William S

by David G. Moore

This is the first biography of Union General William S. Rosecrans in more than fifty years. It tells the story of his military successes and the important results that led to the Union victory in the Civil winning the first major campaign of the war in West Virginia in 1861; victories in northeastern Mississippi that made the Vicksburg Campaign possible; gaining the victory without which Abraham Lincoln said the nation could scarcely have lived over; conducting two brilliant campaigns in Tennessee and fighting the battle of Chickamauga (giving permanent possession of Chattanooga to the federals); defending Missouri from an invasion in 1864. The book also attempts to explain why Rosecrans was removed four times despite his military successes and examines the important part politics played in the war. Additionally it reveals a man who promoted many advances in medical care, transportation and cartography; a man interested in engineering as well as theology.

251 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 2014

Reviews

[Robert Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent, excellent book about an often overlooked and highly underrated Union general. I have always though General William S. Rosecrans was a victim of his own success. He was slighted and pushed aside by General Grant, who felt threatened by Rosecrans, and was set up by Edwin Stanton in Washington, D.C. There were powerful figures arrayed against this excellent General. Early on it appears Grant, if successful, was being groomed for the presidency, and Rosecran’s success threatened those plans. Author David G. Moore reviews Rosecran’s military career battle to battle and writes in a very clear, concise way. I really enjoyed this book and believe it should be on every Civil War bookshelf. It is clear that historians need to accept Grant’s memoir only after they have fully verified what he writes. Rosecran was an incredible man, General and patriot and it’s a shame history and historians have treated him so poorly. An excellent book and worth your time.