Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-12-19

FRIDAY. DECEMBER 10, 1864.
FROM THE ARMY OF THE POTO
MAC
CEDAR FALLS. IOwA "A.

FROM THE ARMY OF THE POTO.
-= MAC.
In this paper we give summary account
fthe movements ofthe army of the Potomac
from the time it commenced crossing the
Rappahannock at Fredericksburg on the
morning of the ] 1th inst, up to the time the
army r. crossed the river on the night Of the
10Th. A few days ago the heart of the ma
ton was animated with the intelligence that
Burnside and his magnificent host had cross
ed the river, met the enemy, and that there
would would be no stop to his onward pro-
grcss until the rebel capital lay PROSTATE at
the feet Of the Union army, and it's rebellious
defenders scattered and overthrown-
We hear of one days severe fighting, in
which neither party gained any decided ad-
vantage. Then comes the saddenlng news
that our army, in the midst of a stormy, rainy
night, secretly and noselessly, evacuate their
position, and puts the Rappahannock again
between them and their foes. 1t seems that
Burnside became fully convinced that the
euemy's position could not be carried, and
that it was on his part military necessity to
either attack or retreat. The latter was sue
cesSfully accomplished without any loss Of
men or property. No doubt Burnside acted
wisely in retreating as he did, but should
he not have learned that the enemy's posi-
ton was impregnable before fifteen or twen-
ty thousand precious human lives were sac
iliiced?
The Times correspondent thus describes
the rebel position which our forces were ex-
pected to storm and take, there is bare pla
teau of about third of a mile, which the
storming party would have to cross, in doing
which they would be exposed first to the fire
of the enemy's sharpshooters posted behind
a stone wall running along the base OF the
ridge, then double rife pit on the rise of
the crest. heavy batteries behind strong
earthworks that stand on the top Of the hill,
a powerful infantry force now lying CON
cea'ed behind these, and of plungng fire
from batteries on the lower range, then of a
double enfiading fire from cannon to the
the left of them. Sebastopol was not half so
strong.
1t makes the heart sick to record such blum
ders,-for this movement Of Burnside was
evidently great blunder. When shall we
find leader capable Of leading our gallant
army successfully? Now is the hour, where
is the MANI The telegraph states that Gen
Mcclellan had been ordered to Washington,
and has been in consultation with the Presi
dent and Cabinet. We should not be sur
prised if he was reinstated in command. We
have always been of the opinion that he is
the abest military leader We have, and tho
his slow and cautious movements have nevrl
kept pace with our feverish impotence, who
can say that if he had been allowed to retain
the command we would not have been near
er Richmond to-day than we are. We do no
blame Burnside as much as many do. Tht
ficulties to be overcome than babe unborn
demanded that battle be fought and because
Mcclellan would not fight when he saw moth
ing but defeat in store because he would no
hurl his army recklessly on the entrenchet
lines of the enemy, he was deprived Of hi
command Burnside has done what McClel
Ian refused to do, and with what result W,
have painful evidence. The battle was Tough
in answer to the demands of popular clamor
and in opposition to the teachings Of military
science. But the hosts must again be mar
shaded, the leader must be found and our Clio
rious Union army must yet go forth conquer
ing and to conquer, for God, Humanity ant
Right demand final success for Freedom
armies.
GEN. BANKS EXPEDITION There has beer
a good deal of speculation as to the destina
tim &C Can RnnL,c Exnrditinn which rncant