The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-01-16
kept anything back from each other. But
I didn't say anything to them Of this

kept anything back from each other. But
I didn't say anything to them of this
matter. #N
Finally the morning flxed upon for
the movement came. The Sixth corps was
ordered to be at q certain place, after
wards known as Franklin's crossing, at
daylight when pontoon bridges were to be
ready for US to cross. This was the morn
ing OF tn 18th of December. I came to
the bank Of the river at daylight, with
the head of the Sixth corps, and found
that only three or four pontoon boats
were in position and that no work was
being done. On inquiry I found that there
were some little fishermen's shanties on
the opposite side and that some sharp
shooters had occupied them, and, by
there fire, had stopped the work. We got
up some artillery and drove away the
sharpshooters. Then the laying Of the
bridge went on.
II think 1t was about 8 o'clock III the
afternoon that the two bridges that were
for our use were completed and I re-
ceived orders to cross. I got a division to
the other side and then there came word
from headquarters. that there had been
trouble with the bridges at Fredericks-
burg, and that I was to withdraw all Of
my troops that had crossed except one
brigade and wait until the next morning
upon the left bank for further orders.
Now. mind you, Genera Burnside had
announced that there was to be a sur
prise, and his whole plan depended upon
1t, and that he was going to occupy the
hills back of Fredericksburg before Lee
could get his troops there to hold them.
Here was half a ALPHABETICALLY a day,
in fact-gone before I could get q division
across, and all but one brigade had been
brought back and the bridge In front Of
the city was not yet begun. Some men
were finally sent over in boats at that
point and occupied the place where sharp
shooters had been hidden, nj that
bridge, I think was built that night.
1.-THE next m~orning-th, 12th-we got the
left grand division over and the crossing
was also effected above. It took us pretty
much all day. however, to get our left
grand division across n In position. I
marched forward and covered the bridge.
Reynolds, with his corps, moved over to
the left.
There were now really two days gone.
I think it was somewhere about 3 o'clock
that Burnside came down to our end of
the line. We all knew him very well and
had been on such terms with him that
we could say to him anything that we
though in regard to the plan. On that
day Franklin, Reynolds and I had deter
mined that the only possible course for
our side then was to have the left wing
attck the rebels In strong force. We sug-
gested to Burnside to put 10000 men.
which was about the strength Of the left
grand division, into an assault upon the
rebel right. The Third corps, which was
on the left bank Of the stream, should
come over early and relieve my corps in
guarding the pontoon bridges. SO that we
could be in position in line Of. battle for
the coming action. The men could sleep
on their arms and at daylight Of the1 18th
be up and off. 4
s Burnside went along the lines and
was cheered. as all great soldiers are, and
when he turned back Franklin called him
Into our tent and told him that we had
gone over the whole situation, and what
we desired to suggest as the best way to
reach the enemy. Burnside listened to 1t
all, said yes, yes, yes as If in full &C.
quiescence, and we thought-though ]
cannot recollect that he said positively
that he would do it-that he had accepted
our plan of battle. AS he went away
Franklin said to him:
Now, Burnside, you understand that
we have a good deal Of work to do tonight
to get ready for this movement, and you
will have to send us the orders very soon.