170 



AEMY OPERATIONS. 



had fallen. Every attempt to remove them 

 by the Federal troops was defeated hy the 

 Confederate infantry. 



In the centre, under the command of Gen. 

 Hooker, skirmishing commenced early in the 

 morning ; and during the forenoon, while the 

 fog prevailed, a terrific contest, chiefly with ar- 

 tillery, was kept up on both sides. The Con- 

 federate position appeared to be invulnerable 

 to artillery, and about noon preparations were 

 made for storming it. The troops marched 

 steadily up within musket shot of the batteries, 

 and were there met by such a destructive fire 

 of artillery and rifles as drove them back with 

 a heavy loss. Keenforcements were obtained, 

 and the attempt to take the batteries was re- 

 peated hi the afternoon, but without success. 

 The contest continued with great fierceness 

 until night. About half past five the firing of 

 musketry ceased, but that of the artillery con- 

 tinued until long after dark. 



On the next day, Sunday the 14th, both ar- 

 mies remained comparatively quiet. Some 

 skirmishing and artillery fire took place for a 

 short time. Gen. Burnside sent the following 

 despatch to President Lincoln early in the 

 morning : 



HEADQUARTERS ARMY POTOMAC, } 

 FOITR O'CLOCK, A. M., December 14. f 

 THE PRESIDENT: I have just returned from the field. 

 Our troops are all over the river and hold the first 

 ridge outside the town and 8 miles below. We hope to 

 carry the crest to-day. Our loss is heavy sav 5,000. 



A. E. BURNSlfiE, 

 Major-General Commanding. 



On Monday, both armies continued in the 

 same position. The Confederates had strength- 

 ened some of their works. During the ensu- 

 ing night, the army evacuated Fredericksburg 

 and retired across the river to its former 

 position. The artillery crossed first, followed 

 by the infantry, the last of whom left about 

 daylight. The pontoon bridges were then re- 

 moved and all communication cut off. The 

 movement was not perceived by the Confeder- 

 ates until it was too late to do any injury to 

 the retreating force. The following is the de- 

 spatch of Gen. Burnside announcing this move- 

 ment : 



HEADQUARTERS ARMY POTOMAC, ) 

 BIX O'CLOCK p. M., December 16, 1862. ) 

 Maj.-Gen. HALLECK: The army was withdrawn to 

 this side of the river because I felt the position in front 

 could not be carried, and it was a military necessity 

 either to attack or retire. A repulse would have been 

 disastrous to us. The army was withdrawn at night 

 without the knowledge of the enemy, and without Toss 

 either of property or men. A. E. BURNSIDE, 

 Major-General Commanding. 



The Federal loss was as follows : Gen. Sum- 

 ner's division on the right, killed, 473 ; wound- 

 ed, 4,090 ; missing, 748, Total, 5,311, 



Gen. Hooker's division on the centre, killed, 

 326; wounded, 2,468: missing, 754. Total, 

 3,548. 



Gen. Franklin's division on the left, killed, 

 339; wounded, 2,547; missing, 576. Total, 



3,462. Grand total, killed, 1,138 ; wounded. 

 9,105 ; missing, 2,078. Total, 12,321. 



The Confederate loss was comparatively 

 small, having been sheltered by their works. 



Gen. Burnside, in his report to the general- 

 in-chief, thus explains his defeat : 



How near we came to the accomplishment of our 

 object future reports will show. But for the fog, and 

 the unexpected and unavoidable delay in building the 

 bridges, which gave the enemy 24 hours to concentrate 

 his forces in his strong position, we would almost cer- 

 tainly have succeeded, in which case the battle would 

 have been, in my opinion, far more decisive than if we 

 had crossed at the places first selected. As it was, we 

 came very near success. Failing in accomplishing the 

 main object, we remained in order of battle two days, 

 long enough to decide that the enemy would not come 

 out of his strongholds to fight me with his infantry, 

 after which we recrossed to this side of the river un- 

 molested, without the loss of men or property. 



As the day broke our long lines of troops were seen 

 marching to their different positions as if going on pa- 

 rade not the least demoralization or disorganization 

 existed. 



To the brave officers and soldiers who accomplished 

 the feat of thus recrossing in the face of the enemy, I 

 owe everything. For the failure in the attack, I am 

 responsible, as the extreme gallantry, courage, and 

 endurance shown by them were never exceeded, and 

 would have carried the points had it been possible. 



To the families and friends of the dead I can only 

 offer my heartfelt sympathies, but for the wounded I 

 can offer my earnest prayer for their comfort and final 

 recovery. 



The fact that I decided to more from Warrenton on 

 to this line rather against the opinion of the President, 

 Secretary of War, and yourself, and that you have 

 left the whole movement in my hands, without giving 

 me orders, makes me the more responsible. 



Thus closed the third campaign against 

 Richmond. No further hostile demonstrations 

 were made by either army during the year. On 

 the 31st of December, the Confederate general 

 Lee issued the following address to his troops : 



HEADQUARTERS ABMY or NORTHERN VIRGINIA, ) 

 Dec. 21, 1832. $ 



General Order, No. 38. 



1. The Geaeral commanding takes this occasion to 

 express to the officers and soldiers of the army his high 

 appreciation of the fortitude, valor, and devotion dis- 

 played by them, which, under the blessing of Almighty 

 God, have added the victory of Fredericksburg to the 

 long lists of their triumphs. 



An arduous march, performed with celerity under 

 many disadvantages, exhibited the discipline and 

 spirit of the troops and their eagerness to confront the 

 foe. 



The immense army of the enemy completed its pre- 

 parations for the attack without interruption, and 

 gave battle in its own time, and on ground of its own 

 Belection. 



It was encountered by less than twenty thousand of 

 this brave army, and its columns, crushed and broken, 

 hurled back at every point with such fearful slaughter 

 that escape from entire destruction became the boast 

 of those who had advanced in full confidence of 

 victory. 



The war is not yet ended. The enemy is still nu- 

 merous and strong, and the country demands of the 

 army a renewal of its heroic efforts in her behalf. 

 Nobly has it responded to her call in the past, and she 

 will never appeal in vain to its courage and patriotism. 



The signal manifestations of Divine mercy that have 

 distinguished the eventful and glorious campaign of 

 the year just closing, give assurance of hope that, un- 

 der the guidance of the same AJmighty hand, the com- 



