The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-08

it, dated from July !, 1852, the day of his
battle with Chalmers. He was not placed
at the head Of cavalry brigade, how.
ever, but was given division Of infantry
in the Army Of the Cumberland, where
he soon again came under the immediate
command Of Rosecrans. Rosecrans sue
ceeded General Buell. at the head Of the
Army Of the Cumberland Oct. 20, 1862.
That army was the main reliance Of the
west for the defense of the border and
for the capture Of Chattanooga, and great
hopes were centered upon Its new gener-
al, the hero of Corinth. The forces as
signed him were concentrated at Nash.
vile, and he set to work vigorously to
organize them on fighting basis. There
was no cavalry division or corps, the
eight mounted regiments in the depart
ment being attached to infantry divi.
sions. After persistent urging he sue.
ceeded in uniting them in one division
under General D. M. Stanley, who had
served with him at Corinth.
At the end of six weeks the army was
still at Nashville, and the administration
began to mistrust the new commander.
General Halleck wrote to him on Dec. 4
that he Halleck) had twice been asked to
designate some one else for the place,
adding, "If you remain one week more at
Nashville, cannot prevent your remov-
al" Rosecrans replied to the effect that
he had delayed no longer than was nee.
essary, naming the obstacle encountered
and closing with spirited rejoinder. "If
the government which ordered me here
confdes in my judgment" he wrote, lit
may rely on my continuing to do what l
have been trying to do-that is, my whole
duty. If my superiors have lost conf
dence in me, they had better put some
one else in my place and let the future
test the propriety of the charge. +" =
To threats of removal / must be permit
ted to say that am insensible."
Three weeks later he marched south
ward to attack the enemy under Bragg
at Murfreesboro, on Stone river. On
the 30th the armies were in collision On
the banks of the river, and on the 31st
Rosecrans set his columns in motion to at
tack. At6o'clock that morning he sat on
his horse on knoll overlooking the field,
surrounded by his staff, ready to super
intend the execution of his plan, which
was to thrust out his extreme left, support
the movement by advancing his center
and let the right wing hold fast. While
listening for the sound of the guns from
his left heavy guns opened on the right,
followed speedily by the roar of heavy
musketry. In few moments staff Off
GERS began to come in with stories Of a
terrible disaster on the right, and whole
regiments of soldiers flying in panic to
the rear confirmed the news. The sud
den turn of affairs, instead Of unman-
ming the general, nerved him with lion
hearted courage. To an aid bringing a
message from General McCook, COM
manding the right wing, pleading for re-
endorsements he said, "Tell General Nc
Cook to contest every inch of the
ground" and threw himself into the
work of saving the line. The reserves
of the center were moved to the right
The advancing columns of the left, hav-
ing waded the river to attack according
to programme, were recalled, and they
came back dripping with water to take
their placesin anew line of battle formed
in rear of McCook.