Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1862-12-26

the Secretary Of War;" or the fault Of
the General-in. Chief" The General
was overuled By civilians in office, who
drsarrarged bis plans, and compelled him
to 90 on" These charges we're all fa'se,
as to the Chick abomlny disasters How
utterly base aud .roundcs, they are DOW,
will be seen by the following frank, mani y
avowal Of the officer in command, showing
that Burnside, land not LINCOLN, STAN
TON or HALLEcK) is the resi- onsltle man
Report from Gen. Burnside.
Headquarters Army of the Potomac, !
December 10, 1867.
To II W H,teck, Generui-m- Chief L S 4
Geaeral-I have the honor to offer the
following reasons for moving the Army Of
the Potomac across the RappabannOck
sooner than was anticipated by the Presi-
dent, Secretary of War, or yourself, and
for crossing at point different from the
one indicated hy y,u at our last meeting
at the Presidents.
During my preparations for crossing a,
the plscs had FIRST selected, | discovered
that the enemy had thrown a large por-
ton Of bis force down the river aud else
where, thus weakening his defences in
frnnt; aud | also thought | discovered
that be did not anticipate the crossing Of
our whole f,rce a. Fredericksburg, and
hoped. by rapidly throsiug ths whole
c,nnaud "ser ~ 'hai p lace, 10 separate,
by a vigorous attack, the forces of the
envm d.. 4c YER brl,w from the forces
behind aud On the CT, I, aud 10 the rear
Of 'be town, 10 whicn case We could fyht
him with er".t aIsauiag" 10 our favor
t. d. thl,, se had To- gam a height 40 the
extreme right Of the crest, which height
com mludtd d hew ,si lsteis made by the
eurmy for the purpose ot more rapid com-
mun,c.t,on along bis hur-, which point
gained MS pH-ni'u aspn. the crest would
have beeu scarcely renah'e, aud he cuu:d
have beeo driven from them easily by an
attack on his front in coDn-cii,n with a
"Srinrut III the rear of the crest.
ii ~ u-ar We ciui- To accomplishing our
oi ct, fu'ure rtpIrts will show. Bus for
the fog and unexpected and unavoidable
delay of huiiiIug the bridges, which gave
the eu-mv tSrnty-fnur boIrs more to crn-
c"urra'e hi- forces III his -'roug positions,
We could almost certainly have succeeded,
In winch case the battle .uid have been.
in NV opinion. far more decisive than II
We hai crossed at the places FIRST selected
as i, was, We came very near success.
Failing IN accomplishing the main Oh
j~ct, We remained 10 order Of battle two
DAYS, long enough TO decide that the enr-
my Would not come ont of his rrugbnld.
to h.ht u. with his infantry, after ~tIch
We rccrussed to this side OF the river, un-
IN le-trd, wrhnu' loss Of m"n or properly.
As the day broke, our long lines Of
troops were seen marching to their dlffrr-
eDt positions as if goiug On parade. Not
the least decentralization or dIsorganiz.tlou
existed.
To the brave officers and soldiers who
accomplished the feat of thus reero-.ins 10
the face ot the enemy, | owe everything.
F"r the failure in the attack, | am re-pon-
slble, as the extreme gailsutry, courage
aud endurance shown by ;h-m was never
excelled, and wouli have carried the points
bad 1t been possible.
To the families aud friends Of the dead,
| can only offer my heartfelt sympathy,
but for the wounded can offer my earn
est prayers for their comfort and 6ual
recovery.
The fact that | decided 10 move from
W arrenton on TO this line rather against
the oplnion Of the President, Secretary aud
yourself, and that you have left the whole
mnsement 10 my hands without giving
NE orders, makes me the more responsible.
will visit you very soon, and give you
more definite information, and 6ually will
send you my detailed report, 10 which
'pecia! acknowledgement will be made of
he services of the dIfereuf grand divisions.
'orps, aud my general and personal staff
departments of the Army Of the Potomac,
o whom | am much indebted for their sup
'ort aud hearty corporation.
| will add, here, that the movement was
made earlier than you expected, and after
he President, Secretary, aud yourself re-
ues,ed the not to be in haste, for the
easou that We we're supplied much sooner
y the different staff departments than was
when | last saw you.
Our killed amount to l. l.l5:2 our wounded
bout 5000, our prisoners about 900.
'bIch have been psr"lled and exchanged
Jr about the same number taken By US.
TIE wounded we're all removed 10 this ,
de Of ruc aver fgre the evacustiou, aud
re being we'll cared for. Tue dead were
Il hurled under d.g of truce.
The sur Icons report a mucn more large
than usual Of slight wounds
$50 only being treated iu the hospitals. t
| am glad to represent the army at the {
resent time in good condition.
Thsnkins the Government for that en-
re support aud confidence which have
ways received from them, remain,
enersl, very respectfully,
Your Obediebf servant, O
A. f. BURNSIDE. &
sj. Gen. Cong Army Of the Potomac. .
n,oauh,, % 1859 In mo renoyt of