Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-12-26
WAR News.


General-l have the honor to offer tn
following reasons for moving the army o
the Potomac ocross the RappahannocI
sooner than was anticipated by the Presi
dent, Secretary of War and yourself an,
for crossing at point different from tn
one indicated to you at our last mcetin:
at the Presidents
During my preparations for crossing a
the place | had just selected, discovere,
that the enemy had thrown large portion
of his force down the river and elsewhere
thus weakening his forces in front, and also
thought [ Uncovered that he did not an
tlcipate the crossing Of our whole force al
Fredericksburg, and | hoped by rapidly
throwing the command over at that place
to separate by a vigorous attack, the forces
Of the enemy on the river below from the
forces behind and on the crest in the rear
Of the town, in which case we could fight
him with great advantages in our favor.
To do this we had u gain height on the
extreme right Of the crest, which height com
nandel new road lately made by the en-
my for the purpose OF N IRE rapid c0mmunicI-
ton along hs lines, which point gained, his
position along the crest would have been
scarcely tenahle, and he could have been drlv,
IN from them easily by an attack on their
front, in connection with q movement in the
rear OF the crest.
How near We came Of accomplishing our
object but for the tOg and unexpected and un-
ayoidable delay in building the bridge, which
gave the enemy 1t hours more to concentrate
his Forces in his strong position, We would
most certainly have succeeded in which tia
hattie would have been in my opinion far more
decisive than il we had crossed Mt tie pl4c :
first selected. As it vas We came very near
success.
Failing in accomplishing tic main object
we remained in ord n OF battle two days, long
enough to decide that the enemy would not
come out of hi. stronghold to fight US with
his infantry. after which we crossed - Thu
side of the river, unmolcs:ed and without tue
loss OF men and property.
As the day broke our long lines OF troops
were seen marching - their different ? 1sltions
as if going on parade. Mt tie least delaor-
alization or dis ,rganization exi,ted.
To the brave officers and soldiers who &C
complisned the feat Of the re-crossing the riv-
er in the face OF the enemy owe every hing
For the failure in attaca am respJnsb.e,-
as the extreme galaniry, courage and enia,
rance shown by them WAS never exceeded, and
would have carried the points had 1t beea P IS
sible.
To the families and friends Of the dead |
can only otter my heartfelt sympathies; but
Tor the wounded | can Offer my earnest pray
ers for their comfortable and final rec very.
The fact that decided - IN we from War
renton into this line. rather against the opin-
e Al. & v 4
yourself, and that You left the whole move
ment in my hands, without giving NE orders
makes me responsible
will visit you very soon and give more
definite information, and finally will send
you my detailed report in which special ac
acknowledgement will be made Of the services
of the different grand division corps, and my
General and staff departments of the army OF
the Potomac, to whom | am mach lndebt-
cd tor their support and hearty corporation
| will add here that the movement was
made earlier than You expected, aud 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 TIE
different staff departments than WAS antcipa-
ted when | last saw YOU.
Our killed amount to llj2, our wounded to
have been paroled and cxchan. ei Tor about
the same number taken by u.
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 hag OF
truce.
The Surgeons report much larger proper
ton of slight wounds than usual, 1852 only
being treated in hospital.
a., In 70 he r-ny q the rrps-
ent time ia good condition.
Thanking the Government tor that entire
support and confidence which | have always
received from them | remain. General,
Very respectfully your obi serv't
A (. burnside,
Mi Gen. Com & Army Of Potomac.
NEW YORK, 9th.
The Washington S'ar of yesterday even
ing, says;
a caucus OF Republican Senator'S was
held here on the 10th. A resolution was
offered, requesting the President to dispense
with the services OF Mr.. Seward, and dis
cussed, the vote b-ing l6 in favor a.ains,
l3.
On the 18th, another caucus sdopted q
substitute, Recommending the Presid lit t,
partially remodel his Cabinet, was unani
ing it would be regarded as a general inyi,
tation to the whole Cabinet to resign.
On being informed Of the fact, the Secre
tary and Assistant Secretary sent in thei
immediate resignation.
The steamer lIausa sailed to-day tor Eu
rop, with 50 passengers and S30,00o II
specie.
HEApouARrERs Department North
Carolina, Dec. II 1862
M,ior General lialleck, General in Chief
i have the honor u inform you that | let
New bern for this place on the 18th INST
but owing to bad roads and conseq 'enti.
DELAYS to my trains, &c, | did not reach tn
South West Greek. five miles from TIL
town. until the 18Th inst. The enemy wer'
posted there, bat heavy artillery hte IN
front, and a vigorous infantry attack on tn
flank succeeded in forcing u pAssase, ALI
without much loss.
Tais morning | advanced on the town ans
found the enemy strongly posted at dehl
thru marsh bordering on IA creek In
posi,ion was so well chosen that very littl
of our artillery could be brought in play
The main attack, therefore was made by tn
infantry, ss.stsd by few guns pushed ior
ward in the roads.
After o few hours hard fight, We sue
ceedsd ia driving the enemy from their pos
ton. We followed them rapidly to th
river. The bridges over the Neu'e river Il
this place was prepared for firing an