The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-12-26
Ole 0aar
Gen. Burnside's Official Report Of
tho Battle OF Fredericksburg.
HEAD QUARTERS ARMY OF PoroNAc, !
Falmouth, Va, Dec. %.

raimoutn, Va, Dec. ~.
To Major Gen. II. w. Haileek, General.in-
Chief:
GENERAL IL have the honor to offer the
following reasons for moving the army OF the
Potomac across the Rapahannock sooner than
was anticipated by the President, Secretary
Of War and yourself. and for crossing at u
point different from the one indicated to you
at our last meeting at the Presidents.
During my preparations for crossing at the
place l had first selected, discovered that
the enemy had thrown large portion Of
his force down the river and elsewhere. thus
weakening his defences in front. and also
thought | discovered that he did not antic-
ipate the crossing of our whole force ut
Fredericksburg, and hoped by rapidly
throwing the whole command over ut the
place, to separate by vigorous attack the
forces of the river below from the forces be-
hind and on the crest in the rear of the town,
in which case We could fight him with great
advantage in our favor.
10 do this We had to gain height on the
extreme right of the crest, which height COM
manded q new road lately made by the enemy
for the purpose of more rapid communication
along his lines, which point gained, his po-
sitions along tho crest would have been
scarcely tenable, and he could have been drv.
en- from them easily by an attack on his front
in connection with movement in the rear Of
the crest.
We should have accomplished our object
but for the fog and unexpected and unayoid-
able delay in building the bridge which gave
the enemy twenty.four hours more to con-
centrate his forces in his strong position, in
which case the battle would have been more
decisive, in my opinion, than If We had
crossed at the place first selected. AS 1t was,
we came very near success. Failing in &C.
complishing the main object, we remained in
order of the battle two days, long enough to
decide that the enemy would not come out
of his strong hold to fight us with his infant
nv. after which we crossed to this side Of tho
river, unmolested and without the loss Of
men or property.
As the day broke our long line Of troops
were seen marching to their different posi-
tions, us II going on parade; not the least
Generalization or disorganization existed.
To the brave officers and soldiers who nc
in the face OF the enemy, owe everything
for the failure in attack am responsible
AS the extreme gallantry, courage and en-
durance shown by them was never exceeded,
and would have carried the points had II
been possible.
To the families and friends OF the dead
can only offer my heartfelt sympathies, but
for the wounded can offer my earnest prayers
for their comfort and final recovery.
The fact that decided to move from War
renton to this line, rather against tho opinion
of the President, Secretary Of War, and your
self. and that you lett the whole movement
in my hands, without giving me orders,
makes me responsible.
Twill visit you very soon, and give you
more definite information, and finally | will
send you my detailed report, in which special
acknowledgement will be made Of the SER
vices of the different grand divisions, corps,
and general and staff departments of the
army of the Potomac, to whom am 80 much
indebted for their hearty cooperation.
Twill add here, that the movement was
made earlier than you expected, and after the
President, Secretary Of War, and yourself,
requested me not to haste, for the reason that
we were supplied much sooner by the differ.
ent staff departments than was anticipated
when last saw YOU.
Our killed amounts to 1852 our wounded
to about 1000, and our prisoners to 700,
which last have been paroled, and exchanged
for about the same number taken by us.
The wounded were all removed to this side
of the river, and are being well cared for,
and the dead were all buried under flag OF
truce. The surgeons report much larger
proportion of slight wounds than usual, /,
632 only being treated in hospital.
am glad to represent the army at present
time in good condition. Thanking the Gov
errment for that entire support and conf.
dencc which have always received IRON
them, | remain, General,
Very resp'y your ob't servant,
a. Z. BURNSIDE,
Maj. Gen. Cong Army Of Potomac.