New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-03-07

have the honor 10 be- very respectfully your obedi-
eut servant. A. T.. BURNSIDE Late Major General.
HDQRs. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Dec II. le62.
Ndjor.GsH. II. W. HALLEcK GsHua!-'H-C.'g Wasting
ton. u. c.;
have the honor to offer the following reasons for
moving the army OF the Potomac across the Rdppaban
mock sooner than was anticipated by the President
Secretary yourself and for crossing at point DIFF
feren from the indicated TO you al our last meet
Ing al the Presidents
During my preparations Tor crossing at the place ]
had ut inst selected discovered that the enemy had
thrown large portion OF his force down the river and
here thus his defeIses In front: and
also thought discovered that lie did anticipate the
crossing OF our whole force az fredericksburg And
hoped by rapidly throwing the whole command over
at that place to separate, By vigorous attack the
forces OF the the river below from the forces
behind and the eress in the rear OF the town. IN
which case we should fight him with great advantage
10 favor.
To do this we had TO gain a hight on the extreme
right Of the crest. which hight commanded road.
lately built by the enemy for purposes OF more rapid
communication along his lines which point gained his
positions along the crest would have been scarcely
tenab.e and he would have been driven from them
easily By an attack on his 'front.' in connection with
movement in rear Of the crest
How near We came 20 accomplishing object further
reports will show But for the fog and unexpected aud
unavoidable delay in building the bridges, which gave
the enemy four hours to concentrate his forces n
his strong positions, would almost certainly have
succeeded; in which case the battle would have been
in ny opinion. far decisive than II We had crossed
at the places first selected As IT was. We very
lect We remained In order Of battle two days, long
enough TO decide that the enemy would not out Of
his stronghold and fight us with bis infantry; after
which recrossed 10 this side Of the river unmoested
and without the loss If men or property.
As the day broke our long liue OF troops was seen
marching 10 their different positions II going on pa
radenot the least decentralization or disorganzation
existed
TO the brave officers and soldiers who accomplished
the feat of this recrOssing In the face Of the enemy,
owe everything.
For the failure in the attack am responsible rs the
extreme galantry. courage and endurance shown by
them was never exceeded and would have carried the
point " possible
10 the families and friends Of the dead can only
offer my heartfelt sympathy; but for the wounded
offer my prayers for their comfort and final recovery
The fact that decided 10 move from Warrenton on
10 this line rather against the opinion Of the President
Secretary and yourself and that you have left the whole
management in my hands without giving orders.
makes me the more responsible.
| will visit You very and give YOU definite
information. and finally will send you ny detailed re.
port in which II special acknowledgment will be made
% the services of the different Grand Divisions Corps
and nv general and personal Staff Departments of the
A rmy Of the Potomac To whom am 30 much indebted
for their hearty support and cooperation.
will add here that the movement made earlier
than YOU expected aud after the President Secretary
and yourself requested not 10 be IN haste for the
reason that supplied much by the differ
ent Staff Departments than was anticipated when
last saw you.
Our killed amounted to ll5o. Our wounded about
COO Our prisoners about ZOO which have been paroed
and ged for about the number taken by
The wounded were all removed to this side OF the
river before the evacuation and being well cared
for and the dead all buried under fag-oftruce
The surgeon reports q much larger proportion than
usual of slight wounds, $50 only being treated IN
hospitals
am glad TO represent the army ut the present time
in good condition.
Thanking the Government for that entire support
and confidence which have always received from
H. remain. General. very respectfully your obedient
seryant A. +. BURNSIDE
Major Gen. Com. Army OF the Potomac.