Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-12-25
Army of the Potomac.

General Burnside on Me late Repulse- Ills Rea.
sons for Crossing the RaRpahannOck-Hs As
sames all ResPOnsiJiWy-The President, Gen.
Hddeck. and Secretary Stanton Ersnerated.
HEADQUARTERs ARMY OF TUE PoroMAc.
December 10, 1862.
TO Mgor General Hailech, Geaeral-bi Cbbf
GENERAL: have the honor 10 offer the fol-
lowing reasons for moving the Army of the p
tomac across the Rappahaunock sooner than was
anticipated by the President, Secretary, or YOUR
seit, and for crossing at point different Gom
the one Indicated TO you at our last meeting nj
the Presidents;
During my preparations for crossing MT the
place | had first selected. | discovered that The
enemy had thrown large portion Of his force
down the river and elsewhere, thus breaking his
defenoes in front, and also thought discerned
that he did not anticipate the crossing of our
whole force at Fredericksburg und hoped. by
rapidly throwing the whole command over AT thai
place. to separate, by vigorous attack, the
forces Of the enemy on the river below from the
forces behind, and on the crest, und in the rear
Of the town; in which case we could fight linn
with great advantage in our favor.
To do this We had 10 gain a height on the
extreme right Of the crest which height com.
manded new road lately made by the enemy
Tor the purpose OF more rapid communication
"'"s 10 '"es' "ulon punt gained, his position
along the crest would have been SC ,rcely teuable
aud he could have been driven from there easily
by an attack on his front, in connection with a
movement IN the rear OF the crest
HOW near We came To accomplishing our oh
ject, future reports will show. But for tie fo,,
and unexpected and unavoidable DELAY m buiI
ding the bridges, which gave the enemy tRentv
four hours more to concentrate his force, in II
strong positions, We would almost certainly have
I Qmrngpnph N lFht A.
heeni In my opinion, far more decisive than il Wa
had crossed at the places first seleetel /. As il
was, we came near success
Failing IN accomplishing the main obisct We
remained in order of battle two days-iong
cupogh 10 decide that the euemy would ne,
cone cut of his strOngholds to Glht US wi,b his
iutabtry, alter which We recrossed to th,s sid.
OF tue river, unmolested, without the loss of men
or property.
AS The day broke, our long lines Of troops
we're seen marching tO their different positions
az i go'rg on parade Not the le4s, demoral =
'1alob or disorganizati0n existed
10 the brave ofhcers nnd soldiers who accom-
pl'sheu the ieut OF thus reerOssing in the tace o
Tue euemy owe everything. For the failure in
the attack am responsible, a. the extreme pal-
laniry, courage, and enduisuce shown by them
was never excelled, and would have carried III,
points had it been possible.
To tue families and friends of the dsa,l co,
only offer my heartfelt sympathy but for iii,
wounded can offer my earnest prayers far thei,
comfort and final recovery.
The fact that decided 10 move from Warren
ton TO this line rather against the opinion ot IN,
President, Secretary, and yourself, aud thai yo,
lave LETT the whole movement in nv hands " IN
out giving me orders, makes me moro re- ,nonsi
bic. fS'''
will visit yon very soon, and give YOU NOR
definite Information, and finally will send va,
my detailed report. in which special acknow
itnement VIII be made OF the services Of the diff
terent Grand Division, Corps, an NV genern
aud personal Staff Departments OF the Amy i
the PUtomac to whom | am so much indebte
frlheir support and hearty corporation.
will add here, that the movement was mad
earlier than you expected, and, after the Presi.
dent, Secretary, aud yourself requested me not
be IN haste, for the reason that we were supplie
much sooner by the different staff department
than was anticipated when last saw you.
Our killed amounted to l,162 our wouude,
about 1900; our prisoners about 900, who hay
been paroed and exchanged for about the sam
number taken by u.s.
The wounded were al removed to this side o
the river before the evacuation, and are beip,
we'll cared for. The dead were all buried unde
n flag of truce.
The surgeons report much larger proportior
than usual of slight wounds-163O only being
treated in the hospitals.
am glad TO represent the army at the present
time in good condition.
Thanking the Government for that entire sup
port and confidence which have all ways received
from them, l remain, General, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
A. E. BURHsIDH,
Major Gen. Com. Army Of the Potomac.