Rosecran's Problems Were Mainly Logistical

wausaubob

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There's a lot of discussions of William Rosecrans the focus on Grant. Grant became President, and championed the 14th and 15th Amendments, so he is a noted figure in history and always draws controversy. Some bloggers have noted his conflicts with Stanton and the pressure applied on Rosecrans by Henry Halleck. Rosecrans' division commanders in his Cumberland Army were an undistinguished group, and he dismissed several with no decline in efficiency.
However, Rosecrans was in the least favorable theater in terms of logistics, because he did not have the Mississippi River nor Chesapeake Bay, nor proximity to Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia to ease the logistical problems.
His main logistical link was a single track railroad leading back to Nashville and Louisville, which was not built to maintain a moving city of 40,000 men and their livestock.
 
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The interface between the railroads and the army quartermaster department was being adjusted during the first two years of the war. But in the Kentucky/Tennessee theater there were also physical changes required.
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https://books.google.com/books?id=U...hur Edwards" Quartermaster Bridgeport&f=false p.402
 
General Rosecrans was also involved in adapting solutions to the logistical problem by anticipating that small steam barges could eliminate a large number of wagon trips between Bridgeport and Chattanooga.
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https://books.google.com/books?id=Ud8fejE_4XkC&pg=PA414&lpg=PA414&dq="Arthur+Edwards"+Quartermaster+Bridgeport&source=bl&ots=mLDe4VtjkS&sig=ACfU3U0fKeXKv8W4m3jfCIcRRoE9aERpcg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjd-PzV2IrwAhXOKM0KHWsSC5MQ6AEwC3oECBAQAw#v=onepage&q="Arthur Edwards" Quartermaster Bridgeport&f=false see page 414.
In his memoirs Grant recalled correctly that there was a saw mill and boats were built. But the engines were freighted in from the Ohio River.
For whatever reason he gave the credit for this step to William Smith, not Rosecrans. Most likely Smith took credit for something Rosecrans had set in motion. That would be consistent with Smith's consistent ability to cause trouble wherever he went.
But I will leave that to the experts.
 
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Rosecrans had no Navy. During the rainy seasons water transportation was used. Relying on the RR meant he needed Calvary to fend off NBF, JHM Wheeler and others. Washington didn’t understand this. Thought he needed no more than other theaters of the War. So he ask for repeating rifles and mounted Infantry on Mules. He also built Ft Rosecrans a forward operating base used to accumulate supplies. Took time to accumulate wagons. He used 4K Wagons on his approach to Chattanooga. He also had to repair all the RR Bridges across Rivers and other obstacles. It took 2 months for 2 contractors to rebuild the bridge over the TN River at Bridgeport. People don’t understand his supply depot was over 200 miles away from Murphreesboro. A long way to haul forage. It is remarkably what he accomplished just to get to Chattanooga.
 
The attention on his disputes with other generals is distracting. The size of the railroad investment, joined with the transport fleet employed on the Cumberland River up to Nashville, during the preparation for the 1864 campaign are evidence that it wasn't Rosecrans' command style that was the main problem. The logistical program in the Kentucky/Tennessee theater had to be improved before the central operation could succeed.
 
The interface between the railroads and the army quartermaster department was being adjusted during the first two years of the war. But in the Kentucky/Tennessee theater there were also physical changes required.
View attachment 398616
https://books.google.com/books?id=U...hur Edwards" Quartermaster Bridgeport&f=false p.402

This might help you. Meigs letter to Stanton on 9/27. Grant wasn’t given command until 10/16.

I would refrain from using Dana or Grant as a source when analyzing Rosecrans. Stanton either, which Dana was a spy for Stanton. Grant and Rosecrans have a history back to Iuka. Too much to-get into here.

Your whole analysis is that Rosecrans couldn’t accomplish what Grant accomplished at Chattanooga. No evidence that is true if you study Rosecrans. Too much effort for some. All Generals had people who liked them and not.

Pay close attention to what Meigs says about what he learned about the area after seeing it for himself. No one could sit in Washington and correctly analyze what obstacles Rosecrans conquered or was dealing with.

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Source for Meigs letter. PP127-128 William S Rosecrans by David G Moore. Davis posts here occasionally. Great Read.
 
The situation changed between 9/27 and 10/16. It began to rain and the primitive roads began to burden the mules withe excessive calory expenditures. The teamsters cut the forage ration and livestock began to die.
 
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Despite Dana's letter, the situation was not considered urgent. Grant did not meet with Stanton until the middle of October and did not make it to Chattanooga until October 23.
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https://www.civilwarhome.com/grantchattanooga.htm
At another point in his report Grant notes that the railroad to Bridgeport was not adequate to support Thomas' force, and Hooker's force, with their livestock. A good deal more preparation was required in the Kentucky/Tennessee theater before Nashville was an adequate forward depot and the rail line to Chattanooga was sufficient to supply Sherman's large army.
Dana's letter probably was only a reflection of Stanton's impatience with Rosecrans.
 
I would refrain from using Dana or Grant as a source when analyzing Rosecrans. Stanton either, which Dana was a spy for Stanton. Grant and Rosecrans have a history back to Iuka. Too much to-get into here.

Your whole analysis is that Rosecrans couldn’t accomplish what Grant accomplished at Chattanooga. No evidence that is true if you study Rosecrans. Too much effort for some. All Generals had people who liked them and not.

Source for Meigs letter. PP127-128 William S Rosecrans by David G Moore. Davis posts here occasionally. Great Read.
Dana and Grant are certainly no less credible than Rosecrans and his defenders.

For another journalist's opinion of Rosecrans, other than Dana, see Henry Villard. Rosecrans was a general who put fawning sycophantic journalists on his staff, and bestowed them with military ranks.

David Moore is an extremely biased writer. He's an avowed Rosecrans fan.
 
The unfortunate thing for the pro Rosecrans narrative is that moving Rosecrans from Chattanooga to St. Louis was a minor change compared to the realignment of the logistical focus in the west.
This guy, General Robert Allen, was more important, and had more authority than Rosecrans.
https://www.historycentral.com/Bio/UGENS/USAAllen.html
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https://books.google.com/books?id=U...hur Edwards" Quartermaster Bridgeport&f=false p.428-429.
The little part of the logistical plan centered on what became the Cracker Line was just a small part of eliminating bottlenecks in the flow of supplies from Cincinnati and Louisville to Chattanooga.
Transfers of freight at Jeffersonville and Louisville had to be eliminated to free up workers to move to Nashville, which was becoming a major forward depot.
 
By the time Meigs was in Chattanooga, Stanton was in Louisville, and Allen had also transferred to Louisville, the degree of accountability and pace of action was completely different. The fact that Daniel McClallum also went to Kentucky to supervise a systems approach to the railroads there also supports the conclusion that Kentucky/Tennessee was transformed from an incidental theater, to the main theater of the war.
 
All started when Rosecrans was there. Rosecrans rebuild the RR to Chattanooga or was rebuilding it. Plan to open the Cracker Line was already in progress. He ordered Engines, laid track, rebuilt trestles and hired contractors to do What he couldn’t. He ordered building the paddle wheel Steamers to open the Cracker Line. True he had 1 bad day on the battlefield. How many bad days did Grant have. If not for Washburn he wouldn’t have survived Shiloh. Halleck sat him down, gave Thomas command of the AOT for a short period. Which spoiled their relationship. Many were vindictive but Grant took the cake.

Never discussed, Burnside was in Knoxville and East TN with 40k Troops and was opposed by, Nobody. Halleck never gave him a preemptive order to protect Rosecrans left flank. Halleck refused Rosecrans request to have Grant keep Johnson busy so he couldn’t support Bragg. Halleck tells Rosecrans Bragg is sending troops to Lee. Along about 9/14 Halleck knows Rosecrans has been trumpeted. Plenty of time for Rosecrans to concentrate at Chattanooga or fall back to Bridgeport to await support which Halleck has ordered. Grants wreck his horse in NO, party time, it takes over a month for him to respond. Burnside with his eyes toward the Door, never does. So, it would appear that much of this is CYA by Washington and Grant has a long brewing hatred toward Rosecrans which can’t be denied.

Chattanooga Campaign was after Vicksburg and Gettysburg. Theirs is no question this invasion was The Invasion in 9/63. Per Meigs Letter, Washington had no clue what Rosecrans obstacles are. Most people today don’t. The Confederates moved Troops to protect Chattanooga, the second most important city in the South. Federals don’t do it until after Chickamauga. Had to be one of the most tactical blunders of the Yankees. Blame it All on Rosy.
 
General Rosecrans was also involved in adapting solutions to the logistical problem by anticipating that small steam barges could eliminate a large number of wagon trips between Bridgeport and Chattanooga.
View attachment 398617
https://books.google.com/books?id=Ud8fejE_4XkC&pg=PA414&lpg=PA414&dq="Arthur+Edwards"+Quartermaster+Bridgeport&source=bl&ots=mLDe4VtjkS&sig=ACfU3U0fKeXKv8W4m3jfCIcRRoE9aERpcg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjd-PzV2IrwAhXOKM0KHWsSC5MQ6AEwC3oECBAQAw#v=onepage&q="Arthur Edwards" Quartermaster Bridgeport&f=false see page 414.
In his memoirs Grant recalled correctly that there was a saw mill and boats were built. But the engines were freighted in from the Ohio River.
For whatever reason he gave the credit for this step to William Smith, not Rosecrans. Most likely Smith took credit for something Rosecrans had set in motion. That would be consistent with Smith's consistent ability to cause trouble wherever he went.
But I will leave that to the experts.
Grant's report in December 1863 mentions a captured steamer, the Dunbar. That would have helped when the river route was cleared and must have helped the officers in Tennessee realize what was possible even about Muscle Shoals.
 
General Rosecrans was also involved in adapting solutions to the logistical problem by anticipating that small steam barges could eliminate a large number of wagon trips between Bridgeport and Chattanooga.
View attachment 398617
https://books.google.com/books?id=Ud8fejE_4XkC&pg=PA414&lpg=PA414&dq="Arthur+Edwards"+Quartermaster+Bridgeport&source=bl&ots=mLDe4VtjkS&sig=ACfU3U0fKeXKv8W4m3jfCIcRRoE9aERpcg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjd-PzV2IrwAhXOKM0KHWsSC5MQ6AEwC3oECBAQAw#v=onepage&q="Arthur Edwards" Quartermaster Bridgeport&f=false see page 414.
In his memoirs Grant recalled correctly that there was a saw mill and boats were built. But the engines were freighted in from the Ohio River.
For whatever reason he gave the credit for this step to William Smith, not Rosecrans. Most likely Smith took credit for something Rosecrans had set in motion. That would be consistent with Smith's consistent ability to cause trouble wherever he went.
But I will leave that to the experts.
And to paraphrase Grant when he met Rosecrans after his dismissal, Grant acknowledged he (Rosecrans) had some good plans identified, just curious why he had not carried them out. I think to your point...
 
And to paraphrase Grant when he met Rosecrans after his dismissal, Grant acknowledged he (Rosecrans) had some good plans identified, just curious why he had not carried them out. I think to your point...
I think @Rhea Cole identifies that in the immediate aftermath of the battle of Chickamauga, the US officers and observers did not think the situation was terrible. But then Wheeler's cavalry crossed to north side of the Tennessee River and the weather got worse, much worse.
At that point Hooker had his own logistical and tactical problems and he was not about to cross over the river and allow the Confederates to concentrate on his army.
The operation to open the river to Brown's ferry and to shorten the supply line was a very delicate operation in which the 3 converging forces had to act on significant trust that the others were fully committed. Rosecrans knew it was a tricky plan and he wanted someone else to be responsible, in my view.
 
Opening the so called Cracker Line was just addressing one segment of the supply line descending from Cincinnati and Louisville to Bridgeport and Chattanooga. The railroad had to brought up to east coast standards just to get sufficient supplies to Bridgeport.
 
The posts on this are excellent. Thank you both.
Question to wausaubob and uaskme:
Many accounts report that Rosecrans did not sleep and often keep his staff up to late hours. This night owl behavior of him is recorded about the last night before day 2 at Chic. Did this account for his reported erratic behavior and his rapid return to Chat?
Much appreciated.
 
Minty sunk the Dundar with one of Eli Lilly’s Mountain Howitzers. They will raise it and use it to help Sherman cross the TN for his approach to Missionary Ridge.

Here is part of Rosecrans Idea that had been put into motion. He has had pioneers in Chattanooga since the 10th or so of September. However Chickamauga concludes on the 20th. Rosecrans was a little tied up until then.

War Dept is going to Order Grant on Sept. 15th to send a relieving party. They don’t get there for 2 months. Wonder what Rosecrans thought about Grant’s plans. Too little too late; I would expect.

Halleck also told Buenside to go to relieve Rosecrans . 21st Rosecrabs Telegraphs Bunside. Burnside is going to refuse to co-operate. Halleck never gives him a preemptive order. Rosecrans wanted Burnside to protect his left flank. This is where Wheeler is going to destroy 600 wagons.

Sept 22 Stanton sends Hooker. He gets to Bridgeport on Oct 2, but without his Trains. He can’t move without them.In the mean time, Rosecrans is fortifying Chattanooga, about a square mile. He builds 3 Forts and Rifle Pits.

23rd he gives up Lookout Mountain. Knows he can get it back latter after his promised Support arrives.

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