W. R. Vol. XVI., Part II.,

p. 619.

venient as any for making any changes that may CH. XIII. be thought proper in the command of this army,' the Government took him at his word, and in an order dated the 24th of October directed him to turn over his command to General Rosecrans thereby preparing for itself exactly a year of similar controversies and struggles, with a similar termination.

Rosecrans's battle at Corinth, and Buell's at Perryville, were fought within a few days of each other; the one rendered abortive the northward movement of Van Dorn, and the other turned into something not far from ridicule the attempt of Bragg to annex Kentucky to the Southern Confederacy. But the two generals received their reward in very different fashion; Buell was removed from command and his unquestionable talents were thereafter lost to the service; while Rosecrans was made general of the magnificent Army of the Cumberland. Having announced his assumption of command at Louisville, on the 30th of October, he proceeded at once to Bowling Green, and there divided his army into three wings, the. center being commanded by Thomas, and the right and left by McCook and Crittenden respectively. Paying as little attention as his predecessor had done to the orders given him to march into East Tennessee, he concentrated his army about Nashville, establishing his headquarters there. His first task was to complete and strengthen his line of communications. The railroad from Louisville was soon reopened and he occupied himself busily for a month in refitting his army and accumulating supplies. Bragg's superiority in cavalry was so great, and

Ibid., p. 642.