New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-17

A FORMER WAR CORRESPONDENTS RECOLLFCTIoNs
OF THE DEAD RHODE ISLAND SENATOR.
MT. Nathaniel Paige, formerly journalist and
war correspondent, Washington lawyer,
gave a TRIBUNE reporter Thursday, some interest
ing "reminiscences of General Burnside.
was one of THE TRBUNEs correspondents
with the Army of the Potomac" said Mr.. Paige
ana was with Burnside in all the battles he fought
III virginia. He was an excel ent corps commander
brave as lion, energetic, intensely patriotic and
exceedingly careful of the lives and comfort of his
men, AS the chief of a great army, he was out of
place, and no man knew it better than he himself.
lie was one of the few leading generals
oil the war who never sought advance
ment. l with HIM at Warrenton
when the news came that he had been appointed
to supersede Mcclellan in the command of the Army
of the Potomac. He said very earnestly that he
was not competent for the place, and instead of be-
IN elated by his great promotion seemed filed with
anxiety. lie attributed his appointment to the
good will of the soldiers of the army, and he was
probably right there. Among McClellan's corps
commanders he was the most popular with the Off
GERS and men. No other appoin ment would have
pleased the army well at the time.
General Bunsde's fatal attack on Lee at Freder-
icksbdrg, was movement planned by himself, but
1t was approved by majority of the members of the
council of war, to whom he submitted it, Frank
hn believe, was the only general who strongly
opposed it. When it was adopted, Franklin
proposed that he be allowed to the river with
his troops about ten miles below the town and thus
make a diversion to draw of portion of Lees
forces from their strong position the hills back of
Fredericksburg. This was aSsented to, but tho
crossing was effected too late to be of much use
flank movement, and Lee, doubt, understood
that the main attack would come upon his front,
and acted accordingly in the disposition of his
forces.
burnside was eager to make grand Napoleonic
stroke, and believed that by brilliant charge he
could break and shatter the enemy's army. The
war afforded few more splendid spectacles than the
Smelling of Fredericksburg by batteries the
Falmouth Hills the placing OF the pOntoon bridges
the crossing of our troop and the charge on the
stone walls back of the town ; but the movement
fearful military bunder because the chances
were all against dislodglng and routing powerful
army having all the advantage of position and FIR
ing from breastworks upon unprotected rcg-
ments. After the defeat and retreat of the army
across the river | was sitting late at night
In an old house, in Falmouth, writing my
account of the battle by the light of n
tallow candle, when. to my surprise saw General
Burnside enter the room. He locke like
stunned and dazed. Oblivious of my presence he
threw himself upon big old-fashioned bed. which.
beside the table which was writing. was the
only piece of furniture in the room. and exclaimed
INV God, what have done! What a dreadful
calamity! What terrible sacrifice of life for no
good" For some mInu es he continued to groan and
lament the disaster in broken calculations After a
while he became calmer anl seemed TO gradually
realize where he was Suddenly he rose from the
bed and walked ont of the roorn without noticing
me. never mentioned to HIM his strange nocturnal
visit to my quarters, and OF course said nothing Of II
in my correspondence He was no doubt half-crazed
by grief over the defeat at the time. bu by the next
morning he had regained his soldierly dignity and
calm.
"He took upon himself all the blame for the disas-
ter in the most manly fashion, not seeking to shield
himself behind the decision Of the council of war
and he promptly asked to be relieved from the com
mand o. the army.
Burnside of the most kind hearted
Of men. He was as courteous TO the private
soldiers 10 the officers, returning their "a
lutes and often stopping 10 chat with them as
he walked through the camps or rode past a
serve under him. because of his careful attention TO
the personal welfare of his troops, commSsary sun
plies, doc orng. hospital service. and the like and
of his kindly manner toward all subOrdnatcs. He
kept his command in good military TRIM His men
marched well and fought well, aud were no dnutt
all the better soldiers Tor their hearty liking for
their chief
not as stout in those DAYS as in recent years and had
fine stately presence, whether foot on horse
back. The top OF his heal was quite bald lie
wore mustache and heavy side whiskers During
army and III civil life, his style of beard was unIvrr
sally called Burnside whiskers' and this term
has not yet wholly fallen into disuSe For genera.
ton IN England Wellington gave a name to top
boots; so III tins country NcClclan's name ttaches
to saddle. and Burnsdc's TO a certain style Of
WhiskersN