The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-12-31
NEWS OF THE WEEK.
Washington, Dec. %.

4 =
nations of the Secretary ofS,a,e, Mr.. Seward, and
the Secretary OF the Treasury. Mr.. Chase, and
has informed them after due elaboration, be has
come to the conclusion that the acceptance OF
, the public welfare. The President has therefore
requested both to resume their respective func-
tons. They have resumed their places at the
heads OF their respective Departments.
New York, Dec. %.
The Commercial has q Washington special,
ss-ing that there will be no change in the Csbi-
net. Those Who sent in their designations will
withdraw them
HEADQUARrKRs ARMY OF PoroNAc,
Falmouth Va l ecember 18th.
To Il. w. Hal eek, General 10 Chief:
GESERAL: ii have the honor to offer the fol
lowing reasons for moving the army of the Po-
tomsc across the Rappshannock sooner than Was
anticipated by the President, Secretary Of War
or yourself, and for crossing at pont different
from the one indicated by you at our last meet
ing q, the Presidents.
Durii g my preparations for crossing at the
place mad first selected, discovered that the
enemy had Ihr0wn q large portion of his force
dosn the river and elsewhere, thus weakening
his defences in front; and also discovered that
ne did not anticipate the crossing OF our whole
force at Fredericksburg, and hoped by rapidly
thro wing the whole 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 the Clest OF the bill in rear OF the
to~n, in which Case could fight him with
great advantage in our favor.
To do this We had to gain a height on the ex-
treLie right of the Crest. Which height com
msnded the new road lately made by the enemy
along the line, which point gained, his positions
along the right crest would have been scarcely
tenable, and he could have been driven from
there easily by attack On mis- front, in cOunec-
ton with movement on the rear Of the crest.
How near we came to accomplishing our OBJ
ject, future reports will shos. Had it not been
tor the unexpected aud unavoidable delay in
building the bridges, which gave the enemy
twenty four hours more to concentrate his for
ces in his strong positions, We would almost GER
tainly have succeeded in which case the battle
would have been, in my opinion, far more dsci
siye than if We had crVssed Tue places first Sc
As it vas, We came very near success. Fail
ing in accomplishing the main object, We re
manned in order Of battle two das s-long enough
to decide that the enemy would not come out o.
his strOngholds to Sight US with his infantry, af-
ter which We crossed to this side of the river
without the loss Of men or property.
As the day broke, our long lines of troops
we're seen marching to their differ ent positions
as if gong on parade-nos the leas. demoraliz "a
tio1 or Reorganization existed. To the brave
officers and soldiers who accomplished the flea,
Of recrossing the river in the face Of the enemy
Owe everything. For the failure in the attack
| am responsible, "a the extreme gallantry, cour.
age and endurance shown by them was never
exceeded, and would have carried the point had
t been possible.
To the families and friends Of the dead can
only offer my heartfelt synipathies; but for the
wounded l can offer my earnest prayers for
their comfort and final recovery.
The fact that decided to move from Wsrren.
con onto this line, rather against the opinion OF
the President, Secretary of war and yourself, and
that you left the whole movement in nv hands
without giving me orders, makes me RESPONSE
BILE.
will visit you very soon, and give you more
definite information, and ioally will send you my
detailed report, in which a special acknowledge
msnt will be made of the success of the differen,
grand divisions. division corps and my general
and staff departments of the army OF the Poto
mac, to whom l am so much indebted for their
support and hearty cooperation.
will 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 we're supplied
much sooner by the different staff departments
than was anticipated when saw you.
Our killed amounts to ,l52, our wounded to
about OOO and our prisoners to about 100
which last have been paroled and exchanged for
about the same number taken by Us.
The wounded we're all removed to this side oil
the river, and are being we'll cared for, and the
dead we're buried under flag CT truce.
The Surgeons report mnch larger proportion
of slight wounds than usual, only 1852 being
treated in he hospitals.
am glad to report the army at the present
time in good condition. Thanking the Govern
ment for that entire support and confidence
which have always received from them, re.
main, General,
Very respectfully yours,
A. E. Burnside, Maj. Gen. Com.
Washington, Dec. %.
The President has Issued the following ad.
dress:
EXECUTIVE MANSION. WASHINGTON,
December esd, 1862.
To the Army Of the Potomac:
hays ais FsesTs% ySus s1%@spd Ii R SeRs
icksblrg. The attempt vas not an error, nor
the failure other than accident. The courage
with which you on an open field maintained the
con est against an entrenched foe, and the con-
summste skill and success With which you crossed
and re crossed the river in the face of the eue-
my, show tina. you possess all the qualities of a
great army, which will yet give victory to the
cause Of the country, and of popular government
Copdoling With the mourners for the dead, and
sympsthizing With the severely wounded, con-