The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-11


and prisoners. Rosecrans Immediately
threw out pursuing column and har-
assed the retreat AZ every step until re-
called by an order from General Grant
on the Sth. The termination OF the af-
fair gave rise To the endless differences
between Grant and Rosecrans. Corinth,
the key TO the railroad system of the
west, had been saved, but Rosecrans was
anxious to push on toward the interior
and the gulf. In a series of dispatches
sent to Grant within three days after the
battle he used these aggressive phrases:
81 propose to push the enemy" II most
deeply dissent from your views as TO the
manner of pursuing" "All that is need
full is to continue, pursuing and whip
them, and 1--WE have whipped and should
now push them to the wall"
To two dispatches from Grant order
ing him to return 10 Corinth he re-
manned deaf, but on receipt of third
yielded. HE explanation afterward was:
"If Grant had not stopped MS, we could
have gone TO Vicksburg. We
were about six days march from Vicks-
burg. and Grant could have put his force
through to it with my column as the CEN
ter one of pursuit"
The victory at Corinth at once lifted
Rosecrans into prominence. He was
new light in the west, where an unequiv-
ocal Union victory had not been gained
since Donelson, nine months before. A
1ew commander was wanted for the
Army of the Cumberland, in front of
which in middle Tennessee lay the ag-
gressive strength of the Confederacy in
the west-the combined forces of Bragg
and Kirby Smith. Rosecrans was given
the place. With the rise of Rosecrans'
fortunes the fortunes Of Phil Sheridan
were identified, for Rosecrans was the
discoverer of that officers ability. Sheri-
dan was colonel of the Second Michigan
cavalry when Rosecrans assumed COM
mand of the army at Corinth, On July
he fought even handed for eight hours
with Chalmers noted troopers and came
off victor Rosecrans complimented him
in a general order and telegraphed to
General Halleck, his superior at that
time, saying: More cavalry massed un-
der such leader would he of great use to
us. Sheridan ought TO be made "a briga-
dier. He would not be . stampeding
general"
Soon after, when Halleck became gen.
eral in chief in Washington. Rosecrans
and several of his subordinate generals
joined in the Endorsement of recon-
lnendation then before the president.
They wrote: The undersigned respect
fully beg that you will obtain the promo
tion of Sheridan. He is worth his weight
in gold.' This persistehcy in pushing
Sheridan was ali the more remarkable
coming from Rosecrans, who, according
TO his critics, was at disadvantage
throughout his military career because
he was poor Judge of human nature.
Sheridan might have made his mark any
way, but chance is everything TO SOL
dier. His promotion, when finally he got
it, dated from July 1, 1862, 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, 1852
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 ID. II 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 Hallecl; wrote TO him ON Dec.
that he CHalleckl 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 90 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
conides in my Judgment he wrote, lit
may rely ON my continuing to do what |
have been trying TO do--thati is, my whole
duty. II my superiors have lost conf
dence in me. they had better put some
one else in my place and let tho future
test the propriety of the charge. =
To threats OF removal 1 must he permit
ted TO say that am insensble."
Three weeks later he marched south
ward To attack the enemy under Bragg
at Murfreesloro, on Stone river. On
the Both the armies were in collision on
the banks Of the river, and on the 3lst
Rosecranssct his columns in motion toat-
tack. At6o'clock that morning he sat on
his horse ona knoll overlooking the field.
surrounded by his stan. ready TO super
intend the execution Of his plan. which
was to thru,tout lis extreme lift, support
the movement los advancing his center