Congressman James A. Garfield to Corydon E. Fuller, October 3, 1865

Hiram, O., October 3, 1865.

My Dear Corydon: — Your welcome letter of the 26th is received. It finds me at home, and, for the time being, a cripple. Four weeks ago I sprained my ankle precisely where it was sprained thirteen years ago, when we roomed together. You remember what a long siege I had with it then. I have not yet been able to use it, more than to bear a part of my weight upon it, and the rest on a cane. Indeed, I have had some fear that, in view of the former hurt in the same joint, it would be permanently injured, but I hope not.

I am greatly distressed to hear that your health is failing, so much so that you are compelled to resign your position in Washington. I beg of you to take all pains to restore your health first of all.

I was hard at work in the State campaign when my accident occurred. Since then I have made no speeches, nor shall I be able to make any more during the campaign. The early part of the season I was engaged in the oil business, and hope yet to realize something from my investments in that direction. I am trying to do a good deal of reading to prepare myself for the struggle which will be upon us when the 39th Congress meets. I look forward with great anxiety, not unmixed with alarm, at the signs of the times in the immediate political future. I fear that President Johnson is going too fast on the road toward reorganization. I fear it leads too far into rebeldom. I agree with you, that it would at least be decent to wait until the grass is green on the graves of our murdered patriots.

Your letter has made me very anxious for you. Be assured, my dear brother, that I cherish the same old love, and my heart responds as ever to all your joys and sorrows. With all my heart I am, as ever,

Your brother,

James.

P. S. — “John Jordan” came to hand a few' days ago. It was news to me in many particulars. Such is “rags and lampblack” fame.

J. A. G.

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 392-3

Pass of Corydon E. Fuller, April 15, 1865

Pro. Mars. Gen’ls Bureau,

Washington, D. C, April 15, 1865.

Guards will pass the Bearer, Mr. Fuller, Clerk on duty, to and from the War Department, to-morrow, April 16, 1865.

N. L. Jeffries,

Bvt. Brig. Gen'l and Acting Pro. Mar. Gen'l.

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 385

Pass of Corydon E. Fuller, April 15, 1865

No. 2691.

Headquarters.

Department of Washington,

Washington, D. C, April 15, 1865.

Pass C. E. Fuller, on Seventh street, near the toll gate, and return.

Reason. To go home and business.

This pass will expire April 23, 1865.

By command of Major General Augur.

J. A. Slipper,

Capt. and A. A. G.

On the back side of the same was the following:

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.

In availing myself of the benefits of this Pass, I do solemnly affirm that I will support, protect and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States against all enemies, whether domestic or foreign; that I will bear true faith, allegiance and loyalty to the same, any ordinance, resolution or law of any State Convention or Legislature to the contrary notwithstanding; that I will not give aid, comfort or information to its enemies; and further, that I do this with a full determination, pledge and purpose, without any mental reservation or evasion whatsoever: So help me God.

C. E. Fuller.

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 384-5

Diary of Corydon E. Fuller: Tuesday, April 4, 1865

During the day great preparations had been made for the grand illumination to come off in the evening. About 7½ o'clock P. M., we rode to the city, with Bro. Summy's people, and remained until near 10½ o’clock. We rode down Seventh street, past the Post-office, to E street; then along that street to Ninth street; then down Ninth street to Pennsylvania avenue, and then up the avenue to the War Department, where we left the carriage and walked down Seventeenth street, past the War Department, nearly to the Navy Department. Four bands were at the War Department, and made excellent music all the evening. Over the north portico was erected a magnificent evergreen arch, beneath which was suspended a transparency with the motto, “The Union must and shall be preserved,” and beneath, the word “Richmond.” The pillars were wreathed with flags, and in each window were twenty-four lights. The effect was very brilliant. Several thousand people filled the avenue and Seventeenth street, both north and west of the War Department. The Navy Department, Winder's building, the “Art Hall,” and several other buildings near, were brilliantly illuminated, and added much to the effect. We then went around to the President's house, which was a blaze of light; while from Lafayette Square beautiful rockets were sent up, exploding in a shower of stars. We next went down the avenue past the Treasury. Over the north door of the State Department, which is in the Treasury building, was the motto, “At home, Union is Order, and Order is Peace; Abroad, Union is Strength, and Strength is Peace.” Over the east door the motto was, “Peace and good will to all nations, but no entangling alliances and no intervention.” Over the door of the National Currency Bureau of the United States Treasury Department, was the motto, “U. S. Greenbacks and U. S. Grant; Grant gives the Greenbacks a metallic ring.” Below this was another transparency presenting a facsimile of a ten dollar compound interest note. Jay Cooke's banking office had transparencies as follows: over the north window, “5-20”; over the south window, “7-30.” These were connected by another, bearing the inscription. “The bravery of our Army, the valor of our Navy, sustained by our Treasury, upon the faith and persistence of a patriotic people.” Hundreds of other buildings were illuminated, but I can not mention them. We walked down Pennsylvania avenue as far as Seventh street; then up Seventh street to the Post-office, and down F street, stopping in front of the Patent Office, where some ten or fifteen thousand persons were congregated, listening to speeches. We did not go up to the Capitol, as the cars were crowded and the walk too much for Mary. It was very brilliantly illuminated to the very top of the dome, and in the distance presented a magnificent spectacle. Taken as a whole, the illumination was by far the best I have ever seen, and is said to have been the best ever seen in this city.

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 376-7

Diary of Corydon E. Fuller: Monday, April 3, 1865

Richmond has fallen! The flag of the Union waves in triumph over the rebel Capitol! The news reached the War Department about 11 o'clock this forenoon, and such a scene of rejoicing and shouting and general jubilee I have never before seen. Old men acted like boys, and young men are half crazed with delight. The first intimation we had of it in our office was from a wild hurrah from the next floor below, on which is Secretary Stanton's room, and within five minutes at least a thousand men were gathered about the west door, and shouting and shrieking in their wild delight. Every office was abandoned; the clerks determined to take a holiday, and the Secretary of War soon after issued orders to close all the offices. Speeches were made by Secretary Stanton, Vice-President Johnson, Gen. Nye, and others. Salutes were fired all about the city, and not less than five hundred guns spoke in echoing thunder of the glorious victory. Great preparations are being made for a grand illumination. The latest reports say that we have taken 25,000 prisoners, and that the capture of Lee's entire army seems certain.

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 376

Diary of Corydon E. Fuller: Saturday, March 4, 1865

The morning broke with black clouds and driving rain, and the prospect seemed exceedinglv gloomy. After breakfast I walked down to Pennsylvania avenue, under a dripping umbrella, and later, went to the Hall of Representatives. Spent an hour there, witnessing the close of the session. Nothing was done while I remained, except call the yeas and nays, amidst much confusion. The hour having arrived for the inauguration, I obtained a place in the mud, near the front of the platform, and stood there through the ceremonies. Many thousands were present; how many, I dare not attempt to guess. At 12 o'clock noon President Lincoln and Vice-President Johnson appeared upon the platform, which by that time was filled with Senators, Foreign Ministers, and other distinguished personages. The appearance of Mr. Lincoln was greeted with tumultuous shouts from the thousands gathered around, and after a short delay he arose and read his inaugural address. I heard every word of it. At its close, Chief Justice Chase arose and administered the oath of office, the President taking the Bible from his hands and kissing it, at the close of the oath. All the members of the Supreme Court were standing by. The crowd then began to disperse, amid the thunder of artillery which shook the Capitol, massive as it is, until the windows rattled at each explosion. I have omitted to mention that the rain ceased about half-past ten o'clock, and just as Mr. Lincoln arose to read his inaugural the sun burst through the clouds and shone full upon him and the company around him, as well as the thousands' gathered there. The remainder of the day and evening was glorious. Was the clearing up the stormy and unpropitious weather of the morning at midday an omen of the sunlight of success that shall soon gild the clouds that now hang so darkly around our national sky? Toward night I called at James' room and had a pleasant time until about eight o'clock. He is tired out, and seems worn down by the excessive labors of the session. I then went to the President's house, and after a long time succeeded in entering the east room. There were an immense number present. . . .

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 374-5

Diary of Corydon E. Fuller: Friday, March 3, 1865

The city is filled with strangers who have come here to witness the inauguration. The rain fell heavily last night, and the streets are very muddy, but this afternoon it looks some like clearing off. I hope to-morrow may be pleasant, and an omen of the coming four years, which, God grant, may be years of peace instead of war.

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 374

Capt. Theodore McMurtrie to Corydone E. Fuller, December 10, 1864

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Provost Marshal General’s Office,

WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. 10, 1864

Corydon E. Fuller, Esq., Rochester, Indiana:

Sir: — Your application for a clerkship, forwarded by Hon. Schuyler Colfax, has been favorably considered.

You will report to this office at your earliest convenience. Salary $1,200 per annum!

I am, sir,

Very respectfully.

Your obedient servant,

Theo. Mcmurtrie,

Captain Vet. Res. Corps.

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 369

Congressman James A. Garfield to Corydon E. Fuller, November 24, 1864

Hiram, November 25, 1864.

My Dear Corydon: — Yours of the 13th came duly to hand. I am glad to inform you that Crete is now convalescent. She has had a terrible run of typhoid fever, which for some days seriously threatened her life, and which left her exceedingly weak and reduced; but she is now on her feet again and rapidly gaining strength.

I rejoice with you in the great victory, but greatly regret that your county is not redeemed from the dominion of the enemy. I think, however, that Fulton county can confidently say that if she has not won her first victory she has suffered her last defeat. After I left you I finished my appointments in Colfax's district, and then went to Ohio. My work grew heavier as the campaign drew on to its close, and I made eighteen speeches in the last two weeks preceding the Presidential election, and traveled nearly four thousand miles. I was thoroughly exhausted when the end came, but I am now quite well again, and hope to enter upon my winter's work in good health.

I start for Washington next week. I do not think Crete will be able to go before the holidays, when I intend to take her with me.

In regard to your own matters, I need not assure you how ready and willing I am to do all in my power to-aid you. I will see Colfax as soon as I get to Washington and consult with him on the best way to secure a place for you. If a place can be got by us two, it shall be.

Write me soon.

Ever truly yours,

James.

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 368-9

Speaker Schuyler Colfax to Corydon E. Fuller, December 3, 1864

Washington City, December 3, 1864.

My Dear Sir:—As I left home the Friday after the Presidential election, have just received your letter remailed here.

I think you err in desiring to come here as a clerk, for the pay, $1,200, will, at the high rates of living here, barely support you and your family, and promotion is very difficult and won only by merit; for I have so many favors to ask for constituents constantly that all the clerks from my district know I can not ask their promotion as a political favor.

But I recognize how faithfully you have labored for the cause, and I intend to get a clerkship for you, in preference to a dozen other applicants from my district pressing for appointment. So be ready to come.

Yours very hurriedly but truly,

Schuyler Colfax.

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 368

Congressman James A. Garfield to Corydon E. Fuller, September 15, 1864

Hiram, September 15, 1864.

My Dear Corydon: — Yours of August 24th has lain unanswered for some time in consequence of my absence. I have just got home — temporarily broken down with a cold. I find myself overwhelmed with a world of work in the way of correspondence. I have, therefore, only time to say that I promised Colfax that I will speak for him from the 27th inst. to October 1st inclusive, beginning at Peru. I hope to see you and have you with me as much as possible. Crete and Almeda join me in love to you and Mary.

Ever yours,

James.

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 360

Speaker Schuyler Colfax to Corydon E. Fuller, August 29, 1864

SOUTH BEND, Ind.,

August 29, 1864.

C. E. Fuller, Esq. — My Dear Sir: — I will be at Rochester Thursday, Sept. 22, when Mr. Wilson is to speak, without fail. Have to change my programme some to bring me in that part of the district at the time, but will do so.

Gen. Garfield has replied to my letter of last month, that he will come after filling his own appointments at home. I have mapped out a route for him as follows, and so written him (to avoid his leaving home before a Sunday):

Peru, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 1 P. M.

Rochester, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 1 P. M.

Plymouth, Thursday, Sept. 29, 1 P. M.

Westville, Friday, Sept. 30, 1 P. M.

South Bend, Saturday, Oct. 1, P. M.

At Westville I am to have a mass-meeting that day for La Porte and Porter counties.

I have asked him to write if this will suit. I thought better to have him the next week after, than to crowd Wilson, himself and myself all up into one meeting.

Yours, truly,

Schuyler Colfax.

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 359

Congressman James A. Garfield to Corydon E. Fuller, February 9, 1864

House Of Representatives,

Washington, D. C, Feb. 9, 1864.

My Dear Corydon: —Yours of the 31st came duly to hand. I should be glad to be as prompt and punctual as in other days in answering your letters, but the crush of work in which I constantly find myself involved will not give me a solid moment that I can call my own. I grow weary, very weary, at the prospect of a life spent as I have been spending mine for the past five or six years. I have lived at home less than one year in the last three and a half, and it seems now as if my future gave no promise of home and rest this side the grave. I can not tell you how much I long to be once more free, and feel that a few days are my own to give to my own heart and to friendship; but it does not now look as though that time would ever come. The revolutionary times in which we are living will probably keep the whole of your life and mine in a whirl.

Your suggestions in reference to the excise law seem to be good and just. I will try to get them before the committee on that subject. There are no copies of Boutwell's book now left for distribution, but I may be able to find some of the old members who have a spare copy. If so, I will send it to you.

Give my love to Mary, and do excuse hasty and unworthy letters. I have sent you a copy of my speech on Confiscation.

Ever your brother,

J. A. Garfield.

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 354

Congressman James A. Garfield to Corydon E. Fuller, December 13, 1863

Washington, Dec. 13, 1863.

My Dear Corydon: — On my arrival here one week ago, I found yours of the 1st of November awaiting me. I am sorry it was not forwarded to me, but it lay here with fifty or sixty others.

I had expected to get here some time before the session began, to secure rooms and take a more active part in the organization of the House, but I was detained at home for the saddest of reasons. We buried our precious little “Trot” the day before I left home. I sat by her bedside for nearly two weeks, watching the little dear one in her terrible struggle for life.

We had at length reached a point where the fever was over, and we had hopes of her recovery, when the diphtheria set in, and we were compelled to sit still and see her die. We buried her on the third day of December, at the very hour she would have reached the end of her fifth month of her fourth year.

I have no words to tell you how dreary and desolate the world is since the light of her little life has gone out. It seems as if the fabric of my life were torn to atoms and scattered to the winds. I try to be cheerful, and look up through the darkness and see the face of our Father looking upon me in love, but it is very, very hard. I will try to be cheerful.

“Yet in these ears till hearing dies

One set, slow bell will seem to toll

The passing of the sweetest soul

That ever looked with human eyes.”

You must pardon me, dear Corydon, if I seem almost dead to life and all that belongs to it.

My bereavement made me still more want to go back to the army, but the President did not think it safe to risk a vote, and so I resigned the Major Generalship and took my seat.

You have seen how triumphantly we elected your friend Colfax. I talked with him of you, and he spoke of you in high terms.

I wish I knew of some way in which I could assist you to a position which would put you into better opportunities for work and usefulness. Tell me if you find any place where I can be of service to you.

Give my love to Mary. I wish she would write to poor Crete, and I wish you would, too. You must forgive this hurried note, for I have a great crush of work upon me just now.

With much love, I am, as ever,

Your own,

James.

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 344-5

Brigadier-General James A. Garfield to Corydon E. Fuller, May 4, 1863

Headquarters

Army Of The Cumberland,

Murfreesboro, May 4, 1863.

My Dear Corydon: — Yours of April 1 was received by the hand of Lieut. Beeber, and I assure you it was read with great pleasure. When I was in Washington last winter, I saw Mr. Colfax, who spoke very kindly and highly of you. I have now fully recovered my health, and for the last three months have been hardy and robust. My duties are very full of work here, and I have never been more pressingly crowded with labors than now. I have not retired, on an average, before two o'clock for the last two months and a half. Gen. Rosecrans shares all his counsels with me, and places a large share of the responsibility of the management of this army upon me, even more than I sometimes wish he did.

This army is now in admirable condition. The poor and weak material has been worked out, and what we now have is hard brawn and solid muscle. It is in an admirable state of discipline, and when its engineries are fully set in motion it will make itself felt.

From all the present indications, it can not be long before we meet the rebel army now in our front, and try its strength again. When the day comes, it bids fair to be the bloodiest fighting of the war.

One thing is settled in my mind: direct blows at the rebel army — bloody fighting — is all that can end the rebellion. In European wars, if you capture the chief city of a nation, you have substantially captured the nation. The army that holds London, Paris, Vienna, or Berlin, holds England, France, Austria, or Prussia. Not so in this war. The rebels have no city, the capture of which will overthrow their power. If we take Richmond, the rebel government can be put on wheels and trundled away into the interior, with all its archives, in two days. Hence our real objective point is not any place or district, but the rebel army wherever we find it. We must crush and pulverize them, and then all places and territories fall into our hands as a consequence.

These views lead me to hope and believe that before many days we shall join in a death-grapple with Bragg and Johnston. God grant that we may be successful. The armies are nearly equal in numbers, and both are full of valiant soldiers, well drilled and disciplined.

I am glad to hear of your success in the Chronicle, and especially in the triumph in your region over the copperheads.

The little circumstance you related to me of the soldier in the 51st Indiana, touches my heart. I wish you would write a letter for me to Joseph Lay, and express my sympathy with him for the loss of his brave son, who was many times with me under the fire of the enemy. I want to know of the health of his family, and especially of that little one to whom the affection of the father gave my name.

John E. McGowan is here, visiting me. He is a Captain in the 111th Ohio. He wishes to be kindly remembered. Give my love to Mary, and let me hear from you both. With the love of other days, I am, as ever,

Your brother,

James.

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 336-7

Brigadier-General James A. Garfield to Corydon E. Fuller, September 5, 1862

Howland Springs, Trumbull Co., O.,

September 5, 1862.

My Dear Corydon: — Your kind letter of the 25th ult. was received a few days ago. I was exceedingly glad to hear from you. I have not heard from you for a long time, only by way of your paper, a copy of which has from time to time found its way into camp and reached me. I ought to have left the field two months ago, but I had hoped to ward off disease, but for being put on that miserable Court Martial, where I was shut up for near forty days in a hot room, where I could get no exercise; and at last I broke down. It was doubted by some whether I could live to get home. I lost forty-three pounds of flesh, and was so weak that I had to lie on a couch in the court the last ten days of my attendance. I had the jaundice very badly, and the chronic diarrhœa. I am getting better; indeed, I am nearly free from disease, but I am very weak. I have come away here to a quiet farmer's home, where there is a medicinal spring, and I could get rest away from the school and the crowd of visitors.

I hope to be able to take the field again in a few weeks. I have just received a telegram from Secretary Stanton, ordering me to report at Washington in person for orders, as soon as I am well enough. It is rumored that I am to have a larger command, but what and where I do not know. The doctor says I will not be fit for duty before the first of October, but I am very restive under this restraint, I assure you.

After so many months of preparation, there now seems to be a hope of active work, and it is a great trial to me to have to lie here and do nothing. Crete and Trot are with me, and but for the war I should be very glad to enjoy their society once more. Trot is twenty-six months old, and I have lived with her but eight months of that time.

On the 2nd inst. I was nominated to Congress from this district. I had taken no part in the canvass, and did not even attend the convention. It was a spontaneous act of the people.

The Eclectic is doing well. We have nearly two hundred students. I hope you may not fail in your paper. Can I aid you in any way? Let me know. Give my love to Mary. Crete joins me in love to you both. Let me hear from you again. Direct to Hiram, and if I am gone it will be forwarded to me.

With much love, I am, as of yore,

Your brother,

James.

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 330

James A. Garfield to Corydon E. Fuller, May 10, 1861

Columbus, May 10, 1861.

My Dear Corydon: — Your favor was duly received, but I have been away, and so overwhelmed with military matters that I have not been able till now to answer. I am glad to hear that you have succeeded in getting a paper. It was very mortifying to me to have a failure here in Ohio. Now that the piping times of war are upon us, I hope and believe you will be able to make a good thing out of it.

I have resolved that I can not remain quiet while the war is around us. I am going into it in some capacity.

I am sorry that I can not now accommodate you in the matter of money at this time. I have not drawn my pay for several weeks, and on the receipt of your letter I went to the Treasury, and found there was not a dollar there for members of the Legislature, and will not be for several weeks. I have not now money enough to pay my board and washing. I am very sorry indeed. I want you to write to me at once, and tell me if you have been able to secure the amount named. If not, I will hope to be able to get hold of some as soon as possible.

In the war now upon us, we can not tell the outcome either to individuals or to the nation. If I live through it, we shall some time meet again.

Love to Mary when she sees you, and believe me, ever and faithfully,

Your brother,

James.

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 316

Diary of Corydon E. Fuller: Saturday, April 13, 1861

The news must thrill the heart of the mighty North, and arouse a. spirit of desperate resistance to the hordes of the secessionists. If war must be, may it be quick and terrible, and may traitors learn that the arm of the government is not yet powerless in the vindication of National honor and of the glory of the old flag.

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 308