Some severe criticisms having been made upon General
Rosecrans for his conduct of affairs in Western Virginia, and a charge
preferred against him of want of activity after his victory over the rebels at
Rich Mountain, he has written a letter which, in the opinion of the newspaper
where the criticism appeared, completely clears him of any reproach for want of
skill, and sustains him in the assertion that “the affair at Rich Mountain
opportunely cut off reinforcements to Pegram at Camp Garnett, and knocked the
keystone out of the rebel arch of defense with but little loss.” – In the
course of his letter, Gen. Rosecrans, vieing with Gen. Burnside, chivalrously
bears testimony to the merits of his chief, and frankly avows that his
successful campaign in Western Virginia “was planned and executed by General
Rosecrans under the orders of General McClellan, to each of whom belongs his
proper share of merit, to Gen. Rosecrans as subordinate, and to Gen. McClellan
as commander-in-chief.”
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye,
Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 2
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