, with far larger numbers, out of his intrenchments, compelling
him to retreat into Virginia. This timely victory did much to secure the
northern advance along the line of the Mississippi. During the whole of
the succeeding campaign Garfield handled his regiment with such native
skill and marked success that the Government appointed him Brigadier-
General for his bravery and military talent. In spite of all his early
disadvantages, he had been the youngest member of the Ohio Senate, and
now he was the youngest general in the whole American army.

Shortly after, the important victory of Chickamauga was gained almost
entirely by the energy and sagacity of General Garfield. For this
service, he was raised one degree in dignity, receiving his commission
as Major-General. He served altogether only two years and three months
in the army.