The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-12-23
The Passage Of the Rappahalaocl.
Explanation by Gene al Burnside.

HEADQUARTERS Army Of THE PoToNAc, J
Falmouth, Dec. 10, 1862.
To Mojor Genera, Hdicck GenvaE,n- { ley
u. Army Washington:
General have the honor to offer the
following reasons Tor moving the army of the P0
tomac across the Rappanaunock sooner, than
was anticipated by the President, Secretary Of
War and yourself, and Tor crossing 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 first selected discovered that the
enemy had thrown u large portion of his force
down The river and elsewhere, thus weaksnln.
his detencs 10 font. also thought discover.
ed that he did hot anticipate the crossing OF
our whole force at Fledericksburgh, and | hop
ed by rapid throwing tie whole command
over ut that place 10 separate, by vigorous at
tack, the force % the el envy on the river below
from the forces behind ana on the crest in the
rear oil the town, 10 which case we could tight
him with great advantage IN our favor.
TO do tnls we had to gain hight on the ex-
treme right OF the crest, which hight commun1-
ed d new road lately made by The enemy for the
pun pose OF more rapid communications along
his lines. TINS point gained, his POSITIONS alien :
the crest would nave been scarcely tenable, and
he could have been driven tom them easily by
an attack on bis ront 10 Connection with d
movement in the rear OF the crest.
How near we came to accomplishing our OBJ
Jet future reports VIII show But for fog and
unexp. cted and unavoidable delay in building the
bridges, which gave the enemy twenty four
hours more to concentrate iils forces in strong
positions. va would almost certainly have sue
ceeded. IN which case the battle would have
been, III my opluioD, tar more decisive than II
We had crossed at the PLACES first scleced. AS
1t was We came very near success
Fai ing IN accomplishing the main object, we
remained 10 order of battle two days, long
enough to decide that the enemy would not
come out of his stron. holds to tight us with his
infantry, alter which We recrossed to this side
Of the river unmolessed, and without the loss
of men or properly.
AS the day broke, our long lines of troops
were seen marching to their 0,Eerent positions
as If going on parade. Not the least democrat
ization OF disorganl2AtoH cxis ed.
10 the brave officers ana soldiers who accom-
plshed the feat OF thus re-crossns the river in
the face Of the enemy, ow, everything. For
the failure in attack | am responsible. as the
extreme gallantry, courage and endurance showo
by them was never exceeded and would have
carried the points had It been possible.
To the families and friends OF tie dead can
only offer my heartfelt synpathies, but for the
wounded | can Offer my e4raest prayers for
their comfort and final recovery
The tact that decided 70 move from Warren
ton on To this line rather against the opinion
If the President, Secretary OF War and your
self, and that you left the whole movement in
NY hands without giving me orders, makes me
responsible.
viii visit you very soon and give You more
Iednlto information, and finally | will send you
my detailed report, in which a special acknow,
Judgement " iii be made Of the services Of the
iifoIcut gan divisions, corps and my general
and staff departments of the army of the Po,o
mac, to whom am SO much indebted for their
support and hearty cooperation.