When the United States was divided by war, future president James Abram
Garfield was one of many who stepped forward to defend the Union. While
his presidency was tragically cut short by his assassination, Garfield's
historic life covered some of the most consequential years of American
history. From humble beginnings in Ohio, he rose to become a major
general in the Union army. Garfield's military career took him to the
backwoods of Kentucky, the fields of Shiloh and Chickamauga and
ultimately to the halls of Congress. His service during the war helped
to save the Union he would go on to lead as president. Join historian
Daniel J. Vermilya to discover the little-known story of James
Garfield's role in the Civil War.