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William Rosecrans 1819–1898
Born Delaware County, Ohio
William Rosecrans began his Civil War service on a positive note. In the early months of the conflict, he proved instrumental in the campaign that expelled General Robert E. Lee's forces from western Virginia and secured that region for the Union. Assuming command of the newly designated Army of the Cumberland in 1862, Rosecrans marshaled his troops for a drive against Confederate general Braxton Bragg's forces, which culminated in the Battle of Stones River in Tennessee. Despite heavy casualties, the Union forces prevailed. In 1863 Rosecrans launched a well-conceived campaign to force Bragg's retreat to Chattanooga but suffered a crushing defeat when the opposing armies clashed at Chickamauga in September. In one of the war's bloodiest battles, a tactical error by Rosecrans paved the way for a Confederate victory. Relieved of his command, Rosecrans led the Department of the Missouri in 1864 but held no other post for the remainder of the war. |