Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-22
what Dorm Pia;t Knows AbOu; the
Matter.

WASHINGTON, March 21.-Colonel Dom
| Pratt, in the course of an interesting letter
| on the Garfeld-Rosecrans matter, of which,
| from his military staff position, he had much
knowledge, after giving some instances of
Stanton's bitter feeling toward Rosecrans,
says:
| that Chase and Lincoln had put in Rosecrans
over Stanton's head, and against his wishes.
There were generals in the army who could
suffer defeat without loss of command or
confidence. There were others whom victory
would not aid with the government. Rose
Grams was not one of the fortunate favorites,
| and one can see that it called for no in
triguing, no letter writing, to accomplish the
ruin, in the eyes of the administration, OF
one of the most brilliant military men
our poor, unfortunate army possessed. |
knew, we all knew, who had any knowl-
edge of Stanton and the war depart
nent, that Rosey's first biunder or
defeat would be the signal Tor his recall
and d .sgrace. L. may nave been that
Chase submitted in silence to Rosey's ruin,
but ] doubt il. But i do know that
whatever Garfield might have thought to
Rosecrans's movements, and whatever he
may have written in the strictest confidence
to a man who had been brother TO him,
when ROsey's troubles did come upon him
no truer, more loyal, or more active friend
C6ulu De lOunu IMAM OaI0eiO 10
know that in Rosecrans5 bour OF need Gar
field was openly and bravely his friend.
Here is an illustration: We were stationed at
Baltimore General Schenck incomm and OF the
Middle Department, when General Garfield
arrived there on his way from Chickamauga
to the House, he having been elected TO rep
resent the district OF the late Joshua K. Gid
dings in Congress. That most eloquent and
fascinating OF men, Handsome and winning
A. a woman, Henry Winter Davis, gave Gar
field a dinner General Schenck, with his
staff, including the undersigned, and Colonels
Cheesebrough and Crane, and Captain EST,
were amsng the invited guests. Judge Bond,
l remember, was also present, with others
whose names now escape my memory. Gar
field was soon, in his mastery, fascinating
way, giving US an account OF the
battle in which his general went
down, never TO rise in military way again.
He told US of Woods wretched bluuder, in
which a gap in our lines was left open for
the enemy to pour through, Of McCook's
wing giving way and carrying with 1t all the
reserve, and Rosecrans's resolve to ride to
the rear and get the army out of Chattanooga
across the river, ii pos sible. This resolve
was made doubtful by tn roar OF battle that
continued where the on great and grand
man OF our service had command, and Rose
Grams ordered Garfield to the front that he
might learn the meaning of fight that con-
tInued so vigorously IN ne midst OF terrible
defeat.
His mistake, then" interrupted Henry
Winter Davis, was in riding TO the rear in
stead OF riding to the front"
"No," said Garfield, "he was right. The
evidences OF a total rout were all around Us.
What he could not know was the high, relia-
bic qualities Of Pap 1Lhomas. We heard
only the roar of his guns, we did not see, nor
has the country yet seen, the possibilities OF
the commander. If, as Rosecrans and l be-
lieyed, We were Overwhelmingly routed, 1t
was our duty to put the river between Us and
the enemy that night 1t was not in riding
TO the rear that Rosetrans erred, il was in
riding TO a telegraph station"
"Why SOP asked &c neral Schenck.
"Rosecrans is safe only when his hand Is
on his sword. His impulses are to his ad
vantage then, but when he drops that for a
pen he Is gone. He telegraphed the depart
ment a,sptal rout, and bare hope Of getting
the army in safety over the river. 1t was
not total rout. Thank God and General
Thomas, We held the field, and are yet in
Chattanooga"