The National tribune., 1892-10-13
HISTORY OF THE CORPS.
Continued from first page.)

cember, 1863, he was in command of the Depart
ment of the Ohio From January to April,
1864, lie was engaged in recruiting for the
Ninth Corps, and upon its reorganization, April
90, 1864, resumed command and participated in
the operations during the campaign from the
Rapidan to the James, and in the Richmond
campaign before Petersburg, until Aug. IL,
1864, from which date he was on leave of abb
sence, awaiting orders, until April Is, 1865,
when he resigned his commission in the army.
He died Sept. l3 1881, at Bristol, r. l.. aged 81.
In 1862 the State of Rhode Island presented
Gen. Burnside with Sword of Honor In testi-
mony Of his services at Roanoke Island; and
in 1864 he received the thanks of Congress for
gallantry, good conduct and soldier-like en-
DURANGO" in North Carolina and East Tennes-
see
Gen. Burnside. on assuming command of the
Army of the Potomac. at once began the prepa-
ration Of plan of operations which contem-
plated demonstration toward Culpeper.
rapid march to Falmouth, the crossing of the
RappahannOck upon pontoons at that place.
the seizure of Fredericksburg and the nights
beyond and the establishment of temporary
base of supplies at Aqua Creek.
On the 18th he announced the organization
of portion Of the army into three grand di-
visions. The Second and Ninth Corps formed
the right grand division, to be commanded by
Ma. Gen. L. " Sumner; the First and Sixth
Corps formed the left grand division, to be
commanded by Maj. Gen. w. B. franklin the
Third and Fifth Corps formed the center grand
division, to be commanded by Mai Gen. Jo-
seph Hooker. The Eleventh Corps, under COM
mand of Mai.-Gen. f. Sigel was constituted
reserve force.
Atdaybreak on the 18th Of November Gen.
Summers command started, and was followed
by the remainder of the army on the 18th.
Gen. Sumner reached Falmouth on the 18th,
and remained there to await the arrival of the
rest of the army. Gen. Burnside left War
renton on the 10th, reaching Falmouth on
the 10Th, and was greatly surprised to find that
the pontoon train which was to have been or
dered from Washington had not arrived and
that nothing further in the execution of his
plans could be done. In the meantime Gen.
Lee perceiving the movements of the Union
forces, and anticipating their objects, fastened
across the country and occupied the flights of
Fredericksburg, thus defeating the plans which
Gen. Burnside had so carefully matured.
The question which now confronted Gen.
Burnside was whether to go into Winter quar-
tiers or to further press the enemy. He re-
solved upon the latter course, and began the
preparation of new plans. On Dec 10 the
army which had been concentrated on the river
front began to get in readiness to move.
Bridges were to be thrown across the river at
different points-one near where the County
bridge had stood; another opposite the lower
end Of the town, and another a mile below
Fredericksburg. Six bridges in all were to be
laid at these points. and on them the army
was to cross the Rappahannock.
The morning of the 18th revealed to the
enemy the design of crossing and when the
work of laying the bridges had become well
advanced sharpshooters stationed in the streets
and houses opened destructive fire upon the
working parties The artillery of the Union
forces then opened along the line opposite the
town, and set fire to and destroyed number
of houses. The sharpshooters, however held
their position, and so destructive was their fire
that further work upon the bridges was aban-
doned.
1t was then resolved to attempt crossing by
boats drive out its defenders, and hold the town
until the bridges could be completed. Voun-
teers readily responded to the call for this |
hazardous undertaking, and after few min
utes pulling, under heavy and most deadly |
fire, reached the opposite shore, rushed up the |
bank and through the streets, and i'll less than !
an hour had possession of the City of Fred
ericksburg During the 18th the troops con- |
tinued to cross.
On the morning Of the 18th the Union forces |
were put into position TO deliver battle, and |
about IL clock the advance began. The center |
of the line was formed by the Ninth Corps, and |
Gen. Wilcox was directed to hold his corps in
to support the left and right. In the |
afternoon portion of Col. Carroll's Brigade |
was sent to the assistance of Gen. Sturgis but, |
though fighting with great valor, they could |
not dislodge the enemy, and Gen. Sturgis with |
drew from his advanced position.
The 14th was occupied in caring for the |
portion of which were sent across |
the river, and the 18th was spent in burying |
the dead. At night Gen. Burnside quietly |
his army across the Rappahannock. |
took up the bridges, and occupied the former |
camps Thus ended battle which was fought |
with undaunted bravery on both sides, but |
which resulted in great disaster to the Union |
forces. The following is statement in detail |
Of the loss Of the Ninth Corps: