The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-02

my Advice OF that KIND from Sumner,
who has always been in favor of our ad-
vance, whenever it was possible, caused me
to hesitate. kept the column of attack
| forward, and sent over for the division and
corps commanders, and consulted with
them. They unanimously voted against
the attack. | then went over to see the
other officers of the commands on the
other side, and found that the same opin-
ion prevailed among them. Then sent
for General Franklin, who was on the
left, and he was of the same opinion.
This caused me to decide that ought not
to make the attack l had contemp plated,
and besides, the President had told me not
to be in haste in making this attack that
he would give me all the support he could,
but he did not want the Army of the
Potomac destroyed. I felt that | could
not take the responsibility of order
ing the attack, Notwithstanding my own
belief at the time that the works of the
enemy could be carried. While on his way
here, Hooker, on the morning of the Goth
! November, wrote me a note, which was
received on the 21st, in which he suggest
ed that he should cross his force over the
Rappahannock, at the ford nearest the
town, Richards Ford, and move rapidly
down to SaxtOn's Station, and take position
there He stated that he had three days
provisions, and that he could meet any
force Of the enemy in front of him. | re-
piled that was always very glad to take
the advice ofmy general officers, and should
be 10th to make move without consulting
them, but could not approve of the move
| hn boI ctnl Al. a.
place, he would have to march some thirty
six miles to Saxton Station 1t was raining
and he would have to ford two rivers,
which might rise and cut him off from the
main body of the command, and as | had
no means OF crossing at Fredericksburg, |
would be prevented from sending him sup
plies and assistance, and although he might
reach Saxton Station, and not meet any
force OF the enemy at that time, yet it
would be a very hazardous movement to
| throw a column like that beyond the reach
| OF its proper support. Hooker thanked
me, and said he only made it as q sugges-
| ton, and the weather, as it was raining,
rendered it, Of course, impossible to make
the movement he suggested
Ques.-ln answer to question what rea-
son do YOU assign for the failure of your
attack.
Ans.-lt was found impossible to get
| the men up to the works The enenlys
fire was too hot. The whole command
fought gallantly. The enemy themselves
say they never saw our men fight so hard
as on that day.
Ques.-Were the enemy's works very
strong.
Ans. - Their works were not strong
works, but they held strong positions. It
is possible the points of fattack were wrong
ly ordered. If such is the case, [ can only
say did to the best of my ability. 1t is
also possible that we would have done bet
ter TO have crossed ut Skinner's Neck, but
for what supposed to be good reasons |
felt We had better cross here, that we
would have moro decisive engagement
| here, ana that il We succeeded in defeat
ing them, we would break up the whole of
| the army here, which think now is the
most desirable thing, not even second to
the taking of Richmond. For, if this army
was broken up, though they might defend
Richmond for Il while, they could not make
any prOtracted defense there.
Ques. by Mr.. Gooch.-Do I understand
you to say that it was your understanding
that Gems Halleck and Megs, while at
your headquarters, in Warrenton, and be-
fore yOu commenced the movement OF your
army, sent orders to Washington for the
pontoons to be Immediately forwarded to
Falmouth?
Ans.-'Ihat was my understanding, GER
tainly.
QueS.-ln your Judgment, could the pom
toons be forwarded in time for you to cross
the Rappahannock when you expected. if
all possible efforts had been made by those
charged with that duty?
Ans.-Yes; if they had received their
orders in time.
Ques Die. the non-arriyal of these pom
toons at the time You expected, prevent
your crossing when you expected to cross,
and interfere with the success Of your
plans ?
Ans.-Yes.
Ques.-Since you have assumed COM
mand of the army Of the Potomac have all
its movements been made by you, accord
ing to your own Judgment, or have some
of them been directed by the General-in-
Chief, the Secretary of War, cr the Presi-
dent of the United States? :.'
/ Ans.-They have all been made in ac-
coodance with my ownjudgment.. In some
cases have submitted my views which
have been approved. ~. 81
! Ques.-Who did you understand was re-
sponsible for the forwarding Of the pom
toons to Falmouth? q,
/ Ans.-I understand that Gen. Halleck
4 was to give the necessary orders, and then
the officers who should receive the orders
i were only responsible for the pontoons
coming here. j could have carried out
i that part of my plan through officers Of