Rosecrans Out; Grant In

by Lee White

One-hundred and fifty years ago, on October 16, 1863, the war changed. A good general who made one mistake lost his career and another ascended to great prominence. 

After the collapse of the Army of the Cumberland during the battle of Chickamauga, comander Maj. Gen. William Rosecrans holed up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. “General Rosecrans seems to be insensible to the impending danger, and dawdles with trifles in a manner which can scarcely be imagined,” wrote Assistant Secretary of War Charles Dana, who was on the scene. Officials in Washington, tired of Rosecrans’ inaction, wanted a change. They called in Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant.

With the removal of Rosecrans, and Grant’s rise to greater command and responsibilities, the way was paved for the ultimate defeat of the Confederate armies in 1864. The future would consist of massive coordinated movements, trench warfare, and a fight to the death.

The face of the war was changed forever.