| The New York Times, October 22, 1863. . . . | ||||
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THE REMOVAL OF GEN. ROSECRANS. Some of the Government's Reasons for the Step. |
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WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Oct. 21.
The removal of ROSECRANS is the subject of much and
contradictory comment. The more correct understanding of the
causes that led to it is that charges were preferred against him
by Gens. McCOOK and CRITTENDEN of unofficer-like conduct on the
battle-field, of a panic-stricken flight from the field to
Chattanooga, while the battle was in its crisis, and of his
unsoldierly and mischievous conduct in publicly reporting, on
reaching Chattanooga, to both officers and men that the day was
lost. Superadded to this is alleged Governmental resentment of
his disobedience of positive orders not to risk a general
engagement by advancing beyond Chattanooga before he was
reinforced; also, its impatience of his disposition and handling
his troops on the field.
The reputation for courage that he won at Stone River is
plead in bar to the imputation of cowardice in his abandonment
of the battle ground, and his friends attribute it to a mistaken
impression that his army had been wholly whipped and was wholly
on the retreat. The replication to this is that such a mistake
is a complete disqualification for command.
The statement acquiring growth that he had an attack of
epilepsy during the battle and that he was subject to that
disease, is untrue; but that he was constitutionally and by
education subject to fits of religious depression of the
profoundest character, is correct, though he was an austere
Roman Catholic, as is well known. In connection with this is it
may not be unsuitable to add that it is understood that the
fourth specification of the preferred charge is an excessive use
of opium.
The relations between Gen ROSECRANS and General-in-Chief
HALLECK, have been bad. A sharp correspondence took place
between them after the battle of Chattanooga, and before that
the Government had found fault with his military conduct on
several occasions, and he had retorted by charges of neglect by
the Government and want of support.
His removal has been in contemplation for some time.
The New York Times
Published: October 22. 1863
Copyright © The New York Times http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9406E6D6163EEE34BC4A51DFB6678388679FDE |
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| Return to General Rosecrans: Part 4 Civil War |
(10/22/2010) |
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