Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-11-02
GRANTS STORY OF THE BATTLE OF
CHATTANOOGA.

\ paper in the November Century, on
the battle Of Chattanooga, is from the pen
of the late General Grant. Indirectly,
and in some parts very directly, it is Sc
we're overhauling of General W. S. Rose
Grams for his management at and about
Chattanooga. In many respects it is a
criticism that cuts to the quick, and will
undoubtedly bring out General Rosecrans
in reply. For instance, when the latter
replied to General Hallecll's order to move
against the rebel forces under Bragg, that
1t was "a maxim of war not to fight two
decisive battles at the same time" he was
resisting the advice of Grant, who had
urged Halleck to order that movement.
If the maxim is true" SAYS General
Grant, lit was not applicable to Rose
Grams case" and he adds: at would be
bad to be defeated in two decisive battles
fought on the same day, but not to win
them. | was fighting no battle, and the
siege of Nicksburg had drawn from Rose
Grams front 50 many of the enemy that his
chances of victory We're much greater
than they would be if he waited until the
siege was over, when those troops could be
returned" Rosecrans finally did move,
but not till the troops were free to return
to Bragg. Then every energy was put
forth to reinforce Rosecrans, whose army
was in deplorable condition, and whose
situation was so critical that it may be
said the fate of the Union depended upon
it. He censures Rosecrans for pushing on
after Bragg with a weakened and scat
tered army, after he had driven the
latter beyond the Tennessee. As a re-
suit, Bragg turned and drove Rosecrans
TO the Chicamauga, where the latter was
badly defeated, and forced to retire to
Chattanooga with great loss. Shortly
after, Secretary Stanton went post haste to
meet Grant. They meet at Indianapolis,
Ind, and rode together to Louisville
Stanton there gave General Grant two
documents. Either one created and ap-
pointed him to the command of the Mill
tary Division of the Mississippi, embrac-
ing all the territory from the Alleghanies
to the Mississippi north of Banks COM
mand in the southwest. One retained the
department commanders as they were, the
other removed Rosecrans and substituted
Thomas. Grant choose the latter
document. \ day was spent in Louisville,
when there came to Mr. Stanton dispatch
from c. 4. Dana, stating that, unless pre-
vented, Rosecrans would retreat, and ad-
vising peremptory orders to forbid such an
act retreat at that time, says General
Grant, whould have been a terrible disas-
ter, and meant the annihilation of the
army 10y capture or Decentralization. At once
Grant wrote an order relieving RoSecrans,
and placing Thomas in command. He
teleSraphed TO the latter to hold Chatta-
noosa Al all hazards, and Thomas replied ::
We Will hold the town till we starye."
When Grant got there he saws he fully
appreciated how much that meant. when
ne saw the state in which the army was
for provisions, ammunition and horses. at
looked, indeed, as if but two courses were
open to 1t, to starve or to surrender" On
his way down he met Rosecrans, and had
an interview with him. He says that
Rosecrans gave him correct statement of
affairs at Chattanooga, and made excellent
suggestions as to what should be done He
adds: Ny only wonder was that he had
not carried them out" The editor of
the Century on receiving the paper asked
Grant if the situation of Bragg was not con-
sidered impregnable. The old soldier re-
piled with a shrewd look that accented the