The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-12-30
Gen. Eurnside's Report.

BURNsIDE's manly letter to General HAL
LEck. taking upon himself the whole re-
sponsibility of the movement over the
Rappahannock. We also give his testi
mony before the committee of Congress
on the conduct of the War, detailing the
plan of his campaign, and the reasons
for his actions. This testimony has been
a sad blow to the Democratic sympathiz-
ers with secession throughout the North.
who, after the failure of the attack at
Fredericksburg, set up ferocious howl
against President Lincoln and Gen. Hal
leck, as being the butchers of our men,
by forcing them over the river and
against the entertainments Of the enemy,
despite of the remonstrance Of all the
commanders OF the army. This charge
was made by the Democratic press
throughout the country in the most pos
tive and offensive manner, coupled with
the assertion, which they are constantly
repeating, that to prevent the entire sac,
rifice of the army and of the country it
is necessary that the administration
should be oyerthrown. Unfortunately for
their arguments, Gen. BURNSIDE de-
clares he has not only not been interfered
with by the authorities at Washington,
but that his movement was unexpected
by them, and made in direction differ,
ent from what the commander-in chief
had recommended. The President and
Gen. HALLEcK had told him to take his
own time, to demand whatever be deem
ed necessary for success, and they would
see that it was furnished him. Not a
particle Of pressure was brought to bear
upon him at Washington. The plan at
tempted was his own. 1t was daring
and brilliant, but failed. Deeply sensi-
BILE Of the sad results Of the failure, he
nevertheless freely, and in most manly
manner, acknowledges that upon him
rests the entire responsibility.
We believe that Notwithstanding the
failure of this movement, the country
has greater confidence in Gen. BURNSIDE
than ever. They see that they can de-
pend upon him TO fight whenever the
opportunity offers. They see in the
ability of his advance and retreat over
the river, evidences of an excellent COM
mander. They know that in his hands
advantages will not be allowed to fritter
away unimproved. The very freedom
with which he has submitted his plan Of
operations to the public gaze, and ex,
hibitei the causes and results Of his fail
ure, have fortified rather than depressed
the public mind. The pulse of the
country, as felt on change, shows no d.
munilion of confidence, and gives evil
dence that the President speaks the sen,
timent Of the country respecting the
movement, when he says: 1.-the at
tempt was not an error, nor the failure
other than an accident" The prompt.
ness and daring OF the General, and the
splendid bravery of the troops, exhibit
ed at Fredericksburg, has given the
country greater faith in the army of the
Potomac than has ever been previously
felt. The President promptly acknowl
edged the country's obligation to the
army by issuing the following address
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON,
Dee. %, 1862
To tie Army Of tie Potomac i have Just
read your Commanding Generals preliminary
report of the battle of fredericksburg AL
though you were not successful, the attempt
was not IN error, nor the failure other than an
accident. The courage with which you, in an
open field, maintained the contest against an
intrenched foe, and the consummate skill and
success with which you crossed and recrossed
the river in the face Of the enemy, shows that
yon posses all the qualities of great army.
which will yet give victory to the cause of the
country and Of popular government. Condoi-
ing with the nso4irAers for the dead, and sym
pathizing with the severely wounded, | con
graduate you that the number of both is com.
paratiyely SO small 1 tender you, officers and
soldiers, the thanks of tbe nation.
(Signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN.