Jaw-droppingly rare 1864 letter handwritten and signed by James Garfield, who 16 years later would be elected President and assassinated 2 years into his term. Garfield at the time was an Ohio Congressman and a brigadier general in the Union Army. Here he replies to a man who had inquired about applying for a commission in the Veteran Reserve Corps, writing in black fountain pen on the blank side of a War Department circular: "The enclosed circular will give you the desired information. If I can help you in any way, I will be glad to do it. Very truly yours, James Garfield." The highly desirable signature is a strong and vibrant 9/10. Letter was sent from Washington to Michigan in the enclosed envelope, which is postmarked April 27, 1864, and also signed by Garfield in a lighter ink flow, grading 7/10. Entire piece is 10 x 16" and folded into 2 5 x 8" sections, the letter to the left and the circular to the right. Letter is very fragile and technically grades no higher than VG, with the top third cleanly severed on the first of 2 fold marks, yet the bold pen strokes seemingly have not deteriorated a bit. Envelope is G at best, though here too the writing is EX. Profound presidential memorabilia.