William S. Rosecrans, Union Civil War general whose engineering capabilities were far superior to his combat abilities, died March 11, 1898. He was 78.

Rosecrans was born September 6, 1819 in Delaware City, Ohio. The grandson of Stephen Hopkins, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and co-author of the Articles of Confederation, Rosecrans graduated from West Point in 1842, ranking 5th out of a class of 56.

He became an engineer, and after 12 years in the military, resigned his commission in 1854 to become a civilian engineer and architect.

Meeting with great success, he made a lot of money in the mining industry. He also became an inventor of note, with such innovations as a round lamp wick, odorless oil and an economical way of manufacturing soap.

Rosecrans was severely injured in a fire in 1860, and spent 18 months recuperating. The Civil War began as he was recovering.

His West Point experience was instrumental in his fast promotion to brigadier general in the regular army. But he was snubbed by General George McClellan at the battle of Rich Mountain, Virginia where Rosecran’s actions saved the day, but were not noted by McClellan who was named commander in chief of all Union forces.

Rosecrans asked to be transferred and sent to the western theater. He performed well but came into dispute with General Grant. Each blamed the other for miscues on the battlefield at Corinth, Mississippi.

The dispute didn’t hurt Rosecran’s career as he made major general after Corinth. As commander of XIV Corps he won a victory at Stones River, and then proceeded to repulse rebel forces at Chattanooga with minimal casualties.

And while loved by the rank and file soldier, Rosecrans was not well thought of by other officers and superiors. He was also excitable on the battlefield and tended to stutter when excited. Micro-management was also another criticism lodged against him. He was blamed for the defeat at Chickamauga and was relieved of his command.

He spent the rest of the war commanding the Department of Missouri.

After the war, he continued in the regular army until 1867 when he resigned and returned to a successful business and political career.

He served as a minister to Mexico, a U.S. Congressman and worked for the Treasury Department.

Rosecrans died in Redondo, California on March 11, 1898. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.