Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-12-25
noble Letter from GEN. Burnside

Noble Letter from Gen. burnside
HIS Reasons for FSghtisg the Bffle df|
FrSte~cksbayg--Hc ass,m,@ the resi,onsi-
..Sss.'rs's Af p.,. e Ss,, =, ;,,s ss'.sss ,ss;
To MJor. General H W. IE,ieet, Gsaeral
IN Chtf ", s.. A., Washiaotow'
GESERAI--I have the honor to offer the
following reasous for moving the srmy of
the Potomac across, the Rappahanuock]
sooner than was anticipated BY tho Prosi-
dent, Secretary or yourself, aud for crossing
at point different from the one indicated
to you at our last meeting ut the Presidents
During my .Rreparations for CROSSING ~
the place I bad FIRST selected, discovered
that tho enemy had thrown large portion
thus weakeping his defense. in front; aud
also thpnght discovered that be did not
anticip9to the crossing of our whole force at
| Fredericksburg, and L hoped by rapidly
throwing the, whole command over at ths.
place to separate by 4 vigorous attack the
| forces fthe enemy on the river below from
| tho forces behind and on the crest and 10
| the rear OF the town, in which case we could
\ fight him with great advantage inaur favor
\ To dothis we. had 10 gain a height in the
extreme right Of the crest which height
commanded new road lately made BY the
l enemy for the purpose vt more rapid com.
1 munication along bis ines, which point
gained, his position along tho crest woull
have been scarcely tenable, and he could
have been driven from there entirely BY All
4 attuck on his front, in connection with the
movement in the seal,i< the crest. Il.
i How near we cSpie'to accomplishing our
object future reports will show, bur f'Jr tho
fog and unexpected anil unavoidable delay
in building the bridges which gave the enc
my seventy four hours more to concentrate
}, his forces in his strong position or We would
, almost certainly have succeeded, in which
, case the battle would have been,in in my opin
} ion, far more decisive than if we had crosset
at the places firstselocted. dill 'm9tt
{ Asit was, We came very near success,--
Failing in accomplishing the main object
D long enough to decide that the enemy woul(
: with his infantry, after which we re-crosse,
to this side of the river unmolestod, withou
Q the loss Of maD or property.
As the day broke our long lines Of troop
Q we're seen marching to their differont posi-
r tions as it going on parade, not the leas
Q Generalization or disorgauzation existed. I
The brave officers and soldiers who accom-
9 plished the feat Of thus re crossing IN tn
: face of the enemy owe everything IN th
future. In the attack am responsible q
the extreme galantry, courage anl EMU
rance shown by them was never exceled
aud would have carried the points had
: been accessible. A'
u To the families and friends of the dead
,, can only Offer my heartfelt sympathy; bu
y for the wounded can offer my earne'
!. prayers for their comfort and tinaI recover,
u The fact that decided to move froi
y y Warrenton IN to this line, rather againi
q the opinion Of the President, Secretary al
., yourself, and that you have lett the. who
~ movement In my hands without giving IN
y orders, makes me the moe responsible.
- will visit you very soon and give you MOI
y definite information, aud hnally. will sou
~ iss you my detailed report, in which q speci
oI acknowledgment will bs made of the serv
7 " "A A - 4 N nm