New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-25

warrant for such q course, which, after all, could
only have been carried out By the authority OF tie
GcneralH-Chief.
had a conversation with Gen. Meigs on the 18th,
in wbioh much said about the work ~ be done
az Acqus Greek; not a VOID, so far is can 70
member, about the land pobtoon trains the DEPART
ment Of hich Gen. Megs is chief cannot be justly
blamed in this matter; my acquisitions sor horses
were answered Immediately.
MAJ HALLECR's TESTIMONY.
Maior-G n. II. w. Halleck sworn, and examined.
BY the Chairman-Q. BY resolution OF the Sem
ate we instructed TO inquire into the recent as
saul. on Fredericksburg, and the reasons for the
delay in attacking the enemys wcrks.
There seems to lie q Misunderstanding as to whose
duty il was 10 furnish the pontoon boats. 1t APP
peared TO be material that they should have been
there at the same time tho army got there.
The army got there first, aud the pontoons did
not get there till some time hfterward, through mis-
take or delay. That is matter OF inqpiryi state
in your own way anything you thnX materiai
which will throw light upon the subject Of our IN
curry, and especially Ms to the delay.
A. " ill state that all the troops in Washington
aud ts vicinity were under the command OF Gen.
Mcclellan when be was relieved; and be issued lis
orders directly to tie commandi'g 0ficer Oh WASH
ington. with one single exception, that no troops
should be moved from the command OF Washington
until was notified by Gen. Mcclellan OF the CON-
handing officer here.
In all other respects they were all under direc-
ton Of Gen. Burnside. When he relieved him was
told that they remained Irscisey the sumo aobefore
On my visit TO Gen. Burnside at Warrenton on .he
I2h of November, in speaking about the boats and
things that he required from here. repeated to him
that they were all subject 10 bis orders, Win that
single exception.
To prevent the necessity Of the commanding OFF,
Ger here reporting the order for the boats here te
order was drawn up upon his table and signed by
me directly to Gen. Woodbury.. On the evening OF
the 18th, think the evening that was there, eien
Woodbury., oa my return, told NE ne had received
the order.
! told him that in all these matters he was under
Gen. Burnsdes directions; had nothing further 10
give him except t. communicate that order 10 hnn
IN conversation with him and Gen. Megs, II wss
expected that the tram Of pontoons should 60 down
by land, az they could be gotten down sooner IN
that way without interfering with the supplies
which had TO bs sent to Acquia Creek.
gave 10 other order or direction IN regard 10 the
matter than that all other matters were under Gen
Burhsidss direction. He also informed me, while
at Warrentou, that Capt. Duane, Chief OF the En-
gineers bad already sent an order to Hapers Ferry
for the pohtoon train there to 20 down.
The order had been issued; they being under Gen.
Burnside's immediate and direct command, did not
Interfere at all III relation TO them.
q. Doyou know whether there was any delay 10
starting them in their march theref
A. l beard that there was q delay from tho steam
ers getting aground with the pontoons, and there
Yves Q delay, / understood In the train going down
by land account Of the difficulty Of the roads and
the Experience, perhaps Of the officer IN commando
ard it bad to be taken by water part of tie way.
I. could not get through by land. / considered,
from the reports l received, that these delays
resulted mainly from accident and the elements that
no man had any control over. Gen. Burnside tele-
graphed TO me in relation TO Gen. Woodbury., think
ing thai lie bad not used due diligence, bat alter.
ward told me- he was perfectly satisfied with what
Gen. Woodbury. bad done and that he did not know
l,,, sha Of fbn
went down bad done his duty; slso that he was
disposed to make no further investigation Of that
mater; that he was pretty vel satisfied.
q. Was there any request for you 10 delay the ad-
vance Of the men until the boats arrived, or any.
thing OF that lind
a. No, Sir; remember this, that Gen. Wood
bury, 10 a conversation with me, said that Gen
Bariside could not get down for several days after
told him, aud that he could not need the boats until
Gen. Burn,ide arrived. l think remarked 10 him
that did no. know exactly the day when Gsn.
Burnside would move; that could not tell him. as
tie General did not know himself.
While WAS at Warrenton he propo.ed this move
ment and he was directed 20 make all preparations
for it. bot not to begin 1t Til the President was con.
suited. returned on the afternoon Of the lJtD, aud
think on tue morning OF the nth bad AN inter
view with the President, in which he consented TO
Gen Burnside plans, and immediael telegraphed
him 10 60 ahead as he had proposed. l Understood
that there was considerable delay in getting the
boats from Acqua down TO the Rappah inDock River,
on account OF TO bad roads, officially OF lrsnsporta-
ton, &C.. but other delay than that which would
naturally occur over rough country like shat, aud
accidental delay in laying the bridges was reported
10 me, from the inexperience Of tae pontooniers
who laid the upp er bridges.
There wa considerable delay in that; We could
not commence the repairs Of the railroad until ten.
Burnside took possession Of H. i. was all in the
posses sion of the enemy; that was understood be-
tween Gen. Haupt and Gen. Meigs IN my presence;
Gan will ule a 4.
rangemen il repairing the road early a. possible;
/ Isneiaber the conversations he could not have
any thing, but would have everything down ready
ss coon as be could, and when he found Gen. Burn
side was in Possession he would commence.
Question by Mr.. Goocb.-When you were at
WarTenton had Gen. Burnside just assumed CON-
mand OF the Army Of the Potomacl
A. Five days before think.
Q. Was there, or not, any agreement or under
standing between you and Gen. Burnside that tic
Furnished TO him by the authorities here without
his looking after them himself
A. No, Sir.
q. | will say any stores necessary for him to
cross the river and move forward for Fredericksburg
A. Yes, Sir; 1 requested Gen. Meigs as Chief
Quarternasler, and Gen. Haupt, In charge oil The
railroads, 10 20 With me 70 consult with Gen. Burn
side, and told him tina, everything was at his dis
pOsiOn he must make his own regulations ana give
hs own orders; that would not Interfere except to
assist in carrying his views out as much as conld
whenever anything Was reported TO me as hot being
done, that l would render all tie assistance IN my
power, and ust previous to that lime with reference
u reputation which he had sca. me, told LIN
not 10 rend me any regulations, but 10 make them
on the proper heads OF departments, aud If they did
not do their duty, then Immediately report it TO me-
but that could not attend 10 any acquisitions at all
Q. When you We're there, WIS the time con-
side ed that il wonld take 10 move the army from
where il wa to Falmouth, opposite Frederichsburgf
A. No Sir; for it was not determined at thai
lime that the movement should be made.
@. Was il lot determined that It should be made,