Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-02-03
The Cause Of Gen. Burnside Failure at
Fredericksburg.

lu5 cause OI Jen buTnslue rallue al
Fredericksburg.
Henry j. Raymond, Editor Of the New York
inns, has written letter to his paper giving
what appears to be an authoritative statement
Of the causes which have been working against
Gen. Burnside from the moment be took com
mand Of the Army of the Potomac, and which
finally compelled him to resign his position.
The letter was written before the recent change
in commanders and throws much light upon
the reasons for that change, which he genera ly
states as follows
Gen. Burnside has thus attempted four at
tacks upon the rebel army in his front since he
assumed command OF the army OF the Potomac
Ia each instance he has been embarrassed and
thwared By those who were bound by every
sentiment Of military honor and patriotic duty
70 give him their cordial aud effective support,
The inference is very clear. lie should either
nave the POKER to dismiss these officers, aud put
IN their places others who will second his plans,
or he hould be relieved from command. There
ought TO be 10 hall way work about it.
10 regard to the battle Of Fredericksburg, and
the blame for the failure then, the letter makes
the following statement;
Next came the crossing and the battle at
fredericksburg rgh-whlch was certainly failure
and which the country generally brands as
blunder. think it was in Gen BurHSdc'S
power TO have corrected that opinion IN his tes.
tlmony before the Congressional Committee
lie dld not avail himself Of that opportunity
but SAID that the country would never know
how near The movement came to being sue
cess, see no reason why the country should
not know it-and | cannl. help believing that
when the official reports Of that battle are per
mltted to see the light, the grounds Of General
Burasdes opinion will be evident to all 1t is
generally .ssdmed that the main attack on that
occasion was against the rebel front, posted and
enIenched on the crest IN the rear Vi
Fredericksburgh. This is a mistake which was
corrected by the General n his testimony The
man attack tcGs designed 10 be upon he re6ei
rigH, and the object Olit was to break their
llne there, where 1t was weakest turn them,
and then-wlth the cooperation Of Sumncr at
lacking IN tront-to complete the victory and
eenyert 1t into rOut. Gen. FRANKLIN led the
main attack with his own Grand Division and
two small corps from Hookr's lis orders
were to attack with at least one carps yigor-
ousIy, and then to follow up the attack with
prompt and heavy supEo Is, lie sent Gen. Meade
to the attack, Commanding ;he smallest corps
OF all, Gen Meade attacked with great yigOr
broke The rebel tias, and aciualy pushed his nd
rance INTO he mid8 OF ammunition loaqoAS and
baggage tram m tteu rear. lie had eomnlelely
succeeded in tue appointed work; the forces
opposed 10 him were utterly routed. and all hc
needed was prompt and effective support
ihiS he dd moi receire. Gen. Franklin sent
another small corps to his aid, but they arrived
too late. The enemy, seeing Mcdde come to a
stand, had rallied relnlorcements were push
cd iorw I'd, and before MddeS supports came
up his loroe was driven back and it became i'm
possible to reestablsh the line. Gen. Frank
da gave u rea on Tor not sending forward heAyi
ei and prompter supports, that he was afraid
the enemy would seize his bridges and cut oil
his means OF retreat. Gen. Sunner, meantime
had opened the tight TO retain as much of the
rebel force in front as possible, for the relief OF
Franklin and as he neger does anything but
with the utmost impetuoslty, he had pushed
ol terrible engagement. This shows " how
near the battle came to being "a success.
Mr. Raymond also distinctly charges the fail
ure OF the last attempt of Burnside to attack
the rebels to the practical insubordination of
some Of his officers. A movement ordered by
Burnside, and actually commenced not long af.
ter the battle OF Fredericksburg, also allied by
being practically cOuntermnnded by President
Lincoln, after the troops were actually in mo
lion the reason given by the President for so
doing being the representation of some of Burn
sides inferior officers respecting its practicable
ity. Gen. Burnside having found il impossible
to succeed against these adverse influences, at
last psIemptonly resigned.