Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-02-02
rRoN ran RArrAMANs0CK,
HISTORY AND CAUSES OF THE RECENT ''MILIF
( TARY FIAsCO"-THE "GRAND ARMY OF TIN
POTOMAC MIRED AND DISPiRlTED.

POTOMAC" AlkED AND DlbflhAAhD'
The stecial correspondent Of the New York Woflt'
under date of January Esd "near Banks Ford, gives
following account of General Burnsdes plans for mcF
ing. and the manner in which the movement was stop
ped: '--l-.--..,...
The march of the army to this place has been gloomy
enough The seyerest storm Of the sason has continued
since early Tuesday evening until to-day Tbs alter
noon there are signs of shuDshine again. vi cour$
the inclenent weather rendered army operations upop
any very extensive scale wholly impracticable. The
exeeutOn Of the orders for advance would have been
ooorly enough In the finest weather. for As told you be-
fore the army has lost its presge the soldier 40 longer
thinks il an honor to belong the Army Of the Potomac
As illustration of the feeling prevalent among ne
officers win say that when Gen. Burnsides order.
which YOU have no doubt already published was read,
the inquiry was made by officer, "WhAt do you think
Of itip r'.--.-'--. -..---.....--.
general it don't seem to have the ring" was the ~
Sponse.
Not that he meant any want Of confidence in Ges
Burnside; but the bell Of the Army Of the Potomac
sadly fractured and its tones have no longer the clear
inspiring ring of victory But do not need to refer %
the condition Of the army at greater length Ever
phase you can get viii reveal the same truth, which
welt understood here and at Washington.
All day on Wednesday the men dragged their feet
from one mud foostep to fathom another still NOR
uncertain and picked their way along the skirts 81
woods and fields and the edge of the road 70 Keeps
sound footing possible. The cold rain pouredin
torrents.
The mules and horses already worn 70 hide aud boes
with cold and starvation doundered and trembed IN the
uncertain ruts and deceptive mud pools Transfers and
riders cursed and ashed their beasts but 20 no avail At
O'Clock pontoons and guns and caissons, ammunition
wagons and ambulaloes promiscuously mixed and
nterspersed in one long line, where the mire was mo-
mentarily growing deeper and the darkness OF night
approaching. Each general and commanding oncer
whose business il eXertng themselves TO their
utmost to get the teams along Some generals covered
with mire personally directed the drivers and squads
of men who manned long drag ropes and assisted the
horses in moving the heavy loads.
At the front the same state Of affairs Observed
If the pontoons bad been up Tuesday; yes, j the
army had moved isn the order tcds first gipen, tsil ne
roads we're drv and hard instead Of waiting week un-
ell the enemy had learned OF the and OF Its destina'
lion and the utmost reasonable expectations Of continued
fair weather had passed. the march would have been
fine and the crossing would have been easy The place
selected had all the advantages that could be asked and
10 the rebels which would have given US
easy success forbear giving you the particulars Of
the location and preparations for crossing as vel IS the
strength of the army guns and such arrangements, a.
thew NAV be secrets which would give the euemy adj
vantage should Gen Burnside return to the attHck nj
this point when the roads are dry and troops rested
IL had been contemplated TO cross at several points,
but the difficulty of moving pontoon trains and guns
compelled the abandonment of al but one place, and
the concentration of and trains NJ that on Nedn1s-
day night In fact suspect the purpose Of crossing
had been abandoned BY Gen Bnrnsde at that tme and
the troops and munitions concentrated for safety
and convenience The troops epcAmped In the splendid
grovths of oaks and the number Of axes plying and
Genera, hum of life and activity impressed one with the
idea Of stepping into an immense Spyard under full
blast The great blazing log fires soon warmed the wet
garments and the men slept soundly.
fba rda Dir 1lata 10
further advance of troops and wagons aud batteries not
vet up The cavalry in part returned TO their old camps
Light artillery was also back and order sent to
Gen Summers grand DIVISION which had not yet moved,
poatpoping indefinitely the orders to be ready.
Sfraegers camped where they 10 wait the return
of their regiments and everything was got into order
and everybody made comfortable and composed for rest
preparatory getting back to camp as soon a. the skies
cleared and tina roads hardened Artillery and cavalry
Wirr in quiet Reconnaissance outside the immediate Vi
cipity Strong picket guards watched the appearance
Of any demonstration movement from the rebels
Already the soil gives evidence of hardening and specu-
lston- rife OF some new order TO advance instead OF
retreating
Mini, have been writing the sun has come out and
the ky is clearing up look at the opposite side OF
the river reveals two rebel camps of smoke instead Of
one as Yesterday but additional earthWorks or other
signs of strengthening their position. The whole coun-
try above and below and on both sides OF the river as
far AS can he SEEM is with bur few exceptions Of small
patches, covered WIN ch HeVoH" bFO"Iu VI pune VI
oak entirely cOncealng all movements on either side,
of the river and il for the camphres no pres
epce of troops would be discerned. The ground is
broken and uneven and while worthless for cultivation
seems even worse for the movements Of the army al
though the position selected for crossing as avora-
BILE a. any below the junction of the Rapidan.
Since Thursday the troops have remained quietly in
camp with the exception Of few regiments returning,
and cavalry and light artillery. One Of the restrictions
put upon reporters Of newspapers is that they shall not
surmse or speculate what the future indications
of army movements TO be, under immediate fear OF
the ffty.seventh article of war might say that with
The clear skies aud drying roads the army not to re-
main idle My own advice would be that IL IS just as
,a,y 10 more jorrard as 10 90 back Gen. Burnside il
reported TO have gone to Washington, and oil course
nothing will be done or known until his return.
NORWAY.