nation, but simply to relieve you from any embarrassment in changing commanders where a lack of confidence may have rendered it necessary." In reply, he received a letter from General Halleck approving his plans, and advising that a forward movement be made, and as early as possible. On this, the President made the following indorse ment: January 8, 1863. I understand General Halleck has sent you a letter, of which this is a copy. I approve this letter. I deplore the want of concurrence with you in opinion by your general officers, but I do not see the remedy. Be cautious, and do not understand that the government or country is driving you. I do not yet see how I could profit by changing the command of the Army of the Potomac, and if I did, I should not wish to do it by accepting the resignation of your commission. A. LINCOLN. Fortified by these opinions, and agreeing with General Halleck that both the army and the enemy should be occupied, he again made preparations for a forward movement. Making General Lee believe that he intended to cross the river below Fredericksburg, he moved up the river, intending to cross at the upper fords and turn General Lee's left flank. When everything was prepared, he issued the following order: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, General Orders, No. 7. CAMP NEAR Falmouth, Va., Jan. 20, 1863. } The commanding general announces to the Army of the Potomac that they are about to meet the enemy once more. The late brilliant actions in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas divided and weakened the enemy on the Rappahannock, and the auspicious moment seems to have arrived to strike a great and mortal blow at the Rebellion, and to gain that decisive victory which is due to the country. Let the gallant soldiers of so many brilliant battle-fields accomplish this achievement, and a fame the most glorious awaits them. The commanding general calls for a firm and united action of officers and men, and, under the providence of God, the Army of the Potomac will have taken the great step toward restoring peace to the country, and the government to its rightful authority. By command of Major-General BURNSIDE. LEWIS RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General. The army marched on the 20th of January, with pleasant weather and good roads, but at night a furious storm set in, and by daylight the roads were impassable for the artillery and the pontoon bridges. The rain fell in torrents. A chaos of pontoons and artillery incumbered the road down to the river, supply-wagons were stalled in the mud, ammunition trains were mired by the way, and horses and mules dropped down dead by scores. The movement had to be abandoned. General Burnside next determined to leave his artillery, and to make a bold attack with his infantry. But this was opposed by General Hooker, and several other officers were virtually insubordinate. General Burnside saw that victory would not crown his efforts with this lukewarm support and insubordination among his generals, and he wrote the following order: HEADQUARTERS Army of THE POTOMAC, Jan. 23, 1863. General Orders, No. 8. First Gen. Joseph E. Hooker, Major-General of Volunteers and Brigadier-General of the United States Army, having been guilty of unjust and unnecessary criticisms of the actions of his superior officers and of the authorities; and having, by the general tone of his conversation, endeavored to create distrust in the minds of officers who have associated with him; and having, by omissions and otherwise, made reports and statements which were calculated to create incorrect impressions; and for habitually speaking in disparaging terms of other officers, is hereby dismissed the service of the United States, as a man unfit to hold an important commission during a crisis like the present, when so much patience, charity, confidence, consideration, and patriotism are due from every soldier in the field. This order is issued subject to the approval of the President of the United States. Second - Brig.-Gen. W. T. H. Brooks, commanding First Division, Sixth Army Corps, for complaining of the policy of the government, and for using language tending to demoralize his command, is, subject to the approval of the President of the United States, dismissed from the military service of the United States. Third — Brig.-Gen. John Newton, commanding Third Division, Sixth Army Corps, and Brig.-Gen. John Cochrane, commanding First Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Army Corps, for going to the President of the United States with criticisms upon the plans of their commanding officers, are, subject to the approval of the President, dismissed from the military service of the United States. Fourth - It being evident that the following-named officers can be of no further service to this army, they are hereby relieved from duty, and will report in person, without delay, to the Adjutant-General of the United States Army. Maj.-Gen. W. B. Franklin, commanding Left Grand Division. Brig.-Gen. Sam. D. Sturgis, commanding Second Division, Ninth Army Corps. Brig.-Gen. Edward Ferero, commanding Second Brigade, Second Division, Ninth Army Corps. Brig.-Gen. John Cochrane, commanding First Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Army Corps. Lieut. Col. J. H. Taylor, Acting Adjutant-General Right Grand Division. By command of Maj.-Gen. A. E. BURNSIDE. LEWIS RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General. President Lincoln was not willing to permit the dismissal of the disaffected or demoralized generals, whose partisan feelings and prejudices had overshadowed their entire conduct. He accepted the alternative, and relieved General Burnside from the command of the Army of the Potomac, conferring the command on Gen. Joseph E. Hooker. In turning over the command to General Hooker, General Burnside issued the following farewell address: HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, General Orders, No. 9. By direction of the President of the United States, the commanding general this day transfers the command of this army to Maj.-Gen. Joseph Hooker. The short time that he has directed your movements has not been fruitful of victory, nor any considerable advancement of our lines, but it has again demonstrated an amount of courage, patience, and endurance that, under more favorable circumstances, would have accomplished great results. Continue to exercise these virtues, be true in your devotion to your country and the principles you have sworn to maintain, give to the brave and skillful general who has long been identified with your organization, and who is now to command you, your full and cordial support and cooperation, and you will deserve success. Your general, in taking an affectionate leave of the army, from which he separates with so much regret, may be pardoned if he bids an especial farewell to his long and tried associates of the Ninth Corps. His prayers are that God may be with you, and grant you continued success until the Rebellion is crushed. By command of Maj.-Gen. A. E. BURNSIDE. LEWIS RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General. RESIGNATION OF HIS COMMISSION NOT ACCEPTED BY PRESIDENT SUPPRESSION OF ELIEVED at his own request from the command of the Army of the Potomac, General Burnside went to Washington, where he formally tendered his resignation as a major-general of volunteers to the President, but Mr. Lincoln declined to receive it, quaintly remarking that he had other fish for him to fry." General Burnside replied that he would willingly accept any command, he cared not what it was, but that he was extremely reluctant to wear a major-general's shoulder-straps, and draw a major-general's pay, while doing nothing to earn his honor or his money. The genuine honesty, sincerity, and unselfish patriotism of the man were everywhere understood, and his journey from Washington to Providence accompanied by Mrs. Burnside, was a continuous ovation, the people assembling in crowds at the stations to do him. honor. It was understood that he desired to avoid any demon |