The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-03-12

overwhelming disaster to the Federals, but
II had called into action every resource Of
Rosecrans' army, while the Confederates
still had reserves.
The next morning Bragg who had been
strengthening his position all night, began
determined attack, and in q short time
the engagement was under full swing all
along the line. In the heat of the battle
General Thomas Il. Wood, a division COM
marder, through a misapprehension of his
orders, broke the line of battle and marched
To the rear of another division. Longstreet
perceived the gap and threw Hood and his
command into il. This lost the battle on
the right, the Federal troops broke, and the
Confederates advanced almost without op-
position. Rosecrans was himself caught in
the rut and was forced to hasten TO Chat
tanooga To prepare for the inevitable re-
treat and defense. Garfield, his chief of
staff, was sent to General Thomas to inform
him of what had happened and of plans for
the future. Thomas was equal to the oc-
casion and fell back in good order, his cool
ness and ability saving the routed right
from humiliation. Rosecrans had COM
pleted his preparations for defense by the
time that Thomas forces reached Chatta-
nooga, and Bragg's victory did not count
for anything bat possession of the battle
ground. Rosecrans lost nearly IL 900 men,
somewhat less than Bragg. Rosecrans was
relieved of his command as soon as posi-
bic, but was later put in charge of the de-
partment of Missouri in place of General
Schofield. Rosecrans was not, however, in
any better odor with his superiors than be-
fore, and his occupancy of Missouri was not
marked by any notable events Dec. Q, 1864,
he was relieved of his command without
warning or explanation. In 1866 he was
mustered out of the volunteer service and
resigned from the army in 1867
Rosecrans and His Soldiers.
Rosecrans was a man of action in every
essential. His executive ability was inn
mense. His industry was untiring. He
spared neither himself nor his subordi-
mates. Staff officers rarely lasted long with
him, though they remained as long as ma
ture would sustain their ambition He was
always ready for work in headquarters at
10 o'clock. Being devoted Catholic he
rose early on Sundays and Wednesdays and
attended mass. He did not often retire till
2 o'clock in the morning, frequently not be-
fore 4, and sometimes remained at work till
broad daylight. 1t was not unusual for his
aids to fall asleep In their chairs while he
was still eagerly continuing his work over
his charts, and when he saw their extreme
WEAKNESS he would look at them compass
and waking them send them to
bed with an admonition as to their sleep.
Whenever he found time in the afternoon
he used to ride out through the camp and |
review and inspect the troops. On such oc-
casions his great popularity was evinced by |
the rousing cheers with which he was re- |
ceived. His manner at once engendered a |
genuine cordiality between officer and men. |
The latter became convinced that their COM |
mander took personal interest in their |
welfare, although be examined their condi- |
tion and equipments with the most exact
ing scrutiny
General Rosecrans was keen observer,
and he was noted because of the close at !
tention he gave to the confguration of any |
section of country through which he might |
be passing and the knowledge of it's mill
tary characteristics which he would absorb
He paid great attention to details, and |
therein lay perhaps an element of weak
ness, for it took up much of his time and |
energy. 1t is claimed by his friends that |
he did himself was well done, and |
that all his failures may be traced to the
or lack Of energy of subor-
dinates His critics rejoin that even if this
view be correct it argues fatal defect in
his makeup-a lack of knowledge of human
nature
How He Told the Story.
Rosecrans did not consult with the men,
bers OF his staff as freely as some command
ing generals, but in General Thomas
Pap" Thomas, the boys called him-he
placed the utmost confidence, and with him
he consulted often. 1t was General Thorn
rs to whom his command was turned over
after Chickamauga, and Rosecrans at a re-
union held in Washington same years ago
told the story of how they met after the or
der to turn his command over came 1t
was in Rosecrans' tent at Chattanooga that !
the interview took place. The relieving
order came at night, and Rosecrans sent for
Thomas. He came alone to the tent"
said Rosecrans. II handed him the letter.
He read it, and as he did so his breast began
to swell, and he turned pale. He did not
want to accept the command, but we agreed
upon consideration that he must do so. |
told him that could not bear to meet nv
troops afterward. i want to leave said |,
before the announcement is made and
will start in the early morning. packed
mp that night, and the next morning at
about o'clock | rode away through the fog
which then hung over the camp. The best
Of relations prevailed between General
Thomas and myself, and as to the state
ment that he considered himself my supe-
nor and obeyed my orders through sense
Df duty it is not So"
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