Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-09
Gen. Garfield and Gen. Hosecrans.

AN UNPUBLISHED LETTER FROM GEN. GARFIELD TO MR..
CHASE CONTAINING AGAINST RoSECRAss.
The New York Sun publishes the following let
ter marked "Con1iental" over the date:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE \
CUMBERLAND, NASHVILLE, July q, 1868 I
MY DEAR GOVERNOR: 1 have fer long time
wantei TO Write to you, not only to acknowledge
your last kind letter but also to say some fhinoS
conidentially on the movements in this depart
inent; but have refrained hitherto, lest 90 in-
1asGe 10 sooa NAM and say 70 you things which
Reached point upon which feel IL proper, and
also due to that kind opinion which believe you
ton OF affairs here.
Icannot conceal from You the fact that have
been great tried and diss ttsed With the slow pro-
greSS that we have made in this department since
tle battle OF Stone River. will Say IN tie outset
that 1t would he in the highest degree unjust say
! that the 16s days which elapsed between
the battle. OF Stone River and the next
advance or this army were spent in Idle
ness Or trihing. During that period was
performed the enormous and highly import mt la
Dor which made the Army OF the Cumberland
what IL is, in many respects by far the best the
prior to our late movement, could not but feel
that there was not that live and earnest determtn-
the scale and make its power felt in crushing the
Shell or the rebellion. have no words to tell YOU
with how restive and unsatisied spirit 1 waited
and plead for striking sturdy blow. / could not
Justly say we were in any proper condition to ad-
Vance TIL the early days OF May. AT that time the
a, strinss BEGAN to draw SHARPLY upon the rebels,
began 10 fear Tor the safety OF VickSbur,, and be-
fore the middle Of May they began quietly to draw
away forces TO aid Pembertor. l plead for an
advance, but not till JUNE began did Gen Rose
Grains begin seriously TO medltate an immediate
movement. TIE army had grown ANXIOUS with
the exception OF its leading generals, who seemed
biina To the advantages Oh tie hour. In the first
week OF the month council OF was
called, and out OF ei 5hteen generals whose
opinion was asked seventeen were opposed to an
alvance. l was tie only one who urged upon the
General the imperative necessity OF striking a
Vas pak ma we.
stronger than ever before. l wrote Il careful re-
view OF the opinions Oh the generals and exhibited
throw o., ,Oo0 bayOnets and SabreS against Bragg'S
eco, allowing the most liberal estimates OF MS
force. This paper was drawn up on the sth or
June. After its presentation, and u full canvass
Ing Of the situation, an advance was agreed upon;
but It was delayed through days winch seemed
months TO me- Till the 24th, when it was be un
and ended with what results you know. The wis
dom OF the movement WAS not only vindicated, but
the seventeen dissenting generals were compelled
to confess that il the movement had been made
ten days earlier, while the weather was pro-
pit.Sus, the army OF Bragg would, in all human
prODiDity. no longer exist shall never cease
to regret the sad delay which lost Us SO great
an an opportunity to inf,ct mortal blow upon
Ing Bragg from middle Tennessee occupied nine
days and ended July 3, leaving his troops in "A
Willie our army, with a loss OF less than 1000 men,
was, In few days, fuller OF potential nsnt than
On the 18th inst the bridges were rebuilt, and
the cars were in full communication from the
Cumberland to the Tennessee have since then
urged with all the earneStness possess a rapid
advance, while Braggs army was shattered and
under cover, and before Johnston and he could
effect junction. Thus far the general has been
S1ngulariy dtsinclned TO grasp the situation with
strong hand, and make the advantage his own.
write this with more sorrow than can tell you,
lor love every bone In his body. and, next to my
desire to see the rebellion blasted, is my anxiety
to see him blessed. But even the breadth
OF my love is not sufficient to cover this
almost fatal delay. My personal relations with
Gen RoSecrans are all that could desire.
even more than desire, but beg you to know
that this delay is against my judgment and my
every wish Pleasant as are my relations here, /
would rather command a battalion that would fol-
back while such golden moments are passing.
But the General and myself believe that can do
more service In my present place than In COIN
mand OF a DIVISION though am aware that IL Is a
ton or popular credit. But II this inaction co;l
tinueS long, Shall ask to be relieved and sent
somewhere where can be part OF working
army.
But do hope that you will soon hear that this
splendid army Is at least trying TO do its part ia
the great WORK.
II the War department has not always been Just,
1t has certainly been very indulgent 10 this army.
But feel that the time has now come when lt
should allow no plea TO keep this army back from
do hope that ID hopes Of peace or submissive
terms On the part OF the rebels will lead the gov
ernment To delay the draft and the vigorous prose-
cution OF the war; TihaeO Ddaa0s ct d0nd fereates
Let the nation now display the maltsty OF its
power, and the work Will be speedily ended.
hope you will pardon this lengthy letter; but
wanted you to know how the case stands, and
was unwilling TO have you think me sltsfied with
the delays here. With kindest regards, am, as
ever, your friend, j. A GARFIELD.
Hon. s n Chase