The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-05
GEN. R0SECRANS DYING
AT THE POINT or DEATH IN HIS
CALIFORNIA RANCH HOME.
Last Rites OF the Catholic Church
Performed by Bishop Montgomery
Sketch of His Career.

Los ANGELES, Cal, March d.--General
William Starke Rosecrans is at tho point
of death at his ranch, a few miles from
this city. Bishop Montgomery visited the
general to-day and performed in part the
last rites OF the Roman Catholic Church.
| The attending physicians say the general
has fighting chance for his life. His son,
Carl f. Rosecrans, and his family are at
his bedside and his daughter Mrs. Toole,
and Ex-Governor Toole, of Montana, are
within convenient reach.
General Rosecrans was born in Kingston,
o., Sept c, 1919. Choosing the life of sol
der, he was educated at West Point, where
he was graduated July l. 1912. He served as
second lieutenant in the United States
Corps of Engineers in April, 1872 After
this he was assistant to Colonel De Russy
at Fortress Monroe. From 1913 TO 1Sl7 he
was an assistant professor at the Military
Academy, West Point. His next response
bility was the charge of the fortifcations
at Newport r. H., which he held from 1SA7
to 1852. During these five years he also had
charge of the surveys and reports for the
Improvement of New Bedford harbor,
Providence harbor and Taunton river. In
1852 he acted as civil and constructing engi-
neer in the navy yard at Washington, -.
G. He resigned this employment the fol-
lowing year and during the next eight
years, ending in 1861 was consulting engi-
neer and manufacturer of coal oil ana prus-
state of potash.
on June 10, 1861, Roseerans was commits
stoned chief engineer of the State of OHIO,
with the rank of colonel. The same month
he was commissioned a colonel OF the
United States Volunteer Infantry. Ills pro
motion to be brigadier general of the United
States army was also given him in the year
1861. He held that rank until 1887. when he
resigned his commission and went to Cali
fornia.
In the terrible years of the war the name
of RoSecrans was conspicuous among those
of the gallant defenders of the Union. He
was second in command to General McClel-
Ian in West Virginia, where his brigade won
the battle of Rich Mountain, which estab-
lished the supremacy of the Union in West
Virginia. While he was commander Of the
Department of the Ohio, embracing the
States of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and West
Virginia, 1S61-62 West Virginia was firmly
established as a State and freed from guer-
rila warfare. General Rosecrans's valuable
services in gaining these advantages We're
recognized by the legislatures of Ohio and
West Virginia in unanimous votes of
thanks
While in command of the Army of the
Rosecrans was victor at the battle of luka,
Sept. 10, 1862. He was commissioned ma
ior general of volunteers on Aug. 16, 1862.
The commission was subsequently auto
dated to March 10, 1862. On Oct. 3 and 4,
1862, he won the battle of Corinth. A short
time after he was relieved from the COM
natl.
On Oct 81, 1862, he was given command
OF the Fourteenth Army Corps. and also OF
the Department of the Cumberland: While
holding these positions he reorganiZed the
command. repaired the Louisville & Nash
vile Railroad, fortified Nashville as
primary depot, wont the battle of stone
River, fortified Murfreesboro as a secondary
depot and frcm June 23 to July A. 1863, made
the camraign of Tallahoma, which resulted
j nthe expulsion of the Confederate army
from Mississippi. His services also included
the rebuilding of railroads and bridges in
the district under his command. Crossing
the Cumberland mountains. General Rose
Grams fought the battle of Chickamauga,
Sept. 10 and 90 1863, and took and held
Chattanooga. A month later he was or
dered to Cincinnati to await instructions.
He resumed active military operations on
Jan. g. 1864, in command of the Depart
ment of Missouri. His chief service in this
capacity was repelling an invasion by a
Confederate army under the command OF
General Price. Near the close of the year
he was relieved of his command
He was mustered out of the volunteer
service and in 1857 resigned his commits
sionas brigadier general in the United States
army. The same year he was offered the
SUPPLEMENTARY of the California branch
mint at San Francisco. He declined the
appointment. and subsequently refused the
Democratic nomination for Governor of
California. General Rosecrans was a rep
resentative in the Forty-seventh and Forty
eighth Congresses and later was register OF
the treasury.