Rosecran's Question

[Steve Acker]

I found an account that said General Roscran's in the summer of 1863 offered confederates who surrendered to the federal army, a new suit of clothes, food and if possible transport home.

Does anyone have validation for this information?

Thanks,

Steve Acker

[Dignann]

Re: Rosecran's Question

Steve,

Just out of curiosity, where did you find this account and where have you already looked for a source? You might try checking the most recent Rosecrans biography:

William M. Lamers, The Edge of Glory: A Biography of General William S. Rosecrans, U.S.A. (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1999).

Eric

[Steve Acker]

Re: Rosecran's Question

Hey Eric,

After transcribing the letters of Hugh McLaurin, 7th Mississippi Infantry, I've been researching what happened to his regiment. On an excellent website on the 7th there was a journal entry from a soldier where he mentioned it.

http://www.geocities.com/poboy1961/

I've certainly read about Grant's offering of $5.00 for deserting confederates on the Petersburg front, but this is the first time I've heard of it in Tennessee.

Thanks,
Steve Acker

[LWhite64]

Re: Rosecran's Question

You might want to check the ORs, from Rosey it would have most likely been in a General Order and most likely in Vol 23 Pt 2, or Vol 30 Pt 3. It does sound familar to me, and was probably an extention of a similar policy that Lincoln announced in the later part of 1863.

Lee

[Daryl Black]

Re: Rosecran's Question

Just a quick correction - the Lamers biography isn't a new one. Published in 1961 and reprinted by LSU. Would love to see an updated treatment of Rosy.

Daryl Black