V.

Early Political Career

Garfield slowly abandoned his disdain for politicians. In 1856 he got involved in politics on behalf of Senator John C. Frémont of California, the presidential candidate of the Republican Party. In 1859 Garfield ran as a Republican for the Ohio state senate. His oratory, developed through lay preaching, and his skill as a debater aided him in the campaign. He defeated his Democratic opponent by a substantial margin. While in the senate, he cultivated the friendship of prominent party leaders. In his spare time he studied law in the Cleveland office of Albert G. Riddle. In 1861 Garfield was admitted to the practice of law in Ohio.

When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Garfield used his oratorical powers to raise troops for the Union Army. He helped assemble the 42nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he was appointed lieutenant colonel and later commanding colonel of this regiment. Garfield saw active service against forces of the Confederate States of America in Kentucky and was promoted to the rank of brigadier general of volunteers. He participated in the second day's fighting at Shiloh and fought in the Battle of Chickamauga under General William S. Rosecrans. In 1863 he was promoted to major general of volunteers.