Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-12-25
FROM THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
@ O N q r E s s.


New York, Dec. %.
Philadelphia paper publishes an account
Of the forthcoming report of the committee on
ire conduct OF the war, from which it appears
that Gen, Burnside's original plan was to
move suddenly to Fredericksburg, cross there,
open his base ofsuppies from Acquia Greek,
ard push rapidly on to Richmond. Y ~ 'H,
He expected TO get thirty or forty miles
south before the Rebels osnlo up, and If they
gave him battle, he felt perfectly confident or
his ability to crush them and drive them into
their works at Richmond. '
He was promised pontoons and supplies at
| Falmouth Sumner reached there bit fonnd
- 2. a'rage}or supplies. .i.' '..3 t.- st.A.
- 1'h,,- ~ ., omission that saved the
Rebel army and capital. $50.
1t gave them delay of two days, in which
the heights opposite were fortified. jackson
and Hill arrived by forced marches, and every
available Rebel soldier in Eastern Virginia
reached 1Burnside's front Nft 871 t.43 q"
gAt asst our army was ready to move. Sew
eral plans were proposed. Burnside's was to
carry the first line Of Rebel works by storm,
and then follow them so rapidly that they
could not make a stand behind the 1shers,
when they were to be driven by the reserves
until decmated and forced TO surrender or dis
perse to the mountains,
The plans were approved by the leading
Generals, except Hooker who dissented, but
agreed to lend his energies to the attack. 1t
was endorsed by Halieck, who had previously
issued orders that the rebels must be at
! tackled n#a stH 'aaF3g 2aF rs m
| Gen. Meigs throws the blame OF the non
arrival of the pontoons on tho Engineers. but
| Gen.. Halleck sa IS they are in no way respon-
sible for any details regarding the move
ments. .s.s ssF 1at. ..sa ...sr. s. ,,.ss
| Gen. Woodbury. says the delay was on ac-
count of their not having been started in time
and the bad roads. II, ..-z. wi. ....g.., ,r.
The President and Secretary of War are
entirely free from responsibility. The censure
will all fall upon military men. .....
. aaa Washington, Dec. %.
The committee do not censure any one IN
their report, which only gives the fScts they
have collected, and on which Congress may
pass judgment. t@i&
Gen. Hooker testiies that in his opinion, all
the troops in the world could not have taken
the rebel position bvan assault in trent. "'~ /
Gen. Burnside differs from Gen. Hooker on
I this point. "Aff
There is some evidence against Gan. Frank
lin which will not be made publicat present.
In the matter of the pontoons, Gen. Halleck
( testified before the committee, nat he had
given the proper orders to have them sent on,
and that there his responsibility end,. He says
that with the direction and Management of
100000 troops on his shoulders, le cannot be
expected to look after details.
In this Gen. .Meigs supports Gen. Hal
i lack.
Gems. Burnside, Sumner, Hooler and 9th
ers testified before the commtteethat IN their
opinion Halleck and Meigs are esponslble for
the failure of the pontoons.
Gen. Halleck in his TESTIMONY made the I'M
portant point that at the time Cen. Burnside
moved from Warrenton towars Fredercks-
burg, the Aoquia Creek Railroad was not in
our military control, and that therefore the
pontoons could not have been seit to Falmouth
by way of this railroad nor coud the railway
have been repaired. #