New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-12-05
qHE RECORD OF GEN. ROSECRANS.
History Of Ills Last Campaign.
The Cases Of Maior-Gsnerals McCocx
and Crittenden.
rrcrn Oar Special Correspondent.
CHATTANOOGA, Nov. ]. 1903


CHATTANOOGA. Nov. ], 1903
OF the many strange features of our grea.
civil war not the least remarkable is the long sad hu
uiatng list Of Union leaders fallen from the eminenec
o. proud commands to the depth Of failure disgrace
sni oSscurity 1t TO be expected that. with the
universal want Of experience in tho organization and
guidance Of large armies In the early stnses Of the
struggle many trusted with high responsibilities would
prove unequal to their task But that even after the
discipline Of commanders and the proof OF thelr rel
alive worth 70 the Government by thirty months o!
the loyal people st 20 contemplate the grevons
spectacle Of the sudden retirement from the highest
scve commsnGS of generals If whom great hopes had
been oAg iosteIed must certainly cause profound
toanl modification.
think l reflect the public sentiment IN ssylnc tia,
tse Intelligence Of the removal of Major Gen. Rosecran.
from tie command OF the Army Of the Cumberland ere
aed the deepest surprise throughout tie loyal States
lie has been marked popular fayoritc. Few II any.
Facts apt TO shake the general confidence rcposed IN
hin, are known 10 tie public. Up 70 the beginning OF
BIS last offensive movements all he had accomplished
bad strengthened rather than diminished IT, Even the
nissortunes that bcien him IL the Georgia campaign
were a5orbed more to the shortcomings Of others than
TO his own. is ten. but natural tina; his forced dis
appearance from the OF his apparent usefulness
snd the seeming absence Of all motives for this grave
Nep on tne part OF the Government have resulted IN
great and general mysticntoD and oesatisfac<ion
but The history of the War has shoulc have also
sangat the loyal public that however ire1plicahe some
pleasures OF the Government appeared At their naugurs-
eol sitter developments proved that the chief executive
eatho les after all had sound reasons for them. Pre-
nature Criticism and condemnation has often been IT,.
dug,t IN TO the subsequent chagrin and sestultfcs
ton % its su;Sors 10 show that the Government In
she instance OF Gen hoseernns has no, been reckless
u is dealings with one o' It's most prominent and
trusted servants aid treated him wish csuseess
ny have prepared statement Of its real pso Foation
T. him The revelations uisds in II VIII have no
doubt snaze The public Ito light they will shed upon
cpon Of tie most important phases % the war may
strange; yet TO- nevertheless bu. tho reflection
tl ff.u Morn
OF parties o. The highest position and responsibility
snl oiaoal documelts In he course OF the statement
Incidental opportunity VIII likewise offer fur full
review Of tie cases II Major Generals McCcok and
CTt.erlel, whose alleged GeiCilctlOLs OF duty ore.
Indeed closely connected With the main subject that
hey oaluOt vel be pass in dwelling upon II.
So sssre tat much nfy be said against tie pro
or.ey and good policy o. Hung ills time TIE oc'a
ss from matters. the contemplation Of which can b.
b.. G.AsreeGhe 10 every truly patriotic mind But
erov aso that tie iitA Of many tens II not lsHigeis
II thousands q! l0yasts IL the Administrators. has
Seen greatly lessened H. iho une1p.ored dsposl Of
Gen R05ecfans. Eaicrtsinng the conviction, as o.
s lie confidence O. tie people II rs executive ageats
g .Lc vital condition 81 tie success o. the carse sGd
E- Is ne imperative duty Of every good citizen 10
see Il q. the guardians Il the veal % De nation
1,gstiy lowered in the public estimate could Dot FOL
low IL ooarsels u false prudence VI this he more
g. VILE relieving the GovcTuner. o. some AZ least o.
he public distrus;. Can at tie time repair n >
treasure the yioas that may baTe been done 70 public
ssIven;s.
twill be seen that trea, principally Of tie lsst cam
psgr Of Gen, Rosecgsus l. the errors committed IL
hs fall ives due Bl already IN y preceding periods
Q. bis career. seIiops dssOnanccs lad sirgIs ~ DC
tween lin ard me Cover meut AL sAsl premise p
tref reference TO these IN the better unders,aneag u
A. lie time Gen Rosecrans assumed command Of
TIE Army Of tho Cuirbeslard. mos. delicate difficult
Al leavy duties at orce dcYo.yed gpon hin. Ito
.eg.cv lef 70 him ny Gen Ilcl was II q NOS. precs-
s.ols condition Lye-! Am Of eveTy department re-
srrv had been operated back 10 s starting point Of
Sic wear bei0re and al tie immense abors ana sAer
fees " lad incurred during the Intervening peF.oG had
COW evidently g. &c mace over again.
TIE rev commander epyied himself u lis work with
enuch zeal enlrEy ard Intelligence Toward TIE closs
Of 's2iess iLGa two months after bis assumption I"
and With the head quarters at Nashville. ls Ihifs
acre considerably N-.er. It's spft see revived. Ils
tear o; SIX months active CANA bing replaced
Still ia Chic; desired 10 aGG LloIo 70 iIs ohehs.'e
itrer IN before entering upon aggressive operations
Tie authorities II Washington. however held thss
Re e1euces OF the situation 81 large such 10
..l for g WiLter campaign In Middle 1enrotsee lie
Sress cOlce ntTated ia that region constitutes US os'
,-atyyTthy army then ot tic disposal u tie Govern
GENT. The first Fredericksburg disaster lad taken
rsce para.yxed tie Amy " The Potomac anc opened
ha uos-ec. Of nLOtte. Rebel advance OF Weshit giOn
L arfeared then desirable 10 briag about reaction IL
,sr favor bT a saccessi1 blow In Tennessee. Again
Vs Efforts 10 ouen the Mississippi scented 70 demand
supporting movements by Gen. kOseerans. Moreover
is stats OF foreign relations required SPEEDY No
sOre iT!gmphs - 80
let lie Righteousness 0, sn advance ron Es,hvil.
spon Brsegs army concentrhted IN TIE vicinity o.
Nur,ree-bOIo tie stated tine, WIS doubii1L Inc
poye- o. greater ELmhers was probably on our EIDE
But there hsd been ieither tine nor mem, 70 III U
eAgezines al Nashville. Our cavalry wns D0;oTiorsy
no weak 20 sure safe nes II communication bgsnst
tie far superior uUuried forces o! tAe enemy. lie
bsasOl vas Furthermore. LLpiOi nous.
Whatever the course dictated by sound strategy M!
esTe been, an advance wes ordered LoI"Hlslsnolls
Es wishes u eu. KCsecfEIs 70 ths Contrary ed TIE
r.er ob,yt1 l..
Tie results OF he battle Of Murreosboro ere no' n
proportion 10 It's RISKS srd seciinces VrI hdi i
tc'eGsd a success but IL only TelatiFe oIe no
k.bI go relrd 10 abefGor It's position But
ear casualties great 70 tLcse u we enemy ahu ~
material Be certainly l1s moIe Our Only real gam Nls
.lled extent oftcrfiiory eHd The temporary pio',A
Goa = lie enemy. Even uis was balanced u INC
tsag.henng q our lines 81 cOminui ichuon
by se fuer and by 0wn exhaustion IL VoTklns tie
bitter No better iuslreton Q, me eeded
.tsn ts long tern y Inactivity tie Army OF tue Slh
bald settled INTO after thc retreat OF Bragg W uAa
bona. 50 much was i. shattered tbet ~ees,, ~.
rontss elarscd before II again IN condition iof
sfsusife en- loJmeat. TIE iIhde9rac! OF ouI eaSr.
Il ia ,t4f pi0vlce - protecting or chGnhois u SUI
pies becane too more raif ly apparent, anu TIC ~
se.siiy q strcf gtLcniDg Ills am lupcTaufe'
That pro.rscted defensive attitude was required oi
eti.fe iiutf ofensiyo was unGen.lDe. Nqi WIS "a.
Government dispOsef 70 find iaut I'm zen.
~ maintaining IL during the remaining month"; "i Wy
J Winter Bat when lie spring nirEeh, ana UeAS'
Gfeat AID Banks acre about inGUguTnt.bg tLeH w
f.ions aiming at the capture 81 NIcMDuis arc SV'
Stdson. IT gIs" anxious Tor renewal OF "c"'"1 "a
Ile 'sonths 0, April liay and tho greater paTt o.
Jrle r'arsrd The iufintiy under Gen EosccT"Hs iei
teen decreased one-tllrd aud the cavalry more thoI
kUubel Bat the great army thus collected remained
/ not.csiers AZ MurfIosfhorO The Washington nuthor
t coud see no good rca50ng for TINS unexpected con
finance Of rs iCeuoas agt urged Vor! strong on.e lo
/ t. GbardonUleut upon Gen. hosecTans' III repro
s.a.ss-sad ve'X pg2el3c, "a r ' sS SnG tn
Oh advsnee on Bra,ys army vae Indispensable 10 sc
og,e ia, oce,, 81 f e!ttrpT!ses ~ Ouf troops IN tn