William S. Rosecrans

This 1868 portrait of William S, Rosecrans (1819-1898 ) by  Samuel Woodson Price hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.

"Affectionately called Old Rosy by his troops, William S. Rosecrans proved to be one of the North's best strategists early in the war. In July 1861, Rosecrans's brigade won the Battle of Rich Mountain, Virginia, thus securing a Union foothold in territory that would ultimately become the state of West Virginia. His ability to maneuver the enemy was especially evident in the western theater, where he com­manded the Army of the Cumberland in the Battle of Stones River (Murfreesboro, Tennessee). At Chickamauga, Georgia, in September 1863, however, his army suffered disaster when one of his orders was misconstrued. This allowed the enemy to attack through a wide gap in the federal line. The mistake cost Rosecrans his command and virtually ended his active service in the war." -- National Portrait Gallery

Samuel Woodson Price signed the painting as the Late Col. of the 21st Kentucky Volunteers.

S. W. Price
Late Col. of
21st Ky. Vol.s
1868