The Portland daily press., 1863-10-28
Major General Rosecrans.

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position, however earnest and devoted he may
be to the interests and prosperity of his coun.
try, however great aud long-continued may be
his sacrifices, however high he may stand in
the estimation of those capable of appreciat-
ing his worth, one mistake, one false step, one
departure from the strict rule of right, and all
his valuable services, great sacrifices, long
continued devotion TO his country, are forgot
ten.
Nearly every leading general who was prom
inent in command during the first year Of the
war has been relieved OF such command. FIRE.
mont, Butler, Mcdowell, Mcclellan, Seigel,
Wool, Rosecrans, and host of others, whose
friends have never been able to understand
why they should be under pay without being
in active service, have been laid ON the shelf
while there is such an urgent demand for men
of their experience.
We do not question the honesty OF wisdom
of the government in the action taken in re-
gard to either oil these generals, but they are
entitled TO favorable remembrance for what
they have done, and for honesty OF purpose il
they have exhibited il. Gen. Rosecrans, up to
the time of the battle of Chattanooga, was
looked upon as one of the most successful
of the Generals in command, and while We
bow in submission TO the decision of those
who have the best means Of knowing the con-
dition and wants of the army and the fitness
of any man for any given place, we may re-
member with gratitude the valuable services
he may have rendered, even though he may
be relieved from active service.
William Stark Rosecrans was born in
Kingston, Delaware, on the 9th Of September,
1919. The proper pronunciation of the name
through the influence of Judge Harper, he
received an appointment to West Point Acad-
envy, aud after graduating he was appointed
Assistant Professor of the Engineering De-
partment of that ns titution. In 1S47 he was
engineer in charge OF the Notifications at
Newport, II. l., where he remained several
years.
In the Spring OF 1863 he was chief of the
Bureau of Docks aad Yards, and Construct
ing Engineer at the Washington Navy Yard.
During the two years time he spent there he
erected several large machine shops, and made
many important changes and improvements in
the various departments that came under his
charge. His health falling him he sent in his
resignation TO Jefferson Davis, then Secretary
of War, which was reluctantly accepted.
He then went to Cincinnati, where he en-
gagged in business as an architect and consult
ing engineer, and subsequently went into the
manufacture OF coal oil, and is said to be the
first TO obtain good article of odorless oil
from petroleum.
During the time he was engaged in this
business he was severely burned by the COM
bustion of benzole gas, in consequence Of
which he was confined to his bed eighteen
months, the scars OF which have no. yet disap-
peared.
When the rebellion broke out he immediate
ly offered his services to Gov. Dennison OF
Ohio, and was commissioned Colonel OF the
23d Ohio regiment. After having prepared
camps for the Ohio regiments he was appoint
ed Brigadier Genera! in the regular army
with orders to report to Gen. Mcclellan, which
he did at Cincinnati. He was ordered imme-
diatey to Western Virginia, where his bril-
liant and successful operations were mainly in
strumental in crushing out rebellion in that
State. For the valuable services rendered
he was presented by the legislature of Western
Virginia with vote of thanks.
The success that attended the movements of
Gen. Rosecrans in the Shenandoah Valley are
already recorded in the annals of the history
Of the rebellion, as are also his brilliant
achievements while in command of the right
wing of the Army OF the Mississippi.
On the oath of October, 1862, Gen. Rose
Grams, having been previously appointed Ma
jor General, was assigned to the command of
the Army OF the Cumberland, in which ca
pacity he distinguished himself in several i'm
portant engagements, and in fact, up to the
time Of his removal no general in the field or
out of 1t had better record, and his enthusi-
astic reception at Cincinnati and his patriotic
reply to the welcome speech of Judge Storer,
afford the best possible evidence that Gen. Rose
Grams is deserving the favorable remembrance
Of the faithful historian. He has always exhib-
tied the most determined bravery, untiring in
dustry, indomitable energy and uncondi-
tional loyalty. In describing him, the n. Y.
Herald says:
'He is about five feet eight inches high,
firmly built, his form displaying his German
origin; his motions are quick, his mind almost
intuitive. His face is weather worn, but bears
warm, cordial expression that never leaves
it. There is no air OF superiority in his mau-
ners; he approaches you as friend, talks to
yon as friend, aud bids you good day as
friend. His orders to officers are given with
a pleasant recognition of their rights