Skip to Main Content

WATCH LIVE: Donald Trump"s 2025 InaugurationWatch Live

Live TV
Shows
My Station
My List
Donate
Support your local PBS station in our mission to inspire, enrich, and educate.
Donate to WOSU

PBS is brought to you by

WOSU helps your community explore new worlds and ideas through programs that educate, inform and inspire. Your tax-deductible donation helps make it all possible.

Explore more from your station

More from WOSU

Garfield and Military Service: Committed to the Cause

Clip: Season 28 Episode 4 | 2m 58s

Garfield's time in the Union Army strengthened his support of the abolition movement.

Aired 02/02/2016 | Rating NR

Garfield and Military Service: Committed to the Cause

Clip: Season 28 Episode 4 | 2m 58s

Garfield's time in the Union Army strengthened his support of the abolition movement.

James Garfield joined the Union Army in 1861, shortly after the start of hostilities. When he came face to face with slavery during his time fighting in the south, Garfield's belief in the cause of abolition and freedom was strengthened. "This is my hope," he wrote, "that when we shall return to civil life, there shall go up an unrelenting cry for freedom."

Aired 02/02/2016 | Rating NR

Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Support provided by:

Liberty Mutual Insurance

Carlisle

Garfield and Military Service: Committed to the Cause

Clip: Season 28 Episode 4 | 2m 58s

James Garfield joined the Union Army in 1861, shortly after the start of hostilities. When he came face to face with slavery during his time fighting in the south, Garfield's belief in the cause of abolition and freedom was strengthened. "This is my hope," he wrote, "that when we shall return to civil life, there shall go up an unrelenting cry for freedom."

Aired 02/02/2016 | Rating NR

Genre

History

Maturity Rating

NR

Share This Video

Embed Video
American Experience
Garfield and Military Service: Committed to the Cause
S28 Ep4
Fixed iFrame
Width: in pixelsHeight: in pixels
Responsive iFrame

How to Watch American Experience

American Experience is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.

Buy Now

Buy on Apple TV

Related to This Clip

Murder of a President
The story of James Garfield, one of the most extraordinary men ever elected president.
Bush on Military Service: Bush vs. Reagan
A comparison of George Bush and Ronald Reagan.
Carter and Military Service: Nuclear Submarine Officer
Jimmy Carter learned punctuality, discipline, and order from his time in the Navy.
HW Bush and Military Service: Combat Pilot
George H.W. Bush was changed forever by his time as a combat pilot in World War II.
Truman on Military Service: Captain Harry
Truman's leadership during WWII made his men look at him in a new light.
Truman on Military Service: Mr. U.S.A.
Truman stepped on the world stage with two of the century's greatest figures.
Murder of a President, Chapter 1
Watch the first chapter of "Murder of a President" premiering Feb. 2, 2016 on PBS.
Murder of a President Trailer
In 1881, President Garfield's presidency was cut short by an assassin. Coming Jan. 2016
Murder of a President Preview
A heartbreaking story of romance, madness, and medicine. Premieres Feb. 2, 2016 on PBS.
Garfield on the Enemy: Racial Inequality
Garfield believed that every man, no matter his color, had a say in the U.S. government.
JFK and Military Service: The Rescue
In 1943, Kennedy kept his crew safe after their boat was destroyed by a Japanese vessel.

Find curriculum-aligned teaching resources for American ExperienceTeaching resources for American ExperienceExplore Free Resources

When is a photo an act of resistance?

Digital Short

When is a photo an act of resistance?

For families that just decades earlier were torn apart by chattel slavery, being photographed together was proof of their resilience.

Garfield and Lying: The Conkling Problem

Garfield and Lying: The Conkling Problem

New York senator Roscoe Conkling was no fan of James Garfield. (2m 39s)

Garfield and Unity: Machine Politics

Garfield and Unity: Machine Politics

In 1880 the Republican party was divided into two warring factions. (2m 59s)

Garfield on the Enemy: Presidential Protection

Garfield on the Enemy: Presidential Protection

In 1881 President Garfield had no security detail. It wasn't deemed necessary. (2m 20s)

Garfield on the Enemy: Racial Inequality

Garfield on the Enemy: Racial Inequality

Garfield believed that every man, no matter his color, had a say in the U.S. government. (2m 33s)

Garfield's First Lady: Lucretia

Garfield's First Lady: Lucretia

Lucretia Garfield showed strength and an unwavering moral compass in the face of tragedy. (1m 43s)

Providing Support for PBS.org

Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship

Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.