Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-31
A DISPATCH FROM GEN. BURNSIDE.
His Reasons for Crossing the Rappahannock

His Reasons for Crossing the Rappahannock.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY oa THE PoroaAC,
December 9, 1862.
To Major General Haileck, Generai-in- Chief ::
GENERAL: l have the honor to offer the fol-
lowing reasons for moving the Army of the
Potomac across the Rappahannock sooner
than was anticipated by the President, Secre-
tary, or yourself, and for crossing at point
different from the one indicated to you at our
last meeting at the Presidents:
During my preparations for crossing at the
place | had first selected, l discovered that
the enemy had thrown large portion of his
force down the river and elsewhere, thus
breaking his defences in front, and also thought
| discerned that he did not anticipate the
crossing of our whole force at Frederick sburg,
and hoped, by rapidly throwing the whole
command over at that place to separate, by
vigorous attack, the forces of the enemy on
the river below from the forces behind and on
the crest and in the rear of the town in which
case we could Eight him with great advantage
in our favor.
To do this we had to gain height on the
extreme right OF the crest which height com
manded new road lately made by the enemy
for the purpose of more rapid communication
along his lines, which point gained, his posi-.
tion along the crest would have been scarcely
tenable, and be could have been driven from
there easily by an attack on his front, in con-
nection with movement in the rear of the
crest.
How near we came tc accomplish our OBJ
ject, future reports viii show. But for the
fog and unexpected and unavoidable delay in
building the bridges, which gave the enemy
twenty -four hours more to concentrate his
forces in bis strong positions, We would al
most certainly have succeeded, in which case
the battle would have been, in my opinion,
far more decisive than if We had crossed at
the places first selected. AS it was, We came
Very near success.
Failing in accomplishing the main object,
we remained in order of battle two days-long
enough TO decide that the enemy would not
come ont of his stronghods to fight US with
his infantry, after which we recrossed to this
side of the river, unmolested, without the loss
of men or property.
As the day broke, our long lines OF troops
were seen marching to their different posi-
tions, as if going on parade. Not the least
demoraiizaiion or disorganizaton existed.
To the brave officers and soldiers who ac-
complished the feat OF thus recrossing in the
face of the enemy, owe every thing. For
the failure in the attack 1 am responsible, as
the extreme gaiiantry, courage and endurance
shown by them was never exceiled, and would
have carried the points had it been possible.
To the families and frie nds of the dead, /
can only offer my heartfelt sympathy; but for
the wounded l can offer my earnest prayers
for their comfor, and final recovery.
The fact that l decided to move from War
renton TO this line rather against the opin-
ion of the President, Secretar, and yourself,
and that you have left the whole movement in
my hands without giving ME orders, makes
me the more responsible.
will 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 services of
the different Grand Divisions, Corps, and my
general and personal staff departments of the
Army of the Potomac, to whom am so much
indebted for their support aud hearty co-ope-
ration.
l will add here, that the movement was
made earlier than you expected. and after the
President, Secretary, aud yourself requested
me not to be in haste, for the reason that we
were supplied much sooner by the different
Staff Departments than was anticipated when
/ last saw you.
Our killed amount to / ,l52, our wounded
bout 5000, our prisoners about 900, which
have been parolied and exchanged for about
the same number taken by us.
The wounded were all removed to this side
of the river before the evacuation, and are be-
ing well cared for. The dead were all buried
under flag of truce. The Surgeons report a
much larger proportion than usual of slight
wounds-1 $50 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
support and confidence which l have always
received from them,
l remain, General, very respectfully your o.
bedient servant, A. E. Burnside.
Major Gen. Com. Army of the Potomac.
HEApaUARTERs Army of the Potomac, De-
cember 3d. l962.-To Maj Gen. Halleck, Gen.
eral-in-Chief: In my report to You of the 18th
inst, the number of our wounded stated was
about 5000, and the number receiving hospi-
tai treatment as 1880; both of these amounts
are wrong. On authority of DR.. Letterman,
our medical director, learn that the whole
number of wounded is between 5000 and
1000, and about half of these are receiving