By that gloomy disaster Burnside
almost completely lost the confidence of his officers and men, and
rumors soon came to the President that a spirit akin to mutiny pervaded
the army. When information came that, on the day after Christmas,
Burnside was preparing for a new campaign, the President telegraphed
him:
"I have good reason for saying you must not make a general movement of
the army without letting me know."
This, naturally, brought Burnside to the President for explanation, and,
after a frank and full discussion between them, Mr. Lincoln, on New
Year's day, wrote the following letter to General Halleck:
"General Burnside wishes to cross the Rappahannock with his army, but
his grand division commanders all oppose the movement. If in such a
difficulty as this you do not help, you fail me precisely in the point
for which I sought your assistance. You know what General Burnside's
plan is, and it is my wish that you go with him to the ground, examine
it as far as practicable, confer with the officers, getting their
judgment and ascertaining their temper; in a word, gather all the
elements for forming a judgment of your own, and then tell General
Burnside that you do approve, or that you do not approve, his plan. Your
military skill is useless to me if you will not do this.
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