October 20, 1863 (Thursday): Grant Relieves Rosecrans

General George Henry Thomas

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

Numbers 1.
Louisville, October 20, 1863.
Major-General ROSECRANS, and
Major-General THOMAS,
Chattanooga:
    Major General W. S. Rosecrans having been relieved from the command of the Department of the Cumberland, by direction of the President of the United States, per General Orders, Numbers 337, of October 16, 1863, Major- General Thomas is hereby assigned to the command, and will at once assume its duties. General Rosecrans will turn over all books, papers, maps, and other property pertaining to the command to Major-General Thomas. All staff officers, except the aides-de-camp authorized by law, now on duty with General Rosecrans, will report to General Thomas for assignment as soon as relieved. General Rosecrans will proceed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and report to the Adjutant-General of the Army, by letter, for orders.
     By order of Major-General Grant:


     ELY S. PARKER,
     Assistant Adjutant-General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 33, Part 1, Page 669.

Without comment, Grant chose to replace Rosecrans with Thomas.  He had been given the option by  the administration of keeping Rosecrans or replacing him.  He chose wisely, Rosecrans being at this point greatly demoralized.