Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-12-26

plishing our object, future reports will show.
But Tor the fault and unexpected and una
voldable delay in building the bridges-which
gave the enemy twenty -four hours more to
concentrate his forces in his stronghold-we
would certalhly have succeeded, in which
event the battle would have been. in nav
opinion, far more decisive than if we had
crossed at the place first selected. AS it was.
we came very near success -E 1890
railing in accomplishing the main object,
we remained in order of battle two DAVIS
long enough to decide that the enemy would
not come out of his strongholds to fight us
with his infantry-after which we crossed to
this side of the river, unmolested, without
loss Of men or property. AS the day broke.
our long lines of troops were seen marching
to their different positions, as if going on pa
rade. Not the least decentralization or disor-
ganizatien existed.
10 the brave officers and soldiers who ac-
complshed the feat of re-crossing the river in
the face of the enemy, owe every thing.
For the failure in the attack, am responsible,
as the extreme gallantry, courage and endur-
ance shown by them was never excelled and
would have carried the points had it been
possible. To the families and friends of the
dead, can only offer my heartfelt sympa-
thies; but for the wounded can Offer my
earnest prayers for their comfort and final
recovery.
The fact that decided to move from War
renton on to this line, rather against the opin-
ion of the President, Secretary of War and
yourself, and that you left the whole move
ments in my hands without giving me orders,
makes me responsible. will visit you very
soon and give you more definite information,
and finally will send you my detailed report,
in which a special acknowledgment will be
made Of the services of the different grand
divisions, divisions, corps, and my general
and staff departments, to whom l am much
indebted for their support and hearty coop
Grafton.
| / will add here that the movement was
made earlier than you expected, and after the
President, Secretary Of War and yourself re-
quested me not to be in haste, for the reason
that we were supplied much sooner by the
| different staff departments than was antici-
pated when saw you.
| Our killed amounts to 1852, our wounded
to about 5000, and our prisoners to about
700. The prisoners have been paroled and
exchanged for about the same number taken
by us. The wounded were all removed 10
this sidA or the river and are being we'll cared
| for. The dead were all buried under flag Of
truce. The surgeons report much larger
proportion of slight wounds than usual -
], 1882 only being treated in hospitals.
I am glad to represent the army at the
present time in good condition.
Thanking the Government for that entire
support and confidence which have always
received, remain, General, very respectfully
your obedient servant, 49,.
A. E. BURNSIDE,
| Maj Gen. Commanding.
| ... WASHINGTON Dec. %.
! The President has acknowledged the re-
ceipt of the designations of the Secretary O.
State, Mr.. Seward, and the Secretary of the
Treasury, Mr.. Chase, and has stated that after
due elaboration he has come to the conclu
| sion that the acceptance of their designations
would be incompatible with the public vel
fare. The President has therefore requested
| both to resume their respective functions
They have resumed their places as heads O.
their respective departments.
CAIRO, Dec. %.
| From J. B. McLinn, who was an eye-wit
ness of the taking of Trenton, have the fol
lowing particulars: Col. Fry, of Illinois, was
in command. He had about 200 men, nearly
one half Of whom were sick. The main par
of the garrison had been sent to Jackson, in
anticipation of an attack on that place. The
rebel menace of jackson was feint to draw
our troops away from stations above, when
they intended to make an attack. The plan
has been carried out, and was entirely sue.
cessful.
When Col. Fry heard of the rebel approach
he piled 200 bales Of cotton, two bales high,
around the station-house and placed his men
behind them. The rebels made the attack
with three or four pieces of artillery and after
they had fired thirty rounds, Col. Fry surren-
dered Afterwards the station-house and
cotton were consumed.
To-day Col. Taylor, with the 9Th Ohio cav.
airy, and Col. Hawkins, with Tennessee
| regiment, went on reconnaissance to Lex
ington, Tenn. They met rebel cavalry
force of several thousand and were badly cut
up. Col. Hawkins was taken prisoner, but
escaped, and reached Trenton in time to be
taken again. Several cotton buyers were
taken at Trenton.
1t is believed that the rebels reached Ken
ton last night. They are commanded by Gen.
Black, Trenton lawyer, and one object of
the raid was to prevent the election for Con-
gresham, which the rebels understood was
to take place on Saturday.
~. -s-..... LATER.
The rebel forces have advanced to with
in seven miles of Columbus, and part of the
National force at that place went out this af-
ternoon to meet them.
Firing is heard at Columbus this evening,
and it is supposed that the advance of the two
forces have met. Our force at Columbus is
deemed sufficient for the occasion.
Con- futile went down this evening, and
his staff 60 tonight They will take the
field on arriving at Columbus.
Gen. Sherman's great expedition left Mem
phis Saturday night.
NEwBERN, N. c., Dec. 16.
Recent North Carolina papers are full of
complaints about an order emanating from
the rebel Maj. Gen. French, directing the
burning of all cotton in the counties border
ing on the Roanoke river, which is not NOV
ed west of the Wilmington railroad by the
18th inst 8rae
The Richmond Examiner of the 18th states
that the small pox prevails there as an cpl
demic.
The Richmond Dispatch states: CAT the
Summit, to-day, ranged side by side with our
wounded. were the Yankee wounded, receiv-
ing the same care and enjoying the like kind
treatment with our unfortunate defenders"
WASHINGTON, Dec. %.
1t is not best for the public to cherish an
illusory hope that the Cabinet imbroglio is at
an end. Seward to-day declared to one of
his friends that his resumption of ministerial
duties was made to be dependant upon two
conditions, the non fulfllment of which would
even yet compel his resignation; and though
Mr.. Chase to-day signi6ed to the President
his consent to return to his department, it
seems apparent that his action also will be