New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-23

tDOIity
By command Of Msj Gen BURNSIDE.
LEWIS RICHx0SD, Asst. Adjut..Gen.
The Grders for IA Movement of the Army
APestponement--Cond ition OF the Army.
Tfou Our Special Correspondent
LEFT GAASD Division. Jan. 20. 1863.
Two days ago, throughout the entire army, there
were the most unmistakable signs of an immediate
Intention TO advance against the enemy. The ad-
vance had in fact commenced and the pontooD train
he'd sirated for it's destination. The preliminary or
ders bad all been issned; the surgeons had been
,hronged by the timorous, suddenly seized with
nsmeess and indescribable diseases while Others
were animated with the excitement Of an impending
battle. Since then the movement has been twice
postponed for "A hours and there is now a suspicion
that II may be still further delsyed-perhaps inlef
lj!ely. Our own opinion is that the excessively
cold weather, which suddenly sst in just as the
movement. was 10 commence, has occssoned the de-
hy. slight wound on such days GO we have Just
seen, would seriously endaUger life, and mercy TO
the army demanded that o battle should not be
offered at such a time. II may be that the enemy,
who have exhibited too much knowledge of what
Wac in progress have shown by counter movements
that our plans would probably have proved unsnc
oessfnl. There is probably no point available for a
crossing, al which the enemy have not constructed
life pite or loophoed bloekbonses. Several officers
who yesterday accommodating the course Of the
river fancied they had discovered quiet spot suit.
able for the bridges, which had escaped the vigi-
lance Of the enemy. Leaving their horses 10 the
woods they dropped down 10 the bottom lands
through which the river courses and scruliuzng the
secluded locality were unable 10 discover any signs
eirife pits or Rebels. Presently, however, several
eTay'backs were seen moving from behind grass
grown embankment, which proved TO have been
converted into defense against the crossing Of the
river. We may look for warm reception from the
shsrpshooters whenever and wherever the opera
tons Of The brdge-bulders commenced.
There has been much given to the public Of late
calculated to diminish the good opinion in which the
Army Of the Potomac has previously been held.
Those who have been recently exaggerating the dis
content and encouragement Of the soldiers, will
seize with avidty upon the fact Of the recent mutny
Of German battery TO confirm their high-colored
reports. Such stories do great injustice to the army
and injury 10 the service. Nothing like what they
have represented in reality exists. IL 10 true that
prolonged period Of inactivity, during which the
men have been unpaid, and unable 10 purchase any
ttipg for themselves send money 10 their families,
has o;cssiOned many murmurings aud complaints;
yet nothing like dsloyalty or characterization can
with Any truth be said 10 peryade the army.
IL 10 very easy for d person who seldom moves q
forlOng from his tent given ten times 20 specu-
iating than 10 observing, TO sit lugubrousy in camp,
snd absorbing the opinions OF some faultinding dir
oOrtened officer, TO infame the country with dis
f9rfl imaOiuinua If ha of cf md
The incompetency Of It's generals. But, on the other
hand, it lie very difficult 10 form correct estimate Of
iho sentiment Of an immense body Of men. There lie
great danger Of hasy concentrations, Of taking the
opinion Of dozen men in single corps and infer
ring therefrom the opinion Of 10000 men. When
We lately returned to the army, having been several
weeks absent, there had apparently arisen change
tn the morale Of the men, whom we had believed
Immediately afterthe battle Of 10 have
been in excellent spirit extended observation
has produced the conviction that the discomfort,
where It does exist is not Of kind TO give serious
cause for apprehension, and that the existence of
this Generalization il by no means general. Per.
hspe vis!t from the Paymaster- Il good
days maTch-would clear the atmosphere from the
slightest signs Of discomfort
There is still another thing which might In some
quarters improve the morale Of the army. Great
damage has undoubtedly been done by certain
newspapers which have excited among the soldiers
4 distrust Of their Generals. The army was in ex-
nberant spirits after the battle of Fredericksburg,
believing that they were Immediately to renew the
sttempt and gain victory. Soon came 10 the srmya
class Of newspapers chasacteriziDg the battle as a
" fruless butchery," and terrible slaughter" and
some beganto believe that they had been mercessly
<ssriGead Til. decentralization mill la fonpd N