Civil_War_Quarterly_-_Summer_2016_

Federals shoot at Rebel

cavalrymen attempting to

overwhelm a supply train.

The deeper Union armies

penetrated into the

Southern heartland, the

longer and more vulnera-

ble their supply lines.

Confederates went after

them with gusto and not

just to hurt Northern

armies; they could luxuri-

ate for a time on the food,

clothing, and ammunition

they captured.

Smithsonian Institution

where. Thomas, who had seven divisions,

remained intact at last news. Granger, with

two brigades had gone to support

Thomas. Every available reserve was used

when the men stampeded. Burnside will be

notified of the state of things at once, and

you will be informed. Troops [Confeder-

ate] from Charleston, Florida, Virginia,

and all along the seaboard are found

among the prisoners. It seems that every

available man was thrown against us.”

The author of this gloomy telegram was

Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans, com-

mander of the Federal Army of the Cum-

berland. His missive was the first report

sent by him to his civilian superiors regard-

ing the defeat of his army at the Battle of

Chickamauga. But even before Rosecrans’

rather passive announcement had been

sent, the authorities back east had received

a much more graphic account of the recent

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