The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-12-26
Gen Burnside's Report.
HEADeuARrERs ARMr OF PoToMAc,
FALNouru. Va, Dec, 10.

HEADQUARTERS ARMT OF PoToNAo, {
falmouth, Va, Dec, -.
To II. w. Halleck, General in Chief
Washingto General: Il have the honor
to offer the following reasons for moving
The Army OF the Potomac across the Rap
pahannock, sooner than was anticipated
by the President, Secretary OF War, or
yourself, and for crossing al a point dlf.
leriny from the ore Indicated by you at
our last meeting at the Presidents'.-
During my preparation for crossing at
the place | had first selected, discovered
that the enemy had thrown large portion
Of his force down the river and elsewhere,
thus weakening his defences 10 front. and
also discovered that he did not antici.
pate the crossing OF our whole force at
Fredericksburg, and | hoped by rapidly
throwing the whole command over at that
place TO separate by a vigorous attack the
torccs oi the enemy on The river below
from The forces behind, and on the crest
In the rear OF the town, in which case We
could fight him with great advantage in
our favor.
To do this we had to gaia height on
the extreme right Of The crest, which
height covered the new road lately made
by the enemy for the purposes OF more
rspid communication along his lines, which
point gained, his position along the right
crest would have been scarcely tendble,
and he could have been driven from them
easily by an attack on his front. In con
necliun with movement on ;he rear OF
81, hot
pIishiGg an object, fure reports will show.
but tor the lauI! and unexpected and un.
avodabe delay in building the bridges,
which gave the enemy "a hours more 10
concentrate his forces in his strong posi-
tons, we would almost certainly have
succeeded, in which case the battle would
have been, 10 my opinion, far more deci'
sive than it we had crossed at the places
first selected but as it was, we calde
very ncSr success.
Failing in accomplishing the main Oh.
! iect, we remained il order ot battle two
day---loDg enough to decide that the en-.
envy would not come out Of his strong.
holds to fght US with his infantry, after
which We crossed TO this side of the river
uumulesled, without the loss OF men OF
property. As the day broke our long lines
OF troops were seen marching to their diff
lorent positions, rs il going on parade, not
! ,he least decentralization or disorganiL4uon
existed.
To the brave officers and soldiers who
accomplished the feat Of re crossing the
river in The face of ths enemy | owe ev-
erythng. For the failure Of The attack
am responsible, as the extreme gaihntry,
courage and endurance shown by them
was never exceeded and would have car
ried the points had it been possible. To
the families and friends ol be de td, can
enly offer my heartfelt sympslhes; bu
for the wounded | can offer my earnest
prayers for their comfortable and tinsl re
covery.
! The fact that l decided to move from
Warrenton into this line rather againS
the opinions OF the President, Secreery o
War and Yourself. and tina! you lett tn,
movement in my hands without giving
me orders, makes me responsible.
| will visit you very soon and give yot
, more definite Information. and finally will
send you my detailed reports in which a
special Acknowledge will be made o
the services Of the different grand divisions
, division corps, and my general and stat
/ departments OF the Army of the Potomac
10 whom | am so much indebted for theil
3 support and hearty cooperation. ] vii
add here that the movement was made
earlier than you expected, and after tn,
President, Secretary and yourself re
y queBted me not to be in has;e, from tn,
reason that we were supplied much soone
9 by the different staff departments thai
was anticipated when SAW you.
c Our killed amounts 10 l,l52, ou
|, wounded TO abou. 5000, and our prison
. ers 20 about 700, which last have bee
paroled and exchanged Tor about the sam
y number taken by US. The wounded wer
"a all removed 10 this side Of the river an
3. are being well cared for, and the des
10 were all buried under flag of truce.
10 The surgeons report much larger pre-
n portion of slight wounds than usual, l,6j
81 only being treated in hospital.
At am glad to represent the army at II
.. ., present time in good condition. Thsnl
10 ing the Government for that entire suppo
ne and confidence which | have always r
I'd ceiyed from Them. remain General,
Very respectfully, your ob't tserv't.
I'd A. E. BURNSIDE, Maj. Gen. Com dg.