The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-12-25
Gen. Burnpide's Report Of the late
Battle,
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
FALMoUTH, W., Dec. l9, 1867:

HEApQUARTERs ARMY OF THE PoToMAc,}
FALMoUTH, Va, Dec. 19. 1862
To IL. w. Halieok, General-in Chief Washington
GENERAL: / have the honor TO offer
the Z following reasons tor having
movied the army Of the Potomac
across the Rappahannock 500 ner
than was anticipated, by the request
of the Secretary of%War or yourself,
and for crossing at a point different
from the one indicated to you at our
last meeting at the Presidents.
During my preparations for cross
ing at the place [ had at first selected,
discovered that the enemy had
thrown a large portion of msa force
down the river and elsewhere, thus
weakening his defences in front; and
also that / discovered that he did not
anticipate the crossing Of our whole
force at Fredericksburg, and | hoped,
by throwing the whole command over
at that place to separate by a vigor-
Gus attack the forces of the enemy, on
the river below from the force behind
and on the crest in the rear of the
town, in which case we could fight
him with great advantage in our favor.
To do this we had to gain a hight
on the extreme right of the crest,
which hight commanded the new road
lately made by the enemy for purpos-
es of more rapid communication along
his lines, which point gained, his po-
sitions along the right crest would
have been scarcely tenable, and he
could have been diven from them ca
silly by an attack on his front i'll cons
nection with a movement on. the rear
of the crest. ,12sa .-.... Q, -.
How near we came, to accomplish
ing our object, future reports will
show. .--f.s, +s'r.s s. ri 3 o.
But for the fault and unexpected and
unavoidable delay in building the
bridges which gave the enemy "a
hours more to concentrate his, forces
in his strong positions, we would al
most certainly have succeeded, IN
which case the battle would have
been, in my opinion tar more decisive
than if we had crossed at the place
first selected. AS it was, we came
very near a success. Failing in ac-
ccmplishing the main object, we re-
manned in order OF battle two days,
long enough to decide that the enemy
would not come out Of his stronghold
to fight us with his infantry, after
which we crossed to this side of the riv
er unmolested without the loss of men
property.
AS the day broke. our long lines of
troops were seen marching to their
different positions as if going on parade
Not the least demorlization Or dis
organization existed. To the brave
officers and soldiers who accomplished
the feat ofrecrossing the river in the
face of the enemy, l owe everything.
For the failure in the attack, l am re-
sponsible. As the extreme gallantry
courage and endurance shown by
them was never exceeded, and would
have carried the points, had it been
possible. To the families and friends
of the dead, can only offer my heart
felt sympathies; but for the wounded
can offer my earnest prayers for their
comfortable and final recovery.
The fact that l decided to move
from Warrenton on to this line, rather
against the opinion of the President
Secretary OF War. and yourself, and
that you left the whole movement in
my hands, without giving me orders.
makes me responsible. l will visit you
very soon and give you more definite
information, and finally will send you
my detailed report in which special
acknowledging Mt will be made of the
services Of the different grand divis>
ions, division corps, and my general
and staff departments of the Army OF
the Potomac, to whom 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 President, Secretary, and
yourself requested me not to be in
haste, ior the reason that we were sup
piled much sooner by the different
staff Departments than was anticipa>
| ted
! Our killed amounts to 1852, our
| wounded to about 5000 and our prls-
oners to about 700, which last have
been paroled and exchanged for about
the same number taken by us.
The wounded were all removed to
this side of the river and are being
well cared for, and the dead were all
buried under a flag of truce.
The surgeons report is much larger
proportion of slight wounds than usu>
al 1852 only, being treated in hos>
pitfalls.
am glad to represent the army at
the present time in good condition.
Thanking the government for that
entire support and confidence which 1
have always received from them, I
remain, General, very respectfully
your obedient servant.
A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major General Commanding.