The New York herald., 1862-12-23
Very Remarkable, Very Curious, Very
: Generous and Very Naive Letter
from General Burnside.
ne Assumes All the Responsibility and
Exonerates Everybody.
Our Loss in Killed and Wounded
Over Ten Thousand.
the LATEST FROM THE RAPPAHANNocK,
&C., &C., 30.
Letter or Major ssensral Burnsidc.

Letter or Major General Burnside.
HKADoJAarERs rm AMY rR PoIoNAc.l
. FALMOUTH, Dec 10. 1867
Major General II. W. HAiBx, Generalin-Chicf United
States Array, Washington
elxsrnALI have the honor 10 offer the following
sns for moving the Army Of the Potomac across the
Rappahannock sooner than anticipated by the Pres
Acnt Secretary of War OF yourself, and for crossing
point different from the indicated % yOu a.
meeting at the Presidont's--
During my preparations for crossing az the place had
nrs selected discovered that the enemy had thrown
large portion Of his force down the river and esewhere
thus weakening his dcences in 'front.' and also thought
discovered that did anticipate the crossing OF
whole force at Fredericksburg: aud hoped, by rapidly
throwing the whole command at hst place 10 sepa
rate by vigorous attack the forces Of the enemy the
river below from the forces behind and the in the
rear OF the town. in which ue could fight him With
great advantage in our favor.
To do this we had to gain hsight The rgh.
II the crest which height connindot road lately
made by the enemy for purposes OF rapid
cation along his lines, which point gained his position
along the crest would have been scarcely tenabe no
could have been driven from them easily by attack
hls front in connection with movement rear OF
the crest.
How came TO accomplishing our object future
reports viii show. But for tho fog and unexpected
unavoidable delay in building the bridges, which gave
the enemy twenty four hours more 10 concentrate his
forces in his strong positions, would almost certainly
have succeeded, in which the battle would have
been, my opnion far more decisive than if we had
crossed the places FIRST selected AS IL was we came
very success.
Failing in accomplishing the main objeat, we remained
In order Of battle two daygong enough decide that
the enemy would not of his s,ronghods light
ss with his fnfantry-afssr which recrossed to this
side OF the river unmolested without the loss OF men
Or property.
As the day broke long lines Of troops were seen
marching to their different positions going parade
Not the least Generalization iisorganzaton existed
To tho brave officers and soldiers who accomplished
the feat Of thus recrossng tho river in the face OF the
enemy owe every thug.
For the failure in the attack responsible as the
extreme gallantry, courage and endurance shown by
them exceeded and would hayo carried the
points had II been possible.
To the families and friends OF the dead can only offer
my heartfelt symuathies; but FOR the wounded / can
or my earnest prayers for their comfortable and finn
recovery.
The fact that decided 20 from warrenton on 20
this line, rather against the opinion of the President
Secretary OF War and yourself, and You left tho
whole movement In my hanas, without giving orders,
makes me responsible.
Information, and, ray, will send you my detailed re
port, in which special acknowledgment will be made
Of the services OF the different grand division corps and
my general and staff departments Of the Army Of the Po
touac TO whom am much indebted their support
and hearty cooperation.
will add here that the movement was made earlier
than you expected President, Secretary and
yourself requested be haste. the reason
that we supplied much by the different staff
departments than was anticipated when ias, you
Our killed amounts TO eleven hundred ard 8nytvo
wounded TO about nine thousand and prisoners
20 about hundred which hast have been pareled
and exchanged the same number takeu by us
The wounded all removed to this side Of the river
and being well cared for and the dead all buried
sndsr flag Of truce.
The surgeons report much larger proportion Of slight
wounds than usual 63a only being treated hospitals
am glad TO represent the army at the present time in
good condition
Thanking the government FOR that entire suppes and
confidence which I have always received from them
remain General very respectfully, your obedient servant
A. u. BURNsIDE,
Major General Commanding the Army Of the Potomac
The PRECEDENT Releases 90 Accept General
Durzside's Resignation.
WASHINGTON. Dec %, lsee
n having been stated that General Burnside had ten.
dsred the resignation OF his command VIC think pro.
per 70 mention what understand 70 be the facha,
tho President has accepted the resignation and
believed, does not intend 70 do 80.
Departure OF Gen. Burnside from w ash
tom.
WASHINGTON, Dec. %, 1862
Cen Burnside left to-day the headquarters
Of the Army Of the Potomac opposite Fredericksburg
49, NJ -
FLiNorr,i, Dcc. 81, 1852.
This day has been clear cold specimen Of Vagina
December, and good specimen " the sabbath in tho
army. aside from the usua Sunday morning inspections
no duty has been required OF the Divine service
was attended in few OF tho regiments but the weather
wac too cold 20 secure large audiences,
Falmouth boasts of one church, which has been sus
tsIned the rotary PRINCIPLE each denomination be n
entitled 10 conduct the services turn Today the Rsv
Mr Barnett OF the Chritian Sanitary Commission hold
forth the auspices OF the military denominations.
But little notice given and but few of tho cursns
were aware Of time TO atiead This e the rs, ;mo
ths church has opened for religious service since
the advent Of troops, having been during the
time as barracks for the soldiers
Lieutenant Broom ABIDE Camp D. General Zock wen,
the river again to-day to receive reply note
asking permission for the brothers ~ Captain Iaogbin
Of the One Hundred aud Thir;ieth Pennsylvania ycla.
teers TO dsin;cr their brothers body the rery had
not been received the river At fnsk and Leucnant
Broom re,srncd without IL. The Gag received by
Captain Hamilton Of Philips Georgia Legion who treated
che bearer with great rcspss spo,ogsing s nviiing
him 70 dinner. .s.t... .s.-t.tt.
what the Com m iffec on fhs Gond,,cx sS
the War says Abous she AHair.
#s.-4.....# ..s.s. Nl.DuvGrrS, Der. II. fsG2
The Coniitse the Conduct OF the war returned This
morning the army where they have been for four
days investigating 'le 4 te iisaster.
The testimony tcforo them masas the rnter or XII 81
and wounded less slan ten ihousand ope-hf ol the IA,
viii bo ab'e " return 10 their regine.ss siors
sme
General Ruyusids does not 0ks ssch bad view " he
affair others, and contends thai had Franklin
DIVISION maintained thor position when gained thc ct
hc could csrrIed their whole line the eay
destroyed tucir army.
lie takes upon himself the responsibility OF the a9sat.
Might were not favor Of continuing the attack saa he
could only withdraw 10 tl~s SIDE