The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-04-06

OPERATIONS UNDER GEN. BURNSIDE.

Senator Wade, from the joint committee f the two
houses Of Congress- consisting Of three members Of the
senate and four members Of the House Of Representa-
tves, appointed December ls6 with instructions 70
inquire into the conduct Of the present has present
- report with the testimony taken. opens with the
statement that tho subject Of inquiry referred TO hem
Of the utmost importance and magnitude Upon
the conduct the present war" depended the issue Of
ths experiment inausurated by fathers, after
much expenditure OF blood and treasure-the establish
nsut Of nation founded upon the capacity Of for
ssk government The nation was engaged In contest
~ IL very existence; rebellion unparalleled inp t
tssy threatened tho overthrow Of free institutions
end the most prompt and vigorous measures were de
nandsd By every confederation Of honor patriotism and
due regard for the prosperity and happiness Of the
pis
. ARnY xn rorcnAc
Soon Asr tie battle OF Bull run, in July 1851 General
Mcdowell was superseded, and General Mcclellan
sAs Potomac. The campaign In western Virginia, the
credit which bad been generally ascribed 70 General
Se :. ,yor w'e ~nl ss.n Ss or
he army Of the United States; even bis comparative
yoush holding out the promise Of active and rigorous
these consider atoms tended TO nfusc hope
the public mind, aud TO remove the gloom and des
pondsnoy which had followed the disastrous issue Of The
Every energy tho government and all the resources
generous and patriotic people were freely and avishy
sne Ssposs .enSrs ia . ~ n 20 S enable MN
pete state Of cciency that offensive operations might
b resumed al the earliest practicable moment The Army
q ha Potomac became the object Of special care 10 every
department. Of The govsrnmsnt and oil other military
movements aud organizations were made subordi
Washington, and srgnnizing thcre. army which
should ovcrpower the fOrcss Of the enemy, and
rebels might cherish v.r when the Army u the Pcto.
bad attained Dimensions mover before contemplated
y Is 1 S. SS 1Pos
q ~ rapply Increasing numbers was permitted 70 be d.
vsrtsd, even for Lrcf period 70 the accomplishment OF
sher euterprsss The generals In charge OF the various
expeditions FROM time 10 time insugurated, and from
which 90 much benefit was aoticpassd-Gensra Butler,
sompsllsdto look esswhore the troops compose
their oommands 70 rely upon tho continued patriotism Of
siases Tor ns raing Of those regiments which would en-
able thssn 10 desri for the oeds Of duty assigned 70
mius or impair ire esiency Of The Army Of The Pc,o
Ac, aud The unexampist specacs presented other
naons, who were ntcny watching the course of events
IN this country al The largest army Of the present ccntu
~ being raissd entirely BY voluntary cnstments IN the
brlsf period OF sw mcnths.
nng Of December 1891 successful had been the
tens Of NE authorities, and % assiousy had the people
morning repor.s fpnshsd ysuF scnnnies BY the Adju-
tAnt Go era q The Imy showed that exclusive Of the
Potomac consisted of about Iss 100
During tie time This large army had been collecting
sod ns's % ~. 81 pss s N
the Potomac by the rebels. which your nmttee treat
d more at length In aaober part Of this report aud the
melancholy disaster at Baps Blan which 10 mace the
subject ol seiarate reJort.
The weather during ,hsial season. and for weeks
after the convenirg Of Congress- continued unusually
favorable for active military operations A month after
month passed without yihing being done by the Army
fov the announcement that tie work Of preparation had
been completed aad active opsrators wsud be
msnced.
prom testimony before your committee appeared
thai the Army Of the Potomac was web armed and
eguppsd, ami hsd reached high stats OF discipline by
tka laafr m frnIg Iafs ~.
were ready snd eager commence active operations
The generals IN conmnnd of tho various divisions
them dec ared they hnd no expectation Of dong So
in reference 10 the proper organization OF large
army that about Washington, IN order that might be
better able TO act mast cncctvey In the field, the
Testimony Of the witnesses examined upon that point
remark lbiy unanmous The generals most familiar With
the division Of the army coys dsrue, and that,
100 in time or the q the trooys the move
sGeosive. Your COMMITTEES deemed 70 ~ vtaIly ncces
cary that they repeatedly brought tho subject W the
as.en,.n o. the au,bcri.es ara urged m immediate
President the secretary Of war ooncurred WITH ,hem
IN the necessity Of such Measure but 10 dd not seem
Indsed General Mcclellan stated 10 your committee.
sbe time OF their conference with hun, that although
into army corps the subject Of great difficulty
He SAID was delicate matter TO appoint major generals
20 s e 90 Ss
away pigeon hole, se should prov. inconre,sn,
easily - briead,cs general He proposed tcrcfoe 70
himself manage this cusirs army IN rome battle or cam.
psgn and then select from tho brr1dcr geucrss IN q
command. coussq ueusly The divsisn ,bs army into
hrmyeops was NOT even begun until after the
borsnoe of the direct and repeated orders q ,Ls resi
bent
Organization of the army into corps viii 10 seea
tr0m the Following deslach b. him froB bc secretary of
fs, a.. Nay =, Iser- r,,-.