adored his young officer, and now, at a critical moment in Garfield's
career, Brown was able to render him and the good cause an important
service.

The army was encamped near the scene of its victory. Close by was the
Big Sandy river, a deep and rapid and swollen stream. No local boatman
would venture down the torrent at such a time. And yet that was the
sole direction from which the little army might expect supplies.

Garfield sent for Harry Brown, who had been acting as scout. The two
sprang into a skiff, and succeeded in descending the river. At
Catletsburg, on the mouth of the Big Sandy, they found a little
old-fashioned steamer belonging to a Confederate, and of this vessel
they took possession. The steamer was loaded with provisions, and
Garfield assumed command. It was in vain that the rebel captain
protested, and explained the terrors of the passage. He had to do with
a man whose spirit of duty completely lifted him above the sense of
fear.

For two days and nights Garfield stood at the helm of the vessel, and
battled with the swollen torrent. More than once they were aground,
but the resolute management of Garfield and the unflinching obedience
of Harry the scout surmounted every difficulty, and at length the
little steamer came puffing in sight of the almost despairing camp.

The men were beside themselves with joy; they shouted and sang and
danced, and declared that with such a leader there was no danger they
would not face.

But it was at the battle of Chickamauga that Garfield's most daring
feat was performed. In the early part of 1863 he was made chief of the
staff to General Rosecrans, and in this capacity organised his famous
corps of scouts. The summer and autumn were spent in opposing General
Bragg, one of the ablest of the Southern commanders. On the 19th and
20th of September the battle of Chickamauga was fought. The right
division of the army, under the immediate direction of Rosecrans, was
cut in two by Bragg. As the Federals began their retreat, Garfield,
who chafed bitterly under this repulse, begged permission to ride back
to the second column of the army, which was under the command of
General Thomas. He hoped to reach this division, and encourage the
general to continue the battle until Rosecrans could collect his broken
forces and entrench himself in Chattanooga.

Great as was the need, Rosecrans hesitated before allowing Garfield to
run the risk of such a ride. At l