Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-12-23
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N ID. N ( q a. IL 20 Il Il
Du,ns,de's Report.
uEApouARrERs ARMY OF poroM

near Falmouth, Dee. 10.
10 H. ". Udiiecl
have the honor To offer the following
reasons for moving the army Of the ro-
tomac across the knppahannock sooner
than was anticipated by the President
Secretary Of War or yourself, and for
crossing ut point different from the one
Indicated TO you at our last meeting al
the Presidents.
During my preparations for crossing
al the place hap at first selected dis
covered that the enemy had thrown u
large portion Of his force down the river
and elsewhere, thus weakening his de-
lenses in front, and also discovered that
he did not anticipate the crossing Of our
whole force at fredericksburg, and |
hoped by rapidly throwing the whole
command over at that plaec TO separate,
by wig rous attack, the forces of the
enemy in the river below from the forces
behind and on the crest IN the rear Of the
tovtl, IN which case We could fight hlm
with great advantage in our favor. To
do tins We had TO gain height on tie
extreme right Of the crest, which height
commanded the new road lately made hy
the enemy for purposes OF more rapid
communication along his lines, winch
point gained, his positions along the
,iget crest would have been rendered un-
tcnabe and he could have been driven
from them easily by an attack ON hls
front in connection with movement on
the rear Of the crest.
How near we came to accomplishing
our object further reports Will show
But for the fault and unexpected and un-
svoidahc delay IN building the bridges,
which gave the enemy - hours more 10
concentrate his forces IN his strong posi-
tons, We would certainly have succeeded,
IN which case the battle would have been
far more decis ,e than if we hal crossed
ut the place first selected. As it was we
came very near success.
Failing in accomplishing the main OBJ
lcct. We removed IN order OF battle. =
Two DAYS was long enough 10 decide
that the enemy would not come out Of
his strong noIds to fight us with his
fantry, after which we crossed to thu
side of the river unnolcstcd and uuhurt
IN the .oss OF men or property. AS the
day broke our long lines ot troops were
seen marccing to their different positions
IA. if going on parade not the least de
morallza,ion OF disorganlzation existed.
To the brave officers and soldic;s who
accomplished the feat of rc-crosslng the
rifcr IN the face OF the enemy, owe
everything. For the failure IN the attack
am responsibIe,a rs the extreme gallantry,
courage aud endurance shown by them
was never exceeded onn would have car
RED the point, had it been possible. To
the families and friends ot the dead,
can only offer my heartfelt syrnpathcs
but for the woonded, ! can oiicr my
earnest prayers for their comfortable ami
final rcco.cry. The fact that ! decided
to move from Warrcnton to this line,
rather against the opinion Of the Prcsl
dent, Secretary Of war aud yourself, and
that YOU left the whole movement IN my
hands without giving me orders, makes
me responsible ! viii visit you very
soon and give YOU mole definite inlorma
ton, and finally will send you my de-
tailed report, III which Especial acknowl
cdgemcnt will be made OF the services Of
the different grand divisions, division
corps and my general and staff depart
mcnt, TO whom am so much indebted
for their support and hearty cooperation.
| will add here that the movement was
made earlier than you expected aud al
ter the President, Secretary OF War and
youreIf requested me not to be in haste,
for the reason that We were supplied
much sooner by the different staff de-
partmcnts than was anticipated when
saw you.
Our killed amounts TO | i 55 our woun-
ded TO about 1900 and our prisoners to
about 700, which last have been paroled
and exchanged for abont The same mum
Der taken by us. The wounded were
all rcu owed to this side Of the river and
arc being well cared for and the dead
were all buried under flag Of tru.c.--
The Surgeons report a much larger pro
portion Of slight wounds than usual
1882 only being treated in hospitals.
am glad TO represent the army at the
present time in good condition. Thank
ing the government for that entire sup
port and confidence which have always
received from them, remain, General
very respectfully your obcdicut servant
A. L. BuaxsiDE,
Maj. Gen. Com.