The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-03-14
GnrlIeId nt ChIeknmnnEa.

Appropos to the Washington dispatch in
this issue OF the ISrELLlGEScER that Rose
Grams has concluded to neither say or write
aword in regard to the subject matter of
the Garfield Chase letter, it is perhaps just
as we'll for the General that he has come TO
this conclusion. The Cincinnati CONNER
eial, with a good personal feeling Oh the
part OF its editor towards Rosecrans, seems
to think that the less that is said about his
record as the head Of the army of the Cum
berland, tho better. And the Chicago
Hme' not restrained by the considerations
that operate upon the Commercial, is Of the
same opinion, and enumerates several rea.
sons why it is just, as well to let the matter
rest. 1t says:
That RoseCrans had many excellent
qualifications Tor the command ola army,
Is unquestionable; that he was too cautious
aud spent more ttmettan wGs really ncces.
sarynin getting ready, is quite possible; it is
certain that for nearly six months HaIleck
was trying to get him toadvance, and after
he had induced him to do SO he had to re-
peat his orders, and then, in replying to
the argument OF Rosecrans for discretion
in obeying, he telegraphed that the orders
were peremptory. General Gartleld's com.
plant 10 Chase about RosecraRs'
dilatorinesss was indeiensible accord.
ing to army etiquette; but il
II meant no more than what it said; II
1t was not an attack on Rosecrans, or an
effort to get him removed, but simply
disclaimer to Chase Of responsibility on his
own part for the delay that HAlleck was
complaining Of, he may have felt perfectly
justified in writing to Rosecrans, two years
ago, that he had never been untrue to him;
though it would have been more candid in
him, TO say the least, had he told Rose
Grams precisely what he did write 10 Chase
and why he wrote i, But Rosecrans will
not gain great deal by airing the opera.
lions OF the Army Of the Cumberland in
1868.
This is on the whole a Just criticism. It
would have been better had Garfield told
Rosectans just what he did write to Chase,
IL he was able to recall it at the time Of
his letter in January, 1880. That his let
ter,as to its criticisms OF Rosecrans'i nae.ion,
was Just, the weight Of corroboating testi-
mony goes to show. In Van Horne's
,History Of tho Army OF tho Cumber-
land" published seven years ago, there is
the following account Of the events refer
red to in General GarReld's letter to secre-
rotary Chase:
During tho six months Of the army's en-
campmentat MurfreesbOro there
was an earnest and protracted discussion
between General Halleck, commander.in-
chief, aud General Rosecrans with regard
to an aggressive campaign, and from the
first months Of the year the latter was
urged to advance against General Bragg, in
position on Duck river. After Gen. Grant
had commenced his campaign against
Nicksburg, General Halleck became more
urgent. General RoseCrans was
restrained from active operations, as lie
claimed, first by the character OF the roads
In middle Tennessee in winter,
and then by delay in the enlarge
ment Of his cavalry arm, and the
lack Of animals for transportation, and the
wantot forage. He also assumed the ground
that military considerations forbade his nd.
vance while General Grants campaign was
In progress - Thus the spring passed
away before General Rosccrans deemed
himself prepared to advance. sSO Still,
by the LIST oil June the more especial fndica.
cations Of an advance began to appear. .
General Rosecrans, however, still DELAYED
and about the, 10Th Of June he invited a
formal expression OF opinion with regard
to an advance against the enemy from his
corps and division general& He was sus.
tanned in his delay by his subortinatcs
generally, though General Garfield, his
chiei Of stat, urged upon him speedy
movement tor reasons both military and
political. and chiefly upon the ground that
he could advance with o., 1877 bayopets and
sabers against an army Of ~, ESQ men, as he
estimated the strength OF General Braggs
army. BY tue sd of June the question Of
advance was fully solved, and orders were
Issued for the movement Of the army
This Is followed by q letter from General
Rosecrans to Gen. Halleek, dated June q,
1858, only TIVE days before the adyaneewas