Daily Republican., 1882-03-10
A LEAF or WAR HlsrORY.
Aew Ex. President Garaeia Re.
gsrded Rener Rosoersua Letter.

General Rosecrans, in q reoen tly pub
lished interview, emphatically denied
the previously reported statement that
his removal from the command OF the
Army Of the Cumberland In 1868 was
due TO the adverse influences OF his then
chief Of staff, General James A. Garfield.
, In support of his theory he gave Tor
pu blicatiOn copy Of d letter declared
A. follows: 81 have never bsen untrue
to you In thought, word or dsei, Danna
OF any other liar 70 ths contrary notwith.
standing"
| L.ans's New York Sun publishes,
without comment or explanation as to
how 1t was obtained, the following re-
markable letter:
l Con6dcatial. s.
| HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF
THE CUMBERLAND, NASHVILLE, July
IG, 1S63:-My Dear Governor I have
for long time wanted to write to you,
not only 10 ackno Wedge your last kind
letter, but also to say some things con.
tdentially on the movements in this
department; but l have refrained hith.
erto, lest do njustice TO a good man,
and say TO you things which were better
left uusaid. We have now, however,
reached point upon which feel it
proper, and also due to that kind opin.
ion which believe you have had OF me
to acquaint you with the condition or
affairs here.
| cannot conceal from yon the fact
that have been Greatly tried and dis
satisfied with the slow progress that We
have made in this department since the
a M iva I l.
outset that 1t would be in the highest
degree uljust TO say that the 1872 DAYS
which elapsed between the battle of
Stone River and the next advance of
this army was spent in idieness or
tritiing.
During that period was performed
the enormous and highly important la.
tor which made the Army of the Cum
berland what it is, IN many respects
by tar the best the country has ever
known. But for many weeks prior to
our late movement, | could not but feel
that there was not that live and earnest
determination to fling the great weight
OF this army into the &C lleand make It's
power felt in crushing the shell of the
Rebellion. | have no words to tel, YOU
with how restlve and uns itistied "a
spirit waited and plead for striking a
sturdy blow. could not justly say we
were in any proper condition to ad-
vance till the earlv days of May. At
one time the strings began to draw
sharply upon the heels of the rebels
both on the Mississippi and in the
East. They began TO fear for tbs safety
of Nlcksburg, and before the middle of
Nav fhap h.nln ,,iatl,,
forces to aid Pdmberton. plead for an
advance, hut not until June began did
Gen. kostcrans begin seriously 10 med.
itate an immediate movement
The army had growu anxious, with |
the exception of its leading Generals
who seemed blind 10 the advantage of
the hour. In the FIRST week ofthe month |
council OF war wxs called, aid out of |
eighteen Generals whose opinion was
asked seventeen were opposed to al ad.
vance. was the anl y QUE who urged up
on the General tho imperative necessity |
OF striking . blow at once, while Bragg
was weaker and we stronger than ever
before. | wrote careful reviewof the
oplnIons of the Generals, anu exhibited
the TACT, gathered from ample data
that we could throw $4,000 bayouets
and saores aginst Hragg's a 900, al.
lowing the most liberal estimate OF his
force. This paper was drawn up on
the 9th OF June After its presentation
and u full csnyassing of the situation,
an advance was agreed upon; but it
was delayed through days which seem
ell months to me, TIL the "A RI, when it
was begun and ended with what results
you know.
The wisdom of the movement was
not only vindicated, but the seventeen
aissehting Generals were comp elied to
confess that If the movement had been
made ten days earlier, Ahile the wealth
or was propitious, the army of Bragg
would, III all human probability, no /
longer exist. | shall never cease :. rs
gret the sad delay which lost us 40 5
great an opportunity to intlict NOR. i
tai blow upon ths center of the Rebel (
lion. The work of expelliug Bragg a
from middle Tennessee occupied niue ! 4
lays and ended July 3, leaving his +
troops in most disheartened and de- T.
noralized condition, while our army. f
with loss of less than 1000 men, wa, r.
N few days fuller of potential fght RI
han ever before. tl
On the 18th inst the bridges W. re re-.
quilt, and the cars were in full COM
from the Cumberland to I.
no Iennessee. l have since then urged y
With all the earnestness possess a rap.
d advance, while Bragg's army was
hattered and under cover, and before
ohnston anu he could effect a iunc-
ion.
Thus far the General has been singu :,
arly disincllned 10 grasp the situation ~
With strong hand, and make the al ~
antage his own. | write this " ilh II
nore sorrow than | can tell you, for 4
've every boue in his b ,Iy, aud, next Ii,
0 my desire to see tt 9 Rebellion blast nc
d, IL my desir, to 'e him essed. Bl t bs
ven the breadth OF my love is not SUI. pe
clent to cover this almost fatal DELAY
~ present relations with Gen. Ros
rams are all that l could desire. Off. bu
lally, l share his Counsels and espon- re
|pllitles even more than | desire, but fl
beg you to know that this delay is W,
eainst my judgment and my every NJ
'lsh. Pleasant as are my relations an
ere. | would rather command a bat. Sp
slion that would follow and follow a d ne
'rlke aud strike than to hang back mi
lille such golden moments are passiug,
ut the General and myself believe
lat can do more service in my pres in
1t pi ace that in command of div sion mc
lough am aware that it is a position 20
lat promises b tier in the way of pro- inc
otion OF popular crdit. But If this sal
action continnes long shall ask 10 Ma
relieved and sent somewhere where Ev
can be part of working army. Bile
But ! DO hope that you will soon hear
at this splendid army is at least
log to do its part in the great work. of
Ii the War Department has hot des
ways been Just, 1t has certainly been so
ry indulgent to this army. But say
81 that the time has now come when knt
should allow no plea to keep this
ny back from the most vigorous ac-
vity.
a hnnQ that oe | h<,