The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-04-14
Terse, Telling Reports to War
Department from the Front.
Siege of Chattanooga Discouraging
Period-Dana's Comments on Roseerans's
ManaGsment-How the Situation was Re-
1ieved.
(CoPYRIGHT.)
VIII.


j
ton with Gen. Rosecrans upon the situation
He says the possession of the river as far up
rs the head of Williams's Island, at least, is
sine qua non to the holding of Chattanooga,
but that it is impossible for him to make
any movement toward gaining such possession
until Gen. Rockers troops are concentrated
and his transportation gets up.
Hookers troops are now scattered along
the line of the railroad, and cannot be got
together before next Wednesday. The
wagons must all have arrived by that time,
and if the enemy does not interfere sooner
the movement upon Raccoon Mountain and
Lookout Valley may then be attempted
ROsecrans, however, expects that as soon as
the weather will allow the enemy will cross
the river in force on our left, and then it will
be necessary for us to fight battle or else
to retreat from here and attempt to hold the
line of the Cumberland Mountains.
Such movement against this army he thinks
will be made only in the event that they ac-
emulate here force enormously superior to
ours, so that we should fight, if at all, at
great disadvantage. 1t is his opinion that
they are collecting such force, because, first,
it is amiltary probability; secondly, we hear
of their gathering men here from every place
whence troops can be scraped; thirdly, most
VI IlIO NtocittlS ltpltScDU IIIBlI uuIlDtiS dS
greatly increased, and q smart negro boy,
who came in this morning said that two train
loads arrived at Chickamauga Station yester-
day, and they are coming all the time. But
Gen. ROsecrans says he inclines to the opinion
that they will rather attempt to crush Burn
side first
The same negro boy reports that he heard
Jefferson Davis say in a speech at Chicka-
manga Station last Saturday that they would
have East Tennessee if it took every soldier
in the South.
When suggested that his animals were too
weak to move the army with any promptnes5
and efficacy, Rosecrans answered that the case
was by no means so bad as supposed. 1t was
true, he said, that the mules were a great
deal worn down, but both they and the artil-
lery horses were still capable of use. But even
if he could get along without being obliged to
eyacuate Chattanooga, he said it was certain
that even with Hooker he is too weak for any
offensive movement. 1t is his opinion that
100, 900 to 125, 900 men is the smallest army
with which such movement can be made
upon Atlanta, with reasonable certainty of
success.
FEARS OF REBEL PLANS.
The army began to be thoroughly
alarmed, lest the rebels should move
around them, and get between them and
Nashville.
Oct. II; 10 a. m.-Skies clear; barometer
indicates fair weather. Courier from Burn
side reports rains much heavier in East Ten
nessee than here, and streams more swollen.
Tennessee here still rising, but Sequatchie
falling. Wagons will probably be able to
ford near Jasper to-day. Col. Atkins, conf
manding at Dallas Harrison's Landing1 re-
ports some small indications of rebel purpose
to cross in that vicinity.
Atlanta papers of 18th report that previous
to jeff, Davis's visit here he sent an Aid, who
reported that the discussions in Bragg's army
could only be composed by Davis himself
Deserters report rebel bridge across Chicka-
manga carried away, and army on short
rations in consequence.
No news from Sherman. Weather warm.
ROsECRANs's INEFFICIENCY.
The same day Dana returns to the
old theme of Rosecranss inability to
command the army, and cope with the
situation. He says:
II a. m.:The general organization of this |
army is inefficient and its discipline defective.
The former proceeds from the fact that Gen |
aosecrans insists ON personally directing
very department, and keeps everyone wait
ng and uncertain till he himself can directly |
every operation. The latter pro-
,eeds from his utter lack of firmness. his |
passion for universal applause, and his in
:apacity to hurt any mans feelings by Just |
severity It is certain that if it had been |
eff to him, McCook and Crittenden might |
10 EE- Lost nfbnr hattlac nnI LODI 9th
fields without word of censure
AS l have already reported, McCook got |
rom him whitewashing letter, and Crit
enden might have got one had he not been
90 proud to ask for it. In the same way he
gave Negley similar letter, although he had
repeatedly declared that he ought to be shot,
md although the official reports of Gen.
Brannan, Gen. Wood and Col Harker leave,
40 doubt Of his guilt.
| learn, on the best evidence, that n few
months ago Gen. Stanley defeated an i'm
)ortant operation by being drunk at the
,ritical moment, and that he has repeatedly
)een guilty Of that offense while in the dis
,harge of the most important duties in the
ield, yet Gen. Rosecrans has never taken any
iotice of the fact. He cannot bear to hurt
SANKEY'S feelings, and prefers, instead to
eopardize the cause of the country
Another illustration is found in the case of
len. Rousseau, who is disconnected because |
lie only commands division Gen Rose
rams told me on Thursday that he was think
ne Of giving him the command of all Ten
lessee lately held by Granger, and requiring
Ill his extraordinary talent, quickness, and
mercy.
There is thus practically no discipline for
hyperion officers, and Of course the evil,
hough less pernicious in the lower grades,
S everywhere perceptible.
MORE DIsCoURAGEMEyT
The next day the dispiriting rains set
II again, and the hopes Of the army
'egan to ebb. Dana telegraphs:
Oct. 18; II a m.-Rain began about mid
light and still continues but the barometer
S rising and the wind has shifted, so that we
lope for the final cessation of the storm.
Meanwhile, our condition and prospects
row worse and worse. The roads are in
uch state that wagons are eight days max
ng the journey kom Stevenson to Chatta-
looga, and some which left on the 10th have
lot yet arrived. Though subsistence stores
re so nearly exhausted here, the wagons are
compelled to throw overheard portions of
heir precious cargo in order to get through
It all. The returning trains have now for
ONE days been stopped ON this side of the
'equatchie, and civilian who reached here
astnight states that he saw fully 500 teams
latu &a,, I'D h., l