Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-11-18
Gen. Roseerans and the Enthusiastically
He was RemeYed--~The Battle Of Chieka-


Vi TIC NAuIiAudIl OU%tttc gives u to4is-
account, from what he alleges to be authentic
sources, of the difficulties between Gen. ROSE
GRAMS and the Administration, which led to
his supersedure, and also a new version OF the
battle of Chiekamauga. His statements wear
a greater appearance of probability than any
thing that has yet appeared on the subject,
and are very interesting, especially IN the
explanation given of the battle
We subioin the substantial portions of his
letter, which he prefaces with the following
,.It need scarcely be said that the stories
NJ Cen. Rosecrans drunkenness, his opium
eating his liability to epileptic fits, or his re
Iioious depressions, are alike utterly, wholly,
maIiciousiy false. The War Department has
never entertained any such charge, or har-
bored any such impression. Il is due to Gen.
Rosecrans that this should be said in the full
est and most emphatic manner. For what
ever may have been his errors, this man has
done the nation such signal and distinguished
service that all loyal will be tenderly
jealous of his fair fame
The dissatisfaction in the War Department
and at the headquarters of the army with
Gen. RosECRANs dates back many months
The delay to follow up the victory at Stone
River on New Years, for five months, doing
nothing, while our armies in other quarters
were sorely pressed, and when his advance
would have won victories, BY relieving them,
not only in his but it other departments, ex-
cited first surprise and then indignation The
Gazette writer gives the following as a faith
ful reproduction Of the tone and temper Of
the dispatches which passed between the
authorities at Washington and the General;
Secretary Stanton would teIegraph-',I am
very much dissatisfied with your long delay,
and think, unless YOU move at once the coun-
try cannot justify your course Gen. Hal
leck would wrIte-'I feel very kindly TO you
General and have the highest respect for the
abilities YOU have so sIgHaliy displayed: but
be assured thar neither your reputation nor
mine car withstand the effects ot this DELAY.
ut crisis when the eAigencies of the service
so mperatiycly demand movement" The
President would write, l am very much
grieycd by your unaccOuntable delay | am
bound TO believe that you, on the ground, are
the best judge of what you can do, but you
see how vitality important movement Is, and
YOU give me no reasons that seem To me sat
isiactory for the delay To all this Gen
R0secrans would auswer-'I know what the
country needs; and / know too what the
army needs. must have my communications
and supplies secure. II has never been my
habit 10 move into a place unless | could stay
there. Ii ] am not competent TO command
the army you can remove me, but while l re-
main in command 1 must use my own discre-
ton and move when | get ready" Such pas
sagcs as this did not occur once or twice only
but Systematically.
RosECEANs, sensitive ana impulsiye. was
sometimes indiscreet and naughty in his re-
plies, and failed for some cause, to give the
Department thoroughly to understand the
reasons for his delay. When the pressure
was heaviest upon him to advance in order to
relieve GRANT, against whom BRAGG had sent
a part OF his forces, BosECEANs obtained let
tiers from his corps and cavalry Generals,
that in their opinion BEAGGs force had not
been materially weakened, that it was impru-
dent to risk battle with him, and agreed
in opposing an advance.
Finally, however, Ell the 18th of June.
nearly five and a half months after his great
victory, Gen. Rosecrans decided 10 move
But he still DELAYED, rs il seemed TO the War
Department, unreasOnably, and it was not
till the 25d, that tine army was put III motion
The Department now has the indIsputable ev-
l.iei.l' es't'li7liiiL5 2eSoId possihiHty OF
thi. movement was made, Bragg's army had
been So weakened hy sending troops 70 Nicks-
hgr5, that ne h4a out Jo[Lg-ote l49.1Sa"a men
cars Rn.ccrons had 1;,l,,-tss 55al..l.l III M
evidence, it claims, was either in Gen. Rose
Grams possession or accessible TO him before
Is $50 Nh 80 SILL Il IT, a ,5'1's
wish Of an LIS leading Generals he L.ndIr5
The army so supcrbly, and made so successful
9 campaign, that it was supposed the good
80 -, ~ IL LtlLLi Il
the briliancv Of his operations when he did
move. Unfortunately, however, he had de-
layed till the June treshets were upon him
btasss' ielTeaIli1s ~ lurhplhes ana railroad,
nm - III, iii. III I,.I :, az
movement. Bragg was driven from nine
miles of Notifications at Shelbyvilie. and from
five at IuIlahoma and all Middle Tennessee
was relieved without battle, but the War
Department would not forget that but for the
delays OF which It complained the movement
would have escaped the June rains. and Bragg
would have been crushed instead of driven.
Thus the foundation was laid for future diSa-
grcements end grave dissatisfaction while
an enemy had also been made of the hero OF
Nlcksburg.
.....4 c.,...4..-.-