Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-12-26

HEADoCARrKRs ARAT OF THE PoToAAc.
FALMOUTH, December Is, 1862 }

Gen. EurRsloe 6eBoEG
HEApoCaRrKRs AKMY OF THE PoTo1Ac.
falmouth, December I9,Ie62.
H.W. HaflecE, Csmmaadgr-in-ekicf Washing
ton:
CExERA1--T base the honor 70 offer the fol-
lowing report for moving the Array Of the Po-
IoTnac across the Rappahanhoek sooner than
anticipated By the President, Secretary Of War
OF yourself and for crossing al paint different
from the one Indicated 10 you AT the last meet
ing at the Presidenrs.
During my preparation for crossing at the
place | had first selected, discovered that the
enemy had thrown large portion of his
force dnwn The river and elsewhere, thas weak
ening his delences in from; and, also, diseev-
cred llet be had not autic 3ated the crossing
of our forces at Fredericksburg, and | hoped,
by rapidly throwing tie whole command
over al chat place, 70 separate by a vigorous
attack the fprees Of the enemy on the river be-
low from the forces behind and on the crest in
The rear Of the town. in which case We could
fsh; him with great advantages in cur ia
yor
10 d. fhis we had to gain height on the ex-
trcme right of fhe crest, which height conman-
ded the road lately made by the enemy for the
purpose Of more rapid communication along
his lines, which point gained, his position
long the right crest would have b'en scarcely
tellable. and be could have been driven from
them easily by an attack on his froHt. in con-
aectioH with lsloveaent ON the rear Of ihe
crest.
How near we eamo 10 accomplishing our
oIirct, future reports will show; but for the
fault and unexpected and unavoidable delay
10 building fhe bridges, which gave the enemy
! twcnty-Four hours more 90 concentrate his
/ forces in his strong positions. We would almost
certainly sueeeesicIi. In which case Che bat
\ tic weuld have been, 10 my opinion, far more
decisive than il We bad crossed At The plBccs
first selected; as it was, we rsms very hsaF sac
| cess. Failing to accomplish the main object,
We remained in order Of battle two days, long
/ enough 20 decide that she enomy would not
come out OF bis stronghold 20 hght as with his
nsantrT, afler which We crossed to This side OF
the river nnnaolesfod, without tho loss Sf men
or property.
As Tie day bruke, our long line Of troops
wer3 seen marching TO their different positions
/ as if geng on parade. Not the least denor-
alization or dis rEanizat;o1 was excited.
I Ts tbe brave sfhccrs and Soldiers who ac-
coIupiished the feat Of recrossing the river in
Che face Of the enemy. owe every thing; for
the failure ia the attack / am responsible: as
the extreme galtantry, courage, and endurance
shown BY them was never exceeded, and would
have carried the points had il been possible.
To the families ard friends Of tie dead can
only offer my heart hit sympathy, but for the
wounded eau eiirr my earnest prayers for
their comlor:a and Ena recovery.
The fact That l decided 20 move from War
renton on to This line, rather against the opin-
ion Of tie Pfesilen', Secretary Of War and
yourself, and that you left the whole move
lneni in my hands, without giving me orders
makes me responsible. / win vsite You very
soon and give you more definite information
and finally will send you my detailed report
Z which a special acknowledgment W Il be
made of lhe services of .be different grand di-
visions, division corps, aHd my general and staf
departments Of the Army nf Che Potomac. &c
whom aal so much Indebted for suppori and
hearty cooperation.
will add here that :ho movement was made
earlier Than you expected and afer ihe Pres
idcnt, tine Secretary Of War and yourself re
qucstod me not to be in haste, for the reason
tlat VIC were supplied much sooner by th'
different staff departments than We Anticipated
when l saw Jon.
Our killed amouhts TO lisp, our WOUNDED
to about g.c0n, and our prisoners 20 nbcu
700, which last have been parolcd and cx
changed Tor about the same number takon by
US.
The wounded we're all removed 10 this sidt
Of tie river ard arc beitg well cared for
and the dead we're all buried under flag o
truce.
The surgeons report much larger proper
ton ofslght wounds than usual, I,632 onl.
being treated ia hospitals,
am glad to represent the army at th
present time in so good condition.
Thanking the Government fur the entire sup
port and confidence which l have receive,
from them,
l remain, General,
Very respectfully,
Your Obedicnt servant,
A. f. BURNSIDE,
!, Major General Commanding.