Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1863-12-12
'On0tPuCti0n q the Cor
Rderate Congress.
WAsHroror. Dec. 10.

WAsHIorox, Dec. 10.
The report Of the General in Chief is
lengthy document, mainly q grand
summary OF military operations since his
last annual report.
Referring TO the army Of the Poto-
mac. the General says, Burosids's idea
70 cnange his base was not approved by
him, Burnside therefore consented TO
csoss his army by the fords Of the upper
kappahannock, and then move down to
tho seige Of the heights of Fredericks :
burg, While . ANAL force was to be sen
north OF the river TO enable him 10 re-
open the railroad. Tbs plan vas con-
sented to bat not approved BY Burnside,
wno' Instead Of crossing the Rappahan-
MOCK oy the fo.ds, ~ be was expected to
90, marched his army down to The north
bank OF that river. Lees army in the
meantime went down The south bank r
the river, at this time fordable few
miles above town. Sumner asked per-
mission 10 cross and occupy the heights
Out It was refused, and no attempt was
made to effect a passage till Dec. llth,
by which time Lees army had been con-
cen,rated. The alleged defeat which
wc suffered soon after resulted from neg
lee ing to for~srd pon,oon train rom
Warrington, where's the pontoons at
the time were at Berlin with the army
OF the Potomac, therefore the delay was
unavoidable, and on invesig.t Of the
natter Burnside pronounced it so.
Speaking of aff.lr in Grants depart
ment the General in Chief says il has
been alleged that Grant riiivelv dis
obcyec the instructions Of his suptrio,s.
Il is hardly Necessary to remark that
Grant never di obeyed an order, more
over, be has never complained that the
government did not furnish him all the
. means aud assistance in its power to ia
ciI.tatc the execution Of any plans be
saw fit to adopt. The General suggests,
that as the rebel army lives up, N the
country through which i. passes the led
erals could do the anne, as it facilitates
rap'dity OF movement In regard to
suffers he says that their abol-hment
would lid the army Of the incumbran ce
Of suffers wagons on the march, and The
nuisance Of sutIer's stalls aud booths in
the camp. 1t would irr prove the disci-
pline and efficiency Of the troops in
MANY ways, aud particularly by remov-
ing from the camps the prol fc evils CT
drunkenness; and it is not difficult to
sutle's to act the part OF spies and in
formers OF smuggers and contraband
Especial to Times.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. IL.
The Army of the Potmac will be i'm.
mediately Ieorganized aud made larger
and better in every way than it has be n
at any former period. Its chief com.
mand will probably be rendered to eth
or Hooker or Thomas. 1t is believed
that Thomas prefers remaining where he
10. Hooker's reputation since the bat
tie Of Lookout Mountain stands higher
than ever, he Is considered here by
some, rs next commander of the Army
Of the Potomac.
The present corps commanders with
one exception will be rel eyed.
Private advices received here to-day
from Richmond says:
The present session Of the Confeder.
ate Congress will be stormy one. The
question Of re construction will be fear.
lessly presented to the Southern people
BY conservative members from North
Carolina a. d many members, cleo cd on
the last ditch platform are said TO be
surely in favor OF the policy advocated
by the North Carolina conservatives
omit the resolutions that will sooL be
introduced in taking strong grounds in
favor Of a Reconstruction.
Accounts received TO night say all re-
p,rts to the effect that Meade has been
Superseded were unfounded up to late
hour last night.
Day before yesterday Meade forward
cd his report of the recent movement
south of the Rapidan to the War De-
partment. 1t is confidently believed it
will be satisfactory to the Cabinet. II S
late re,rog, ade movement is endol sed by
almost every officer Of the army.
CINcINNATI, 12Dec.