In the Senate he at once took high rank.  He was always ready to speak, his past experience having made this easy.  He took care to inform himself upon the subjects which came up for legislation, and for this reason he was always listened to with respectful attention.  Moreover, his genial manners and warmth of heart made him a general favorite among all his fellow legislators, whether they belonged to his party or to the opposition.

Again, in the session of 1860-61, being also a member of the Senate, he took a prominent part in such measures as were proposed to uphold the National Government, menaced by the representative men of the South.  He was among the foremost in declaring that the integrity of the Union must be protected at all hazards, and declared that it was the right and duty of the Government to coerce the seceded States.

When the President’s call for seventy-five thousand men was made public, and announcement was made to the Ohio Senate, Senator Garfield sprang to his feet, and amid loud applause moved that “twenty thousand troops and three millions of money” should be at once voted as Ohio’s quota!  He closed his speech by offering his services to Governor Dennison in any capacity.

This offer the Governor bore in mind, and on the 14th of August, 1861, Garfield was offered the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the Forty-second Ohio regiment, which he had been instrumental in forming.

It was a serious moment for Garfield.  The acceptance of this commission would derange all his cherished plans.  It would separate him from his wife and child, and from the loved institution of which he was the head.  He must bid farewell to the calm, studious life, which he so much enjoyed, and spend days and months in the camp, liable at any moment to fall the victim of an enemy’s bullet.

Suppose he should be killed?  His wife would have no provision but the small sum of three thousand dollars, which he had been able by great economy to save from his modest salary.

He hesitated, but it was not for long.  He was not a man to shrink from the call of duty.  Before moving he wrote to a friend: 

“I regard my life as given to the country.  I am only anxious to make as much of it as possible before the mortgage on it is foreclosed.”

CHAPTER XXI.

A DIFFICULT DUTY.

Having made up his mind to serve his country in the field, Garfield immediately wrote to the Governor accepting the appointment.

The regiment to which he was assigned was recruited from the same counties which he represented in the State Senate.  A large number of the officers and privates had been connected as students with Hiram College, and were personally known to Garfield.

His first step was to qualify himself for his new position.  Of the art and mystery of war the young scholar knew little, but he was no worse off than many another whom the exigencies of his country summoned from peaceful pursuits to the tented field and the toilsome march.  It was probably the only office which he ever assumed without suitable qualifications.  But it was not in his nature to undertake any duties without endeavoring to fit himself for their discharge.