The Progress., 1897-01-30

" as given the task Of organizing coast
division. The intention was to move al.
most simultaneously with large army,
having its center in Virginia, its right |
wing west Of the Blue Ridge and its
left on the Atlantic coast. all marching |
toward some strategic point OF the Con- |
federacy.
Pursuant to the plan, Burnside sailed |
for Hatteras in January. 1862, with
sealed orders. which, when opened. d.
rected him to capture North Carolina
Tho feet was scattered by gale which
lasted for two weeks, and Burnside was
in despair. Happily the vessels at last
reached shelter within the sounds. and
in q short time the whole Of Roanoke
and important territory beyond were
conquered for tho Union.
For q time Burnside was the hero OF
the hour. There had been reverses in
the west, and the Confederates were
bending all their energies 70 bar the
march Ct the Union center across Vir-
ginia and beyond the James- The army
in North Carolina lay idle during the
campaign of Mcclellan on the peninsula.
Burnside visited McClellan's camps on
the Chickahominy and saw for himself
the difficulties Of the situation. When
the Army of the Potomac was with
drawn from the peninsula. burnside
united the bulk Of his army with It
About that time he was offered the
chief command in the east, the place
which was given to Pope. BE twice re-
fused to supersede Mcclellan.
In tho Maryland campaign Burnside
added to his laurels as a soldier by lead
ing the attack ON South Mountain, and
also in the affair on the field OF Antte'
tam known as the battle OF "Burnside's
Brigade The manner in which Burn.
side handled his corps was. however. ON
the whole, unfortunate, to say the least.
His force Of 5000 was neutralized by
4, 900 Confederates, ard the bridge head.
which he carried after several hours
costly delay, was defended by only 400
men. Still there was no open rupture
between the two generals, who. above
oil others, at that time held the conf
dence of the troops Of the Army OF the
Potomac. The next step in Burnside's
career was his appointment to displace
Mcclellan. The situation was most crit
| ical. and the circumstances of the trans
| fer of command were dramatic in the
extreme. Tho army was in the presence
| of the enemy and committed to daring
plan of campaign. Late on the night OF
| Nov. General G. P. Buckingham. a
confidential agent of the war depart
| ment, reached headquarters with orders
| which changed the whole face Of the
| war in the east Burnside was notified
| first, and there Is on record a very frank
| statement Of his opinion OF the proceed
| ing. He said:
After getting over my surprise. the shock
| etc. told General Buckingham that did mol
| want the command: that II had been oneret
| me twice before. and ] did not feel that could
| toxic 1t: that Twas not competent TO COMMAND
| such a large army. had said the same ovel
4 and over again to the president and the score
4 tary OF war. and also that IL things could b
| arranged satisfactorily with General McC1ei
| lun thought he could command the Army O
| the Potomac better than any other general IN II
| Mcclellan suspected the mission o.
| Buckingham to camp at that time. Ii
his memoirs he says:
| at once suspected that he brought an or
der relieving me from command, but kept Z,
own counsel. Late Mt night was alone In m!
| tent writing. All the staff were asleep. Sud