The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1863-02-07

4 - ~ '" 40 " olcah luclf line there
where 1T was weakest, turn them. an,
then-with the cooperation of Sumne
attacking In front-to complete the victor,
and convert IT into rout. Gen FRANKLIN
led the main attack with his own Crane
division anditwo small corps from Hooker s
Ills orders orders were to attack with a
seast one corps vigorously, and then to fol
low up the attack with prompt and heav,
| supports. He sent Gen. Meade to the at
| tack, commanding the smallest corps of all
den Meade attacked with great yiror
oroke tie rebel Hne, aad actually pushed hi
navanae INTO tic nsidstof tie dmnsuritton pqgoa.
ana 6agose tram ia Heir rear He had com
pietely succeeded in the appointed work
the forces opposed to him were utterly
routed, and all ne needed was prompt and
effective support THIS he did not receive
zen Franklin sent another small corps to
his aid, but it arrived too late The enemy
seeing Meade como to a stand, had rallied
requirements were pushed forward, and
before Meades supports came up his force
vas driven back and it became impossible
to re-establish tho line Gen franklin
gave rs reason for net sending forward
heavier and prompter supports, that he
was afraid the enemy would seize nis Jridge,
and cat Of has means Of retreat Gen. Sumner
meantime, had opened the fight to retain
rs much OF the rebel forces Ia front as pcs
sible, for the reliefof Franklin: and as he
never does anything but with tie utmost
lmpetuosity, he had pushed the movement
I'll 1t mad assumed the proportirns of a
terrible engagement This shows "how
near the battle came 10 being a success.
). The affair at fredericksburg. and
The investigations that followed il. were no
sooner over, than Gen. Burnside prepared
Tor another aggressive movement 1t en-
braced an attack III front, at point select
cd with care, and a formidable raid Of
cavalry aad light artillery, which was to
threaten the enemy : communication, and
overt his attention from the main attack
IL was bold pan, but, If vigorously exc
cuted, was reasonably certain of success.
Every preparation had meen made for Il
A picked force OF cavalfy aud artillery Was
got ready, under the command OF that
dashlng and most competent officer. Gen
Aye'til. and the execution of the movement
was fixed for the 3lst Of December The
destined TO maj" the raid was
in motion, when a teirCrani from
President Lincoln announced TO Gen
Burnside that he must make no movement
without first consulting him. The General
.. once arrested the march OF his troops.
and repaired 10 WashiL gton The Presi-
dealt informed him that the ress11 OF his
Was that soIAe Of Gep. Burnside
officers has protested YeEe-
Tae5ily agaIHst the movement. Thus
failed the .hird attempt. through the IN
reference and insordInaiiJ1 Of officers Of
the army
T. The fourth and latest OF these at
,empts was the one of last wednesday.
Sen. Burnside had prepared il with care.
II g had examined personally and repeated
" the ground on which Il was 70 be exc
cuted. Ee had fixed the position which
each division was to occupy on crossing
the river He had ascertained by spies
the movements Of the enemy, WHOM he
had completely deceived bv feiSt. as .
Inc point of crossing 2. and counted with the
utmost confidence on taking him by sur
prise. How this movement came to fail
have already endeavored to show
Geaera, Burns;,l, has thus attempted
'oin attacks uyon the rebel arrnv in his
ront since he assumed command or the
Army OF the Potomac. Ia each instance
ae has been embarrassed and thwarted by I
hose who "sse boand by every sentiment
e r1iiitarp honor and Of patriotic auty to
I'VE him their rordia. and effective sup
1ort The inference IS worry cle-r. {Es
iiov'2 ciNr hare tis pg-rsr q eisAiest Iess
,'Srer,, 9'd PIT ii heir pI,rss otisys .rio riI
-scoaf lis 5id,ts or te stouH d -eHsyei from
,sr.mari There ought to ne no halfway
work about it. He sill be very likely
again 10 tender his resignation. HIS per-
'onai wishes will not keep hlm an hour in
position which he Is not pr mnit;ed to
ell He ought not, in nay judgment, Z
either to resiga or to ask 10 be relieved
He should at once use the power which
ais position gives him, and remove every
ofiicer, b oh or low, who has E-iled in il
nutv, or attemn, ed TO thwart hils in the
execution of his plans. If the President
should refuse 10 sustain him in SO doing
.hen he would have valid reason for
from commane. lie night
hesitate Ia authorize il in advance, but he
,ugbt not 10 be asked TO DO so General
Burnside has perfect right TO issue such
N order; and the country would applaud
The vigor and readiness TO meet responsible
ity which it wonld imply. Such an act.
would infuse heart and conf
ierce into the army