Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-14
Reconstruction in Richmond.
Gen. Garfield Probably Chair
man Of Military Committee.
NEWS FROM CHARLESTON.
The Monitor WeehaWken sunk.
Thirty Of Her Crew Drowned.
HEAVY REBEL LOSS AT
KNOXVILLE.
GENERAL-IN-cHIEF,s MRroRT.
WAsH1NaroE. December II.

WASHINGTON, December II.
The report of the Genersl-in- Chief is q
very lengthy document, and is, mainly, q
grand summary of military operations
since his last annual report.
Referring TO the Department of the Po-
tomae the General says Burnside's pro-
posed change Of base was not approved by
him. Burnside therefore consented to
cross his army by fords on the Upper Rap
pshannoek and then move down to seize
the heights Of Fredericksburg while 8
small force was to be sent north of the
river to enable Haupt to reopen the rail-
road. This plan was sssented 10 but not
approved.
Burnside, instead of crossing the Rap
pahsnnock by the fords, as he was expect
ed to do, marched his whole army down TO
the north bank Of thstriver. Lees army,
in the meantime, moved down to the south
bank of the river, which was, at this time,
fordable few miles above the town, and
Sumner asked permission to cross and oc-
cupy the heights, butit was refused and no
attempt made to effect passage till De-
cember llth, by which time Lees army
had been concentrated.
It is alleged that the defeat which we
suffered soon after resulted from neglect
to forward the pontoon train from Wash
ington, where's the pontoons, at that time,
were at Berlin, in the army of the Poto-
mac. Tho delay, therefore, was unsvoid-
Burnside pronounced it so.
Speaking of affairs in Grants Depar +
ment the General-in Chief says it has been
alleged that General Grant positively dis
obeyed the instructions of his superiors.
Il is hardly necessary TO remark that Gen.
Grant never disobeyed an order. More
over he has never complained that the
Government did not furnish him all the
means and assistance in its power to IA
Cilitate the execution of any plan he saw
fit to adopt.
The General suggests as the rebel army
lives upon the country through which it
passes, the federsls do the same, as it ia
cilitstes rapidity of movement. Our COM
manders in the rebel States hardly ever
find supplies, and in the border States it
is difficult to distinguish between real
friends and enemies.
In regard 10 suffers he says the entire
abolition Of the system would rid the army
Of the encumbrsnce of sutlers' wagons on
the march, and the nuisance of suffers
stalls and booths in camps. It would i'm
prove the discipline and efficiency Of troops
in many Yays, and particularly by remov-
ing from the camps the evils Of drunken
ness. It is not difficult to suffers TO act
the part of spies, informers, smugglers,
and contrsbsnd traders.
The General thinks court-martial too
cumbrous proceeding for the battlefield,
and suggests some more speedy mode Of
punishment.
He suggests the Inspector Generals De-
partment be merged in the Adjutant Gen.
erals Department. He recommends sew
eral reformstions in relation to the organ
ization of regiments, brigades and corps,
He claims the cartel for the exchange Of
prisoners has been violated in relation to
cOlored soldiers.