1862.]

RESOLUTIONS BY OFFICERS.

337

gies were consecrated, at the sacrifice of whatever makes an affluent and refined home attractive, if need were to lay down life itself in the service of the Government, evinces at once the warmth and earnestness of his devotion to the interests of his afflicted country, and the serious loss these interests have sustained in the death of such an advocate.

3. That in all the duties of a good soldier, firm without being austere—strict in discipline and yet kindly in its execution-skillful, without ostentation, in the control and management of his regiment-not less prompt to render obedience to those above him, than determined to exact it from those under his command-regardful of the personal comfort of the soldiers entrusted to his care, ever promoting it to the utmost of his power-he has left behind him a record at once honorable and exemplary.

4. That his bearing in the fierce battle, in which his death-wound was received, standing with unfaltering gallantry beside his men, cheering them on by voice and example, while the deadly tempest was rapidly thinning the ranks of those around him, nor ceasing his efforts till he fell and was borne bleeding from the field, presents a shining example of the qualities by which the true soldier should be distinguished, and must prove an ever fragrant memory to those who honored and loved him while living.

5. That we sincerely and deeply sympathize with the sorrowing family of our late commander, in the irreparable loss they have sustained-that a copy of these Resolutions be forwarded to them, and published in the New York and Albany papers and those of Kingston and Catskill, N. Y."

September 29.-Marched with brigade 2.30 P.M. to a point one mile northwest of Sharpsburg, near the Potomac river, where encamped. Distance marched, 14

miles.

October 7.-General Patrick having been assigned to duty at General McClellan's Headquarters, as ProvostMarshal-General of the Army of the Potomac, took leave of the brigade in the following Order:

HEADQ'RS THIRD BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION,
FIRST ARMY CORPS,

Camp Barnett, October 7, 1862.

GENERAL ORDERS, No 64.

The Brigadier-General commanding having been assigned to duty at the Headquarters of the Army of the Potomac by General Orders No. 161, of the 6th inst., hereby relinquishes to Colonel Rodgers, of the Twentyfirst N. Y. Volunteers, the command of the brigade he received from him 7 months ago. Only 7 months ago he assumed command; yet the ties that bind those who, like ourselves, have shared each other's hardships and dangers, who have followed the same standard through so many battles, and gathered around it with their ranks thinned, but unbroken, when the combat was oversuch ties cannot be broken by the Order that relieves your General from the command.

That he must continue to take the liveliest interest in the welfare of a brigade that has never failed in the hour of peril, whether in daylight or darkness, to honor his every command, no one can doubt; and he trusts that both officers and men will touch lightly upon his faults, in the full conviction that, as their commander, he has endeavored to discharge his duties to them, to his country and his God. He leaves you with fervent wishes for your prosperity, and the earnest hope that an honorable peace may soon be won, so that we may once more return to our loved homes by the broad rivers and lakes of the Empire State.

By order of

GENERAL PATRICK.

1862.]

GENERAL PAUL HIS SUCCESSOR.

339

General Gabriel Paul, an accomplished and gallant officer, who subsequently lost both eyes by a gun-shot wound at Gettysburg, was assigned to the command of the brigade, and retained the command at the time the regiment was transferred to General Patrick's provisional brigade, January 7, 1863.

WHAT WAS EXPECTED OF BURNSIDE-MUST ACT QUICKLY-POSITION OF LEE-BURNSIDE ACCEPTABLE TO ARMY-WHAT HE SHOULD HAVE DONE -WHAT HE DID DO-ARMIES MOVE ON PARALLEL LINES-LEE AHEAD -A MUDDLE ABOUT THE PONTOONS-A BLUNDER AT THE OUTSETBURNSIDE ALONE RESPONSIBLE-BURNSIDE'S MISTAKE AT FREDERICKSBURG-OPERATIONS PRECEDING THE CROSSING-FRUITLESS ATTEMPT TO LAY THE BRIDGES-SIGNAL GUNS BOMBARDMENT OF FREDERICKSBURG-CROSSING IN THE PONTOON BOATS-THE REBEL SHARP-SHOOTERS DISPERSED THE BRIDGES LAID-THE ARMY CROSSES THE RIVER --POSITION AND STRENGTH OF LEE'S ARMY-THREE HUNDRED CANNONS --THE SLAUGHTER OF THE 13TH DECEMBER-FIGHTING BY DRIBLETS— FRANKLIN'S ORDERS-WHAT A ZEALOUS GENERAL WOULD HAVE DONE -OPERATIONS ON THE RIGHT-BURNSIDE INEXORABLE-NIGHT, AT LAST THE LOSSES-BURNSIDE'S STATEMENT-BURNSIDE ASSUMES ALL

RESPONSIBILITY-PRESIDENT INTERDICTS MOVEMENT BY LEFT-INTERFERENCE BY SUBORDINATES-WHAT BURNSIDE INTENDED TO DO -WHAT HE DID DO-THE MUD CAMPAIGN-HIS ORDER AGAINST CERTAIN OFFICERS HE HIMSELF RELIEVED-HOOKER SUCCEEDS HIMTHE ULSTER GUARD IN THE BATTLE-ITS MOVEMENTS DOWN TO THE END OF THE YEAR-ITS CASUALTIES DURING THE YEAR.

WHEN General Burnside was placed in command of the Army of the Potomac the administration and the loyal people of the country were impatient of the long delay that had followed the battle of Antietam. They were likewise dissatisfied with the results of that battle, and the escape of the Confederate army with the trophies of Harper's Ferry and the plunder of Chambersburg. Lee had lain during these five weeks of inactivity within a few miles of McClellan's army, but no attempt had been made by the latter to disturb his repose. It was well known that the Confederates had left Maryland in a wretched plight, in so far as shoes, clothing, and supplies were concerned, and that they were greatly inferior in number to the Union Army. It was thought by the President and his advisers and by the country generally to be a favorable time to strike a telling blow at this audacious foe.

1862.]

WHAT WAS EXPECTED OF BURNSIDE.

341

Burnside knew he was expected to do what McClellan had failed to do, and that whatever he did must be done quickly. It was on the seventh of November, and a furious snow-storm was prevailing, when General Buckingham rode into camp with the Order assigning Burnside to the command. The season for active operations was near its close. To go into winter quarters without a battle was the last thing to be thought of. In twelve hours the snow had disappeared, the ground was dry, the roads were in splendid condition and the air was as balmy as though it had never floated a snow-flake.

Lee had moved up the Shenandoah Valley, the great highway of rebel armies, keeping opposite the Army of the Potomac, and separated from it by the Blue Ridge, some of the passes of which were occupied by the Federals and others by the Confederates.

Burnside had given higher promise of energy and capacity than any other of the corps commanders of the army. He had the prestige of a successful campaign in North Carolina, and the country confided in his earnest and indefatigable energy and unquestionable patriotism. In short he seemed the fittest man to succeed McClellan if McClellan were to have a successor, and was accepted by the army with more satisfaction than any other man who could have been named.

In view of the relative positions and conditions of the two armies, and of the public expectations (if these may be taken into account in such momentous affairs), Burnside should have made it his instant business to find the rebel army and fight it. He knew where to look for it and two days' march would have brought Lee to battle or compelled him to flee. Moving by his left upon Gordensville he might have placed himself between Lee and Richmond and compelled him to fight to recover his communications and open his way to his base. Instead of this, Burnside spent ten days at Warrenton, deliberating and reorganizing the army. He formed the six