Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-12-23
Evening and Midnight Reports.
Gen. Burnside's Report OF tho Battle
at Fredericlksburg-He takes all the
RannOm nj IhlIIIv

at Fredericltsburg-H takes all tn
RespOnsibiIity.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAo,l
FALMOUTH, December 10.
H. W. HGleek, General-in-ChiJ:
GEaEnAL--I have the honor to offer the fol
lowing reasons for moving the Army of th
Potomac across the Rappahannock sooner tha
was anticipated by the President, Secretary o
War or yourself, and for crossing at point dii
ferent from the one indicated to you at our Las
meeting at the Presidents. f..
During my preparation for crossing at lh
place had first selected, discovered tha
the enemy had thrown large portion of hi
force down the river and elsewhere, thu
weakening his defenses In front, and also tina
I discovered that he had not anticipated tn,
crossing of our whole force at Fredericksburg
and hoped by rapidly throwing the whole com
mand over at that place, to separate by vigor
ous attack the forces Of the enemy on the riyel
below from the forces behind and on the creel
In the rear Of the town, In which case we could
fight him with great advantage In our favor
To do this, we had to gain height on the ex
Heme right Of the crest, which height com.
manded new road lately made by the enemy
TOR the purposes Of more rapid communication
along his lines; which point gained, his posi-.
tions along the right crest would have been
from them easily by an attack on his front, In
connection with movement on the rear of the
crest. How near We came to aocomplishinQ
our object, future reports will show.
But for the fault and unexpected and una void.
able delay In building the bridges, which gave
the enemy tWenty-four hours more to concen-
trate his forces In his strong positions, we
would almost certainly have succeeded. in
which case the battle would have been, In my
opinion, far more decisive than II we had cross
cd at the places first selected, AS sit was, We
came very near success. 49,.
Failing Of accomplishing the main object, we
remained In order of battle two days, long
enough to decide that the enemy would moi
come out OF bis stronghold to fight US with bis
infantry, after which we crossed TO this side Of
the river, unmolested, without the loss of men
or property, and az the day broke, our long lines
OF troops were seen marching to their different
positions, as II going on parade Not the least
demorilization or disorganization existed.
To the brave officers and soldiers who accom-
plished the feat OF re.crosslng the river In the
face OF the enemy, owe everything. For the
failure in the attack, l 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.
To the families and friends of the dead. |
can only offer my heartfelt sympathy; bat for
the wounded, can offer my earnest prayers for
their comfortable and final recovery. =
The fact that decided to move from War
renton on this line rather against the opinion
OF the President, Secretary of War and your
self, and that you left the whole movement in
my hands, without giving me orders, makes me
responsible. l will visit you very soon and
give you more definite information, and finally
will send you my detailed report, in which q
special acknowledgment will be made of the
services Of the different grand divisions, divis-
ion corps, and my general and staff depart
ments of the Army OF the Potomac, to whom
am 30 much indebted for their support and
hearty corporation.
Twill add here, that the movement was made
earlier than you expected, and after the Presi
dent, Secretary, and yourself requested me not
to be In haste, for the reason that we were sup
piled much sooner by the different staff de-
partments than was anticipated when l saw
you.
Our killed amount to 1852, our wounded TO
about 5uuu, and -onr- prisonera to about 700,
which last have been paroied and exchanged
for about the same number taken by us. The
wounded were all removed to this side of the
river, and are being we'll cared for, and the
dead were all buried under a flag of truce.
The surgeons report much larger proportion
OF slight wounds than usual-l632 only being
treated in hospitals.
am glad to represent the army at the pres
ent time in good condition.
Thanking the government for that entire sup.
port and confidence which / have always re.
celved from them, l remain, General, very
respectfully,
Your ob't servant,
A E. BURNSIDE,
Maj. Gen. Commanding.