William Rosecrans

• 1. Ohio Farm And West Point

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  William Starke Rosecrans was born on a farm near Little Taylor Run in Kingston Township, Delaware County, Ohio. He grew up as the second of five sons to Crandall Rosecrans and Jemima Hopkins. His father had served as adjutant to General William Henry Harrison during the War of 1812 before running a tavern and store alongside their family farm. The family name derived from Dutch-Scandinavian nobleman Harmon Henrik Rosenkrantz who arrived in New Amsterdam in 1651. Rosecrans received little formal education in his early years but relied heavily on reading books. At age thirteen he left home to work as a store clerk in Utica and later Mansfield, Ohio. Unable to afford college tuition, Rosecrans decided to seek an appointment to the United States Military Academy. He interviewed with Congressman Alexander Harper who had reserved his son's appointment for himself. Harper became so impressed by Rosecrans that he nominated him instead. Despite lacking formal schooling, Rosecrans excelled academically at West Point particularly in mathematics, French, drawing, and English grammar. He graduated from West Point in 1842 fifth in his class of fifty-six cadets which included notable future generals such as James Longstreet and Abner Doubleday.

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• 2. Iuka And Corinth Campaigns

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  Rosecrans transferred to the Western theater in May 1862 receiving command of two divisions under Major General John Pope's Army of the Mississippi. Confederate Major General Sterling Price moved his army from Tupelo toward Nashville Tennessee in conjunction with Braxton Bragg's Kentucky offensive. Grant approved a plan proposed by Rosecrans to converge on Price with two columns before Earl Van Dorn could reinforce him. Rosecrans's army marched along the Mobile and Ohio Railroad swinging into Iuka from the southwest while Brigadier General Edward Ord advanced from the northwest. On September 19 fighting began when Rosecrans's lead element was struck suddenly by a Confederate division. The battle continued from four-thirty p.m. until after dark but an acoustic shadow prevented sound from reaching Ord who stood idly while fighting raged only miles away. Price had planned this withdrawal since September 18 and Rosecrans's attack merely delayed his departure. The Confederates used the road Union forces had not blocked meeting up with Van Dorn five days later. Grant partially accomplished his objective but Rosecrans failed to destroy the Confederate army or prevent it from linking up with Van Dorn threatening the critical railroad junction at Corinth.

• 3. Stones River And Tullahoma

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  In late December 1862 Rosecrans began marching against Bragg's Army of Tennessee encamped outside Murfreesboro Tennessee. The Battle of Stones River became the bloodiest battle of the war in terms of percentages of casualties. Bragg moved first early morning December 31 driving the Union army back into a small defensive perimeter. Rosecrans demonstrated nervous hyperactivity for which he was known in battle personally rallying men along the line giving direct orders to any brigades regiments or companies he encountered. His uniform became covered with blood from his friend and chief of staff Colonel Julius Garesché beheaded by a cannonball while riding alongside. The armies paused January 1 but the following day Bragg attacked again against a strong position on Rosecrans's left flank. The Union defense proved formidable repulsing the attack with heavy losses. Bragg withdrew his army to Tullahoma effectively ceding control of Middle Tennessee to the Union. President Abraham Lincoln wrote to Rosecrans stating "You gave us a hard-earned victory which had there been a defeat instead the nation could scarcely have lived over." Later that year Rosecrans executed the Tullahoma Campaign characterized by flawless maneuvers and very low casualties forcing Bragg to retreat back to Chattanooga.

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• 4. Chickamauga Disaster

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  The Battle of Chickamauga began September 19 with Bragg attacking the not fully concentrated Union army unable to break through Rosecrans's defensive positions initially. On the second day disaster befell Rosecrans in form of his poorly worded order responding to a poorly understood situation. The order directed to Brigadier General Thomas J. Wood stated "to close up and support [General Joseph J.] Reynolds's division" planning to fill an assumed gap in line. However Wood's subsequent movement actually opened up new division-sized gap in line. By coincidence Lieutenant General James Longstreet planned to lead massive assault in that very area Confederates exploited gap to full effect shattering Rosecrans's right flank. Majority units on Union right fell back in disorder toward Chattanooga. Rosecrans Garfield and two corps commanders joined them rushing to safety. Rosecrans decided proceed in haste to Chattanooga organizing returning men and city defenses sending Garfield to Major General George H. Thomas with orders taking command forces remaining at Chickamauga withdrawing. The Union army escaped complete destruction thanks to stout defense organized by Thomas on Horseshoe Ridge earning him nickname Rock of Chickamauga. Rosecrans remained physically exhausted and psychologically beaten man staying in Chattanooga while Grant later executed plan originally devised by Rosecrans opening Cracker Line resupplying army routing Bragg's army November 23-25 1863.

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• 5. Diplomacy And Congress

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  After the war Rosecrans became interested in railroads serving as one of eleven incorporators of Southern Pacific Railroad though valuable interests lost to unscrupulous financiers who were business partners. From 1868 to 1869 he served as U.S. Minister to Mexico replaced after just five months when old nemesis Ulysses Grant became president. During brief service convinced Mexico would benefit from narrow-gauge railway telegraph line Tampico coast venture failed 1869 through 1873. In 1880 Rosecrans elected U.S. Representative as Democrat from California's first congressional district same year James Garfield elected President Republican. Their former friendship irretrievably broken seeing Garfield campaign literature playing up role war at Rosecrans expense. After Garfield assassination Charles A. Dana capitalized tragedy publishing letters written Garfield after Chickamauga then-Secretary Treasury Salmon P. Chase letters major reason Rosecrans loss political support time. Reelected 1882 became chairman House Military Affairs Committee publicly opposing bill providing pension former President Grant wife. Unaware serious financial condition Grant family objected some official statements false known false time made shown official reports false cannot say people country business conducted rob poor people millions sent managers prison considered important principal manager allowed great name used instrument robbery.

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• 6. Coal Oil And Railroads

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  Rosecrans took over mining business Western Virginia running it extremely successfully designing installing one first complete lock dam systems Western Virginia Coal River recognized today Coal River Locks Dams Log Booms Archeological District. Cincinnati he two partners built one first oil refineries west Allegheny Mountains obtaining patents many inventions including first kerosene lamp successfully burn round wick more effective method manufacturing soap. While president Preston Coal Oil Company 1859 burned severely experimental safety oil lamp exploded setting refinery fire taking eighteen months recover resulting facial scars mostly covered beard gave appearance perpetual smirk. Recovered injuries working get company order Civil War began. Later life interested railroads valuable interests stock Southern Pacific Railroad lost unscrupulous financiers partners. In 1869 bought acres Rancho San Pedro Los Angeles basin $2.50 per acre low price possibly land deemed worthless lack spring water ranch dubbed Rosecrans Rancho bordered Florence Avenue north Redondo Beach Boulevard south Central Avenue east Arlington Avenue west. By time Rosecrans death son Carl living estate most land sold parcel parcel support financial needs mining ventures invested.

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• 7. Legacy And Monuments

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  Rosecrans reputation improved somewhat recent years historian Frank Varney presented case review book General Grant Rewriting History How Destruction General William S. Rosecrans Influenced Understanding Civil War. Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery San Diego California named honor Major streets named William Rosecrans include Rosecrans Avenue major east-west street runs southern part Los Angeles County Rosecrans Street San Diego runs near aforementioned cemetery. General Rosecrans Elementary School Rosecrans Acacia Avenues city Compton California Los Angeles suburb bears name General Rosecrans Elementary Sunbury Ohio. Memorial constructed site Rosecrans birthplace childhood home large boulder surrounded wrought iron fence holds plaque memoriam rests beside rural road bears name equestrian statue Rosecrans resting 55,000 pound black granite boulder located square surrounding Town Hall Sunbury Ohio. Headquarters buildup Chickamauga Campaign listed National Register Historic Places 1978 troop transport ship used early twentieth century saw service Pacific U.S.A.T. Rosecrans similarly named ship built Liberty Ship hull 570 Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation rated hold 504 troops. In February 1898 Rosecrans suffered cold turned pneumonia appeared recover successfully then learned one favorite grandchildren Rosecrans Toole son Lily Joseph Kemp Toole first Governor Montana died diphtheria seized grief health failed precipitously died the 11th of March 1898 Rancho Sausal Redondo Redondo Beach California casket lay state Los Angeles City Hall covered headquarters flag flew Stones River Chickamauga 1908 remains interred Arlington National Cemetery.

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