, 1862-12-23
THE WAR IN VIRGINIA.
Gen. Burnside's Report of the
Late Battle.
What the Committee on the Conduct
Of the War Will Say.

What the Committee on the Conduct
Of the War Will Say.
Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tsibuae.1
WASHINGTON, Dec. e, 1862,
The Committee on the Conduct Of the War
will mike their report about Fredericksburg
tomorrow. The statements Of losses, re-
sppnsibility, ETC., will correspond with those
in Burnsiae's preliminary official report made
public to-day, and will differ little if any from
statements already made Oh this subject in
these dispatches:
The general feeling here since the publica-
ton Of the official report is one Of kindness
to Burnside, and even confidence in him. It
disarms all hostile criticisms, it being appa-
rent to every one that without coneealment
it tells the worst.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TILE PoroALc,l
FALMOUTH, Va, Dec. 19, 1862.
GENERAL: have the honor to Offer the fol
loving reasons for moving the army of the
Potomac across the Rappahannoc}z sooner
than was anticipated, by. the request Of the
Secretary Of War or yourself, and for cross
ing at point different from the one indicated
to You at our last meeting at the Presidents:
During my preparations for crossing at the
place ] had at first selected, discovered that
the enemy had thrown Il large portion Of his
force down the river and elsewhere thus
weakening lis dcfenses in trout; and also
TINT discovered that he did not anticipate
the crossing Of our whole force at
Frederick sburg, and hoped, by throwing the
Whole command over at that place to sepa-
raie BY vigorous attack the forces Of the cu-
envy, 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 atl-
vantage in our favor.
To do this we had to gain hight on the ex-
irene right Of the crest, which hight com
m:pdcd the new road lately made By the enc
my for purposes Of more rapid communica-
tion along his lines, which point gained, his
positions along the right crest would have
been scarcely tcnablc, and he could have been
driven from them easily by an attack on his
front in connection with Il movement on the
rear Of the crest.
How near we came to accomplishing OH
cbjcct, future reports will show.
But for the fault and unexpected and una
vuidable delay in. building the bridges which
gave the enemy "a hours more to concentrate
his forces i'll his strong positions. We would
| almost certainly have succeeded, in Which
c,ssc tho battle would have been, i'll nly opinion
far more decisive than if we had crossed a
the places first selected, As it was, we can't
| very ncara Ct success. Failing in accomplish
| ing the main object, VIC remained in order..o
battle two days, long cnoughto decide tha
| The enemy would not come out Of lis strong
hold to fight US with his infantry, after whic1
VIC crossed 10 this side Of the river unmolcstei
without the loss Of men OF property,
! As the day broke, our long lines Of troop
were seen marching to. their different posi-
tions as if going on parade.
Not the least decentralization or 1isorganiza
ton existed. To the brave officers and sol
dies who accomplished the feat Of reeros5in
tie river in the face Of the enemy, I ow
everything. For the failure i'll the attack,
a,n rcsponsibie- As The extreme gallautr5
courage aud endurance shown by them vi,
never exceeded, and woull have carried th
points, had it been possible. To the fanilie
and friends Of the dead, I can only offer III
heartfelt sympathics; but for the wounde
can offer my earnest prayers for their con
Portable and final recovery.
The fact that decided TO move from Wa
renton on to this line, rather against the opi
ion Of the President, Secretary Of War, al
yourself, and that you left the whole NOV
ment in my hands, without giving me order
| makes me responsible. will visit you ye
t soon and give you more definite information
and finally will scsd you my detailed repo
in which special acknowledgment will
made Of the services Of the different grand
I, visions, division corps, and my general al
/ staff departments Of the Army Of the Pot
mac, to whom I aSn so much indebted f
1 their support and hearty cooperation.
9 I will add here that the movement II
G made earlier than you expected, and after t
President Secretary, and yourself request
| ut uNsL u w III 44stSAC4 Aol LIZ 4EtASoA luIAo
K were supplied much sooner by the difere
Staff Departments than was anticipated.
! Our killed amounts to ], ,152, our wound
t. to about 1900, and OUT prisoners to abe
n 100, which last have been paro1cd and {
, changed for about the same number taken
V us.
C The wounded were all removed to this 81
s. of the river aud are being we'll cared for, a
% tile dead were all buried under a flag Of tru
IL The surgeons report is a much larger y
III portion Of slight wounds than usual,
y only being treated in hospitals.
u 1 am glad to represent the army at the I
sent time in good condition.
/ Thanking the government for thai en
~ support and confidence which lmve alw
y received FROM them, I remain, General, :
IA respectfully, your obcdient servant.
W 4. E. BURNSIDE,
Major General Commanding