Year: 1863

would seize his bridges and CIT off has
means Of retreat. Gen. Sumner, mean
time, had opened the fight to retain as
much of the rebel force in front as posi-
BILE. for the relief of franklin; and as he
never does anything but with the utmost
impetuosity, he had pushed the movement
till it had assumed the proportions of a
terrible engagement This shows "how
near" the battle came to being success.


3. The affair at Frederickshurgh, and
the Investigations that followed it, were
no sooner over than Gen Burnside pre-
pared for another aggressive movement.
1t embraced an attack in front, at point
selected with care, and formidable raid
of cavalry and light artillery, which was
to threaten the enemys communication,
and divert his attention from the main at
tack. 1t was bold plan, but if vigor-
ously executed, was reasonably certain Of
success. Every preparation had been
made for it, A picked force of cavalry
and artillery was got ready, under COM
mand of that dashing and most compe-
tent officer, Gen. Averill, and the execu-
tion of the movement was fixed for the
8 lst Of December The column destined
to make the raid was actually in motion,
when telegram from President Lincoln
announced to Burnside that he must make
no movement without first consulting him.
The general at once arrested the march of
his troops, and repaired to Washington.
The President informed him that the rea.
son of his dispatch was that some of Gen.
Burnside's subordinate officers had pro-
tested vehemently against the movement.
Thus failed the third attempt, through
the interference and insubordination of of.
ficers of the army.


4. The fourth and last of these at
tempts was the one of last Wednesday.
Gen. Burnside had prepared it with care
had examined personally and repeatedly
the ground on which it was to be executed
He had fixed the position which each di
vision was to occupy on crossing the river
He had ascertained by spies the position
and movements of the enemy, whom he
had completely deceived by feints as tc
the point of crossing, and counted with
the utmost confidence on taking him by
surprise. How this movement came te
fall l have already attempted to show.


| q q u Il It


Gen. Burnside has thus attempted tou,
attacks upon the sebel army in his front
since he assumed command of the Army
of the Potomac. In each instance he has
been embarrassed and thwarted by thost
who we're bound by every sentiment o
military honor and of patriotic duty t.
give him their cordial and effective sup
port The inference is very clear-ht
should either have the power to dismiss
these officers and put in their places 9th
ers who will second his plans, or he should
be relieved from his command.


u II . II & II


The mass of tlh army is thoroughly
loyal and ready for service. saw thou
sands of them on the morning after theil
terrible night march through rain and
tempest and mud, and | saw no symptoms
of dependency or of shrinking from duty
This would not apply oall. Among some
of the troops of the Generals most open in
their opposition to the Commanding Gen.
erals plans, there was much " struggling
on the march, and heard Of one corps Of
$4,000 men which on arriving numbered
but little over 5000. Of course this could
only have occurred with the connivance Of
their regimental and company officers, and
was due primarily to the Generalization at
division and corps headquarters of which
| have already spoken. If Gen. Burnside
would take prompt and resolute measures
to arrest the evil by striking at its root, by
furnishing insubordination in high places
as we'll as low, it would act upon the ar
my like an inspiration, and in ten days