FROM THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC: OUR SPECIAL ARMY CORRESPONDENCE; LETTERS FROM HEADQUARTERS (12/5/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 12/5/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, NEAR FALMOUTH, Va., Wednesday, Dec. 3, 1862.

Gen. BURNSIDE has returned from Washington, and grievously disappointed the mawworms here, who have been swearing that "his head would be off next." Not only is his head not off, nor yet borne, Anthropophaginian-like, "beneath his shoulder," but it seems to be much more than ever firmly planted in its proper place, while it has all the appearance of being relieved of a heavy fardel of care and doubt and distress.

What may have transpired in the private interview between the Commanding General and the authorities at Washington -- what may have been demanded, and what promised on the one side and the other -- is, of course, not a matter for present discussion. This much, however, I can freely say: The result of the interview seems to have been entirely satisfactory to Gen. BURNSIDE. He will now be "let alone" -- allowed to follow out his own plans, in his own time and way, free from Bureaucratic dictation at Washington, and confident that he will have from the Government all the assistance he asks for.

I have long seen -- in fact, ever since BURNSIDE assumed command -- that it must either end thus, or end in disaster. I have been loath to write for some time, chiefly because I could honestly play only the ungrateful part of a prophet of evil. Every one, of the least insight, could see that the attempt of the Washington authorities to carry on the campaign must end in a miserable failure. Already the most important operations have been baulked by official blundering and stupidity. Take, for example, the affairs of the pontoons -- instructive episode in the history of this eventful campaign.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4113797/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

From the Army of the Potomac: Our Special Army Correspondence – 2-3
From the Indian Territory: A Bloody Fight at Fort Cobb Between the Wichitas and the Rebel Tribes – 3
The War in the Southwest: Flight of the Rebels from Abbeville, Miss. – 3
News from Washington: Important Work Laid Out in Congress – 4-5
Gen. Grant’s March Through Mississippi – 5
Editorial: Military Accountability – The Pending Courts-Martial – 5-6
Editorial: How to Raise Other Armies – 6
The Surrender of Harper’s Ferry – 6
Editorial: Munificent Response to the Appeal for English Operatives – 6-7
Working Naval Ordnance – 7

[higgmeister]

Take, for example, the affairs of the pontoons -- instructive episode in the history of this eventful campaign.

Very instructive.