The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-10-30


Our exchanges are filed with specula-
tons concerning the removal of Rose
GRAMS. Some assert that, on two or three
occasions, lately, he has been attacked by
epileptic fits, at critical periods, and that
it was therefore unsafe to trust him longer
with command involving such vast re-
sponsibility, and the necessity for perfect
and continuous self-control. Others state
that his relations with the War Depart
ment, have, for long time back, been of
an unfriendly character; and it is surmis-
ed that STANTON seized the first opportu-
nifty presented by the Generals want of
success, to punish him for alleged lack of
respect in his official correspondence.
Others bring up the old story of his want
of presence of mind at Murffeesboro',
stating that, had it not been for an able
Brigadier at his side, who forced Rose
GRAMS to change his operations on the
field, BRAGG would have annihilated him
there ;-and they say further that BRAGG
would, in the same manner, have ami
hilated him at Chickamauga, had it not
been for THOMAS; and they argue thence,
that his removal was caused by his de-
monstrated incompetency to command.
Still others state that his removal was
caused by difficulty with HOOKER; and
in support of this view they say that
HOOKER, although he went to the South
west ostensibly to reinforce RosEoRANs,
has steadily refused to submit to the lat
ter's orders, on the ground that he, HOOKER,
was the ranking officer, by virtue of hold
ing the Oldest commission. Out of this
state of things, they say, the trouble arose
which led to the removal of RosEoRANs.
This latter speculation is put forth by
the usually judicious and we'll informed
Cincinnati Gazette, and we find it adopted
by the Chicago Post, and other journals.
The idea that HOOKER ranks RosEoRANs is
amistake. 1t is mistake naturally enough
INDUCED in, however, for, when HOOKER
went to the southwest, it was generally
stated that he waived his superior rank in
going to the support of a junior, and twas
credited to him as an act of great magma
nimity. The fact is, though, that Rose
GRAMS ranks HOOKER, both in the regular
and volunteer service. AS Brigader of
the regular army RosEoRANs is fourth on
the list, with commission dating from
the 18th May, 1861, while HOOKER is last,
having been commissioned on the Goth
September, 1862. AS Major Generals of
Volunteers RosEoRANs is ninth, and dates
from the 21st March, 1862, while HOOKER
is twenty-second, dating from the 9Th May,
1862. So the surmise that RosECRANs's
removal grew out of a question of rank
and authority between himself and HOOKER,
is, on the face of it, absurd.
Our own belief is, that RosEoRANs was
removed because he lacked capacity for
the place. We think he has exhibited such
incapacity more plainly than any promi-
nent officer in the service, during the
year and year and half past. We don't
believe he has brains enough in his head to
command large army, nor that those of
which he is possessed, are properly placed.
He is the weakestJooking man. intellectu-
ally, of high rank, in the service. There
isn't line in his face, or q bump on his
head, that indicates resolute energy. He
is thin-headed, dreamy sort of man,
capable of spasmodic and fiery action I'M
der excitement, provided the excitement
does not overwhelm him but utterly in
capable of any really great thing or
thought The President did wisely in su-
perseding RosEoRANs, and especially in
doing so with UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER
GRANT.