Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1882-03-18
GARFIELD AND RosEoRANz.

GARFIELD AND ROsEORANZ.
WASHINGTON, March S.-The follow.
ing heretofore unpublished letter will
be read with interest. As will be seen,
it reflects upon Gen. Rosecranz. 1t will
be remembered that Gen Rosecrans dis
puted an extract in Blaine's eulogy on
the late President Garfield relating to
the army Of the Cumberland, The let
ter, 1t is thought, ls now made public
by Gen. Garfisld's friends to show that
Mr.. Blaine was not so far from right as
Gen. Rosecrans might have thought him
to be. OF Z. er E.a 5s..s.s, 3,
s [Contidential.l ..... .
HEADQUARTERS } =.
DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND.
. . NASHVILLE. July. ~. 1873.
"MY DEAR GovERNoR-I have toru
long time wanted to write to you, not
only to acknow ledge your last kind let
ter, but also to say something confden-
TALLY on the movements in this depart
ment; but have refrained hitherto. lest
do injustice 20 good man, and say
10 you things which were better left un-
said. We have now. -heweyer, reached
point upon which feel it proper. and
also due to that kind opinion which
believe you had OF me, to acquaint you
with the condition Of affairs hero. 8:
. Il cannst conceal from you the fact
that have bsen greatly tried and dis
satisfied with the slow progress that we
have made in this department since the
battle Of Stone River. will say 10
Al. "a 4 4,
degree unjust to say that the 162 days
which have elapsed between the battle
Of Stone River and the next advance OF
this army were spent in idleness or tri-
fling. During that period was perform.
ed the enormous. and highly. important
labor which made the Army of the Cam-
berland what it is, in many respects by
far the best the country has ever known.
But for many weeks prior to our late
movement 1 could not help but feel that
there was not that live and earnest de-
termination to ding the great weight OF
this army in the. scale, and make its
power telt in crushing the shell of the
rebellion. ..i.
..I have no words to tell you with how
rsstive and unsatistied spirit waited
and pleaded for striking . sturdy blow.
could not justly say we we're in any
proper condition to advance till the ear
ly days OF May. At that time the strings
bsgan to draw sharply upon the rebels,
both on. the Mississippi and ip the east.
They began to fear for the safety OF
Vicksburg. and before the middle of
May they began quietly to draw away
forces to aid Pemberten. 1 pleaded for
an advaues, but not till June began did
Gen. Rosecrans begin seriously to medi-
tate IN immediate movement. 20.
"The army had grown anxious. with
the exception of its leading generals.
who seemed blind to the advantage Of
tho hour. In tho first week OF the
month council of war was called, and, Z,
out OF eighteen generals whose opinions
were asked. seventeen were opposed TO
an advance. was the only Que who
urged upon the general. the imperative
necessity Of striking a.blow at once,
while Bragg was weaker and we strong
or than ever before. wrote q acareful
review of the opinion OF tho generals.
and exhibited the facts, gathered from,
ample data. that he could throw i65 900
bayonets and sabres- against Brugg's
Al 900. allowing the most liberal esti-
mates OF his force. - .e.se- -
"Thls paper was drawn up on the
9th OF June. After its presentation and
Q full canvassing Of the situation. an
advance was agreed upon, but it was
delayed through days which seemed
months to me till the Oath, when it was
begun and ended, with what results
You know. The wisdom OF the move
mont was not only vindicated, but the
seventeen dissenting generals were
compelled to confess that if the move.
ment had been made ten days earlier,
while the weather was propitious, the
army OF Bragg would, iu all
probability, no longer exist. I shall
never cease to regret the sad delay
which lost US SO great an opportunity to
infitct mortal blow upon the center OF
the rebellion. The work OF expelling
Brsgg from Middle Tennessee occupied
nine days, and ended July 3, leaving
his troops In q. most disheartened. and
demoralized condition while our army
With . loss of less than one thousand
men. was in q lew days fuller Of poten.
tlal fight than ever before. ., 7's-
'On the 18:h inst, the bridges were
rebuilt and the cars were IN tull COM
municatIon from the Cumberland to the
Tsnnessee, 1 have since then urged,
with all.4he earnestness possess, a
rapid advance. while Bragg's army was
shattered and under cover. and before
Johnston and he could effect u junction
Thus far the general has been singular
ly dlsinclined to grasp the situation with
. strong hand and make the advantage
/ his own. I write this with more sorrow
than I can tell You, for 1 love every
bone in his body; and, next TO my de-
sire to see the rebellion blasted, is my
anxiety to see him blessed. But even
the breadth OF my love ls not sufficient
to cover this almost fatal delay
"My personal relations with General
sRosecrans are all that 1. could desire.
Officially share his councils and re-
sponsibilities, even more than 1 desire
bat beg you to know that this delay is
against my judgment and nay every
Wish. Pleasant as are my relations
here, would rather command bat
tallion that would follow, and strike and
| strike, than to hang back while such
golden moments are passing. But the
general and myself believe that can do
more service in my present place than
In command ot division, though am
aware that it is position that promises
better in the way oi promotion or .popn-
lar credit. But if this inaction eontin:
uss long, shall ask 10, be removed and
sent somewhere where / can be
part Of . working army. But do hope
that you will soon hear that this splen-
did army is at least trying to do Its
part iL the great work. =. II the war de-
partment has not always been just. it
has certainly becu very indulgsnt to
this army. But feel that the time has
now come when it should ailsw no plea
10 keep this army back from the most
vigorous activity. f ..
Il do hope that no hopes OF peace or
submissive terms on the part OF the reb-
els will lead the government to delay
the draft and the vigorous prosecution
OF the war. IinleU Dana0s ct doea
fersntcs. Let the nation now display
the majesty OF its. power, and the work
will speedily end. hope you will par
don this lengthy letter; In, wanted
you to know how the case stands, and
was unwilling to hafe you think me
satisfied with the delays here.
"With kindest regards. am, as ever.