The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-05
Looking Backward Half Century. When
Burnside, Under the Whip Of Public
Clamor, Attempted the Impossible.
fredericksburg Fatal Folly.
munitions of war.

munitions OF war
While one corps of the army was
thus engaged the other insured its
success by arresting al boonsooro
the combined armies OF the enemy,
advancing under their fsvorite general.
to the relief of their belcasured com
"On the feld of sharpsburg. with
less than one third his numbers. you
resisted from daylight until dark the
Whole army OF the enemy. ana re-
pulsed every attack along his entire
front OF more than four miles in ox-
tent.
you stood prepared to resume the con.
fic- on the same ground, and retired
the next morning without molesta-
ton across the Potomac.
Two attempts TO follow you. subse-
quentiy made by the enemy. across
the river have resulted in complete
discontinue. each being driven oack
r. L. Lee General Commanding.
Since the 25th of June the Army OF
Northern Virginia mad marched over
300 miles on half rations, half clothed
and half shcd. II had met and defeated
three powerful armies in twelve battles
and numerous skirmishes, INJECTING up
on the enemy a loss OF !eOuc men. OF
which nearly 30 600 had been captured :;
$50 fire pieces of artillery and nearly 20
600 stand OF small arms and stores well
up into eight figures had either been
captured OF destroyed
The achievements of Lees army in
three months can hardly be paralleled,
its record in that time cannot be ex-
celled.
A season of rest was now welcomed
McClellan's exhaustion had not been
overcome. He still waited for rein
forcements and rest Ills government
became FESTIVE under his inaction and
pressed him to advance General Lee
took up a position in the valley where
he could guard his front or quickly
thrust his army through the gaps Of the
Blue Mountain just as McCiellan's
movements should require. Prom near
Winchester he could hold the Blue army
in check II he attempted the Valley
Route or he could menace his TANKS II
he advanced east of the ridge. Lee
quietly awaited action by Mcclellan
President Lincoln desired Mcclellan 20
move south and attempt TO place his
army between General Ice and Rich
mond. and II Mcclellan would move
promptly and out General Lee. he would
add % coo men 10 hts force. thus building
his army up TO 1000 men. Mcclellan
favored the Shenandoah Route. fearing
n he attempted the route east OF the
Ridge. Lee would put that famous foot
cavalry IN motion. and before the eiue
soldiers could rccrots the river. Lee
would again be in Maryland.
While hating between these two
opinions, the fall rains became factor
and rendered the fords Of the Potomac
useless. The conditions of the Potomac
solved the problem Mcclellan then
thus outlined his purpose The plan
OF campaign I adopted during the ad-
vance. was TO move the army well IN
hand parallel TO the Blue Ridge taking
Warrcnton 80 tho point OF direction for
the main body sailing each pass in the
Blue Ridge by detachments AZ We ap-
preached 10. and guarding them after
We hsf passed. as long as they would en-
able he enemy 20 trouble our conmuni-
tions with the Potomac. xx We de-
pended upon Harpcr'e Ferry and Bcr-
lin for supplies until the Manassas Gap
Railroad was reached when that &C
CURED. the passes in our rear were TO be
abandoned and the army maesed ready
for action OF movement In any cirec-
ton
1T was my intention. ", upon reach
inc Ashby's Gap or any other pass. l
found that the enemy was in force be-
tween IT and the Potomac in the Valley