Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-12-23
THE DEBATES OF CONGRESS.
Seward and Chase still in the
Cabinet.
The President declined to accept
their designations.
FROmTHE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
FALMOUTH, Va, Dec. IS.

1 HEADQUARTERS Army OF 1OTOAAC, I
FALMOUTH, Va, Dec. 19.
To H. W. Hslleck, General-in- Chief
/ Washington-General:- Il have the honor
to offer the following reasons for moving
the Army Of the Potomac across the Rap
| pahannock, sooner than was anticipated
by the President, Secretary Of War, OF
yourself, and for crossing at a point diff
fering from the one indicated by you at
our last meetingsat the Presidents. Du-
ring my preparation for crossing at the
place 1 had FIRST selected, discovered that
the enemy had thrown large portion Of
his force down the river and elsewhere,
thus weakening his sfences in 'front.' and
also discovered tfat he did not antici-
pate the crossing Of our whole force at
Fredericksburg, and hoped by rapidly
throwing the whole command over at that
place 10 Separate by Vigorous attach tic
forces of the enemy on the river below
from the forces 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 height on
the extreme right of the crest which
height covered the new road lately made
by the enemy for purposes of more rapid
Communication along his lines, which
point gained, his positions along the right
crest would have been scarcely tenable,
and he could have been driven from them
easily by an attack on his front. In con-
nection with movement on the rear Of
the crest, how near we came to accomplish
ing an object, future reports will show,
but for the fault and unexpected and una
voidable delay in building the bridges,
which gave the enemy "a hours more to
concentrate his forces in his strong posi-
tions, we would almost certainly have
succeeded, in which case the battle would
have been, in my opinion, far more deci-
sive than if we had crossed at the places
first selected; but as it was, we came very
near success.
Failing in accomplishing the main OBJ
ject we remained in order of battle two
days-long enough to decide that the
enemy would not come out Of his strong
holds to fight us with his infantry, after
which we crossed to this side Of the river
unmolested, without the loss of men or
property. As the day broke our long lines
oftroops were seen marching to their diff
ferent positions, as if going on parade, not
the least generalization or disorganiza-
ton existed.
To the brave officers and soldiers who
accomplished the feat of re-crossing the
river in the face Of the enemy 1 owe eve
rything. For the failure Of the attack
am responsible, as the extreme gallantry,
courage and endurance shown by them
was never exceeded and would have car
ried the points had it been possible. To
the families and friends Of the dead, can
only offer my heartfelt sympathies; but
for tAe wounded l can offer my earnest
prayers for their comfortable and final re-
covery.
The fact that I decided to move from
Warrenton in to this line rather against
the opinions Of the President, Secretary of
War and yourself and that you left the
movement IN my Estrs..l, ~.
orders, makes me responsible.
will visit you very soon and give you
more definite information, and finally will
send you m detailed reports in which a
special Acknowledgment will be made Of
the services of the different grand divisions,
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 ear
lier than you expected, and after the
President Secretary and yourself request
ed me not to be in haste, from the reason
that we were supplied much sooner by the
different staff departments than was an
ticipated when l saw you.
Our killed amounts to !, 1,152, our wound
ed to about 5000, and our prisoners to
about 700, which last have been paroled
and exchanged for about the same number
taken by us. The wounded were all re-
moved to this side of the river and are be-
ing well cared for, and the dead were all
buried under flag of truce.
The Surgeons report much larger pro-
portion of slight wounds than usual, 1852
only being treated in hospital.
l am glad to represent the army at the
present time in good condition. Thanking
the Government for that entire support
and confidence which have always re-
ceived from them, remain General,
Very respectfully, your ob't serv't
A. E. BURNSIDE, Maj Gen. Com'dg.