Dave Powell, Jim Ogden, both talk about Rosecrans going through periods during Battles where nervous energy keeps him from Sleeping. Happened at Stones River. That sequence lasted for a few Days. This period during Chickamauga lasted for nearly a Week. He slept little during that period. Most commanders, like Thomas didn’t sleep much, for a few days. At some point, not sleeping, leads to issues of decision making. So that has been noted, and was a Issue on the Last day of battle at Chickamauga. So there was good reason he was expended when he got back to Chattanooga. Rosecrans didn’t have the same Respect for McCook or Crittenden that he had for Thomas. So he did micro manage them. Which both of them, get cashiered.
However, leaving the field, was his biggest Crime. Optically, it was terrible. Garfield was with him, when he left the Field. They stopped at Roseville Gap, which is a couple of miles from Chattanooga. He has Telegraph communications at Rossville Gap, so he could of stayed there.He makes the decision to go on to Chattanooga, Garfield, being the Politician and knowing the optics, makes the decision to go Back. Powell says Stanton wanted to replace Rosecrans before Chickamauga, Powell’s opinion. Rosecrans leaving the field, gives him the opportunity he was looking for. Stanton sent Dana to Chattanooga earlier. We can Guess Why. But when Dana gets to Chattanooga after the battle, he wires Washington and tells what a disaster the Battle was. Called it worse than Bill Run. So, there is no Rosecrans can get all that back.