Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-01-17
A vINDIcATIoN OF GEN HALLEcK.


We find in the New York Times of yesterday
the subjoined communication, made to that journal
by an occasional correspondent" writing from
this city, aud whose avowed object is to defend
Gen HALLEcK from certain reflections made by
many persons on his conduct from misapprehen-
sion or misconception Of his true relations to the
movement which resulted in the transfer of the
Army of the Potomac from Warrenton to Frede-
ricksburg.
This matter has been already Efficiently eluc-
takes upon himself the whole responsibility for
that change, but the letter which we copy below
enters, under this head, into a PARTICULARLY Of
explanation which did not fall within the scope of
that officers frank aud manly report, explicit as
it was and, as this exposition of Gen. Halleck's
views has every appearance of being an authorized
statement Of facts important to proper apprecia-
ton of his conduct in relation to transaction Of
great public and military interest, we deem it due
to the Generain Chief to lay the essential portion
Of the communication before our readers. 1t is as
follows
Gen. McCielans seccessor the army being then st War
renton Gen Haleck accompanied by the Qusrtermsstsr
General visited the army fpT the purpose of ascertainng
its actual condition AMI requirements and comforting with
Gen Burnside "a to lie future movements
Gen. Burnside then announced that it was his inten
ton Instead Of moving south directly upon Richmond,
had been Gen Halrcks plan, in which Gen. Mcclellan
fully agreed to steray upon Falmouth, there
his troops The RappanDoek, and thence UPON
Richmond, making Fredericksburg lin railroad communi-
eaton with Aqua Creek) his base If operotons and sup
plies.
" Against this change Gen. HaIeck Urged many and Sc
ous objection calling attention to the fact that tie higher
up crossed the river the shalowr would be its waters
and the s fords, ALEC to the fact that
the country along this direct line of level cha
acter and presented fewer natural obstacles His chief
argument, however, that then moving on
terror lines between Richmond and the rebel army, Gen
Lees orcrs moving the arc Of circle of which we held
the chord. We were, therefore, msny marches nearer
tho bel capital than the rebel army and with proper
dispatch it would therefore, be Impossible FOR Gen Lee to
overtaka M before cur arrival in Richmond.
ITO these Gen Burnside offered no serious OPP
positonurgng however the advantages Of having water
transportation to Aqua Creek and the mpcrtance of
posing line Of communications short possible to tho
attacks of the enemy He further stated that tie transfer
o base 10 Fredericksburg advised and urged by three
fuurtbs OF his brigade commanders, and by all his division
and corps commanders, without exception.
Gen Haleck hereupcn admitted that IL the movement
agsnst Richmond were to be commenced de moro from
Washington ne would OF course prefer The Frederlcks
burg route the shortest in itself and also aording
transportation nearly half tho way But eitusted
az our army then Ut Warrenun and looking the
Importance OF still covering capital while sdvanc-
ing against the eSemys he could approve the pro-
posed change but remsin entirely in favor of the d
rect ioe OF march, wa Cuipeper Orange Court house.
Hanover Courthouse such other variations OF this gene
raj line the Developments Of the march the movements
Of the enemy might seem to call for.
Nevertheless, in view OF Gen Bumsdes opinion, and
the all but therein OF the br gsde
div sion and corps commanders charged with the mmed
ate responsibility, he Gen Haeck could not take tupon
himself to decide 10 the matter, for the that
he to order the execution Of his PLAN the officers
trusted with its details copl not possibly feel (howeyer
earnest in their obedence that confidence which Of
the fret essentials of military success Finding himself
unable therefore, to order tho movement which seemed
hest and safet TO his owe judgmeLt-vhe radically
dsagePne with the change proposed by the commanding
and subordinate Generals that be coud not take the
sponsbIity Of giving it bis sanctonbe would therefore
chief laying before him both plans mpartay, with fall
atsts OF the arguments either side the Presidents
decision TO bs final.
This promise was faithfully executed and the result
was decision in favor 81 the movement Wis Fredericks-
burg the President not failing to attach due weight TO the
objections urged against it by Gen. Haeck bat dseming
t-and who shall cay improperly IA thing Of paramount
mporaoce that the commanding ard subordinate Generals
Of tie Army Of the Potomac should feel themselves
Gagged in movement WHICH vas of their selection,
and in which they had confidence.
This IN tho whole statement of the c1se. Gen Burn
side Il will be seen acted upon the almost unanimous al
y Of those ia his command best qualified Judge;
can the President be blamed for having hesitsted did
Cen HaIeck, to ovcrfue decision thus deliberately put
fUth
rbe attack on Lees position in the Of Frederick
burg was one despite all the cayis Of nonmitary critics,
which had nine chances in favor of t against the
fatal tenth which made IL disaster."