New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-23

fsOM GENERAL &RiSiUhN ANIL
yyTER FROM MAl0R.GEN. BURNSIDE.
gis Reasons for Fighting the Battle
Of Fredericksburg
AFRANK AND MANLY STATEMENT.
Scouting on the Right Of the Army
A FRANK AND MANLY STATEMENT
Scouting on the Right Of the Army
NO REBEL FORCE MET WITH,

Hx.pouIRrxns OF TIRE ARMY OF PorosAc,l
FALMOUTH. Dec l9 lee2
Mai. Gen II. w. HALLEcK, Generalin Chief u 8. Army.
Warrington.
GENERAL: have the honor to offer the following
reasons for moving the Army OF the Potomac across
the Rappahannoek sooner than was anticipated by
the President, Secretary Of War; or yourself, and
Tor crossing at point different from the one indi-
Gated to YOU ct our last meeting OF the Presidents.
During my preparations for crossing at the place
had first selected discovered that tho enemy bad
thrown large portion Of lis force down the river
and elsewhere thus weakening bis deenses IN front,
and alec thought discovered that he did not sntci-
pate the crossing Of whole force at Frecericks-
burg, aud hoped, by rapidly throwing the whole
command at that place, to separate, by vsor-
Gus attack, the forces Of tie enemy on the river
below from the forces behind and on the crest in the
rear of the town, in which case we could fight him
with great advantage in our favor.
To Go this, we had TO gain hight Oh the extreme
right of the Greet, Which hight commanded new
road lately made by the enemy for the purposes Of
more rapid conuunieation along his lines, which
point gained, bis positions along the crest would
have been scarcely tenable, and he could have been
driven from them easily by attack on bis front in
connection with q movement in the rear of the crest.
How near we came to accomplishing our purpose
future reports will show. But for the fog, aud I'M
expected and unavoidable delay in building the
bridges, which gave tie enemy twenty-four hours
more to concentrate his forces in his strong positions
we would almost certainly have succeeded; iu which
case the battle would have been, in my opinion, far
more decisive than if we had crossed at the place,
frat selected AS it was, we came very near cue
cess.
Failing in accomplishing the main object, we re-
NAMED in order Of battle two days-long enough
10 decide that the enemy would not come out Of bis
strongholds to fight US with his infantry-sfeI
which we recrc ssed to this side of the river unmo
Tested, without the loss Of rren or property.
A the day broke our long lines of troops were
seen marching to their different positions as going
On parsde. Not the least generalization or disor-
Eanization existed.
To the brave officers aud soldiers who accom-.
plshed the feat Of thus recrossng the river in the
face of the enemy, owe everything.
For the failure in the attack am responsible, as
The extreme gallantry, courage and endurance
shown by them was never exceeded, and would
have carried the points had il been possible.
offer my heartfelt sympatlies bu; for the wounded
can offer my earnest prayers for their comfortable
and final recovery.
The fact that l decided TO move from Wauentor
On to this line, rather against the opinion Of tn,
President, Secretary of War, and yourself, aud tina
you left the whole movement In my hands, withou
giving me orders, makes me the one responsible.
viii visit you very soon and give you more def
mil do
tailed report in which a special acknowledgement
will be made Of tie services Of the different Gram
Division Corps and my General and Staff Depart
ments of the Army of the Potomac to whom am 81
much indebted for their support and hearty coopera
tion.
will add here that the movement was mad,
earlier than you expected, and after the President
Secretary aud yourself requested Inc not TO be il
bsste, fer tie reason that we were suppGed mucl
sooner by the different staff departments than wal
anticipated when | last saw you.
Our killed amounts 10 1872; our woundedto abou
1900, and our prisoners 10 about 700, which las
have been paroed and exchanged for about the BAN
humber taken by US.
The wounded were all removed 70 this side Of tn,
river and are being well cared for, and the dsa(
all buried under q flag Of truce.
The Surgeons report much larger proportion o
slight wounds than usual, G32 only being treatet
In hospitals
sm glad 10 represent the army a, the presen
time in good condition.
Thanking the Government for that entire snppor
and confidence which have always received ffo1
them,
lremsin, General very respectfully.
Your obsdient servsni,
A. h. BURNSIDE,
bal Gen. Comd'g Army Of the Potonac.