Colonel Lyons.
Stevenson, Ala., Wed. Eve., Oct. 21st, 1863—It has rained nearly all day, and the roads are almost impassable, causing much apprehension that we shall be unable to get forward sufficient supplies for our army at the front. The supplies are kept here for this large army.
The grand theme of interest and discussion now is the change of commanders in this army. Generals Grant and Rosecrans arrived here an hour ago, and are both at General Hooker’s quarters. This is a remarkable meeting. Less than four months ago these three generals were at the head of three great armies of the Union, and the eyes of the whole world were upon them Hooker at the head of the Army of the Potomac was carrying out that splendid strategy which culminated in the defeat of Lee at Gettysburg. A few days after he was relieved (by his own request) from the command of that army. Grant was pressing upon Vicksburg, which he soon after captured; and Rosecrans, with the laurels of Stone River fresh upon his brow, was pursuing the retreating army of Bragg out of Tennessee.
Tonight they are all here—Rosecrans without a command; Hooker with a very subordinate one; and Grant, whose star seems to be in the ascendant, with a command greater by far than has been entrusted to any other general in this war. Three nobler, braver, or better men, never met than these; and whatever their future may be they will fill a glorious place in our history.
I have no fault to find with the removal of General Rosecrans. I can readily imagine why the Government should regard it as imperiously necessary to do so. The consolidation of the three departments of Tennessee, Ohio, and the Cumberland, into one under General Grant, is a very wise measure.
No further signs of our moving.
