Major-General to Henry W. Halleck, August 22, 1863

[General HALLECK :] My Dear GENERAL: Your letter of the 10th came yesterday. The impression at the War Office that I do not “‘draw straight in the traces” is very unjust to me. I am not the man to be petting myself and my own ideas, nor do I pique myself on trying to act independently of orders. I am profoundly convinced of the necessity and urgency of this army doing its full share of work. But, as I have so often stated, our success here depends upon an adequate cavalry force, to combat that of the enemy, and keep up our line of communications. I could not obtain horses enough to mount the men I actually had, hence my delay in moving. Again, after the expulsion of the rebels from Middle Tennessee, my only delays were those necessary to insure our being able to cross the mountains and maintain ourselves on this side of the mountains, which can only be done by railroad. I assure you I have given these matters my careful attention, and had the counsels of my best officers. The contempt for our opinions, apparent from the War Department, arises from a want of knowledge of the circumstances. But you know what it is to advance with a great army, even over 25 miles of miry barrens ; but when it comes to 30 miles of barrens, 70 miles of mountains, and two small rivers, and, finally, the great Tennessee—as broad here as at Pittsburg Landing—you know the magnitude of the work. I therefore expect consideration from the General-in-Chief. Iask it for the brave, true, and earnest officers of thiscommand. But, general, the course of the War Department toward these officers’ opinions, and the contemptuous silence with which our success was treated, has produced a feeling that the Secretary is unjust. As for myself, I am quite sure you, even you, wholly misunderstand me. You take my remonstrances and importunities for complaints. I know that trom your dispatches last autumn. In urging the Government to send us good cavalry arms and horses, I was only pressing that which touched its interests most nearly. Let it not be overlooked that we lost the corn and all the resources of Middle Tennessee, consumed by the rebels, for want of an adequate mounted force. Do not fail to seize and work out this idea. that with an adequate mounted force and infantry equal to theirs, we can cut off their supplies and foraging parties, and starve them out of the country. Very truly, yours, W.S. ROSECRANS, Major-General. *In the copy as received by General Halleck this word is way, STEVENSON, ALA., August 22, 1863—11 p. m. (Received 2 p. m., 23d.) ADJUTANT-GENERAL U.S. ARmy: General Thomas’reports that Colonel Wilder was opposite Chattanooga at 11 o’clock yesterday morning, attempting to destroy two steam-boats and a pontoon bridge with shells. Great commotion among rebels. Clouds of dust rising. Citizens and prisoners report Polk’s corps near Hill’s at Tyner’s Station, and say Bragg will go to Kentucky by Kingston. Brigade at Bridgeport left last night for Chattanooga. General Reynolds has two regiments and a battery opposite Shellmound to cut off railroad communication. Our other troops in same position as last night. Pioneers in, with half of pontoon train.

W. 8S. ROSECRANS,