November 13, 1862 (Thursday): Burnside Asks for Approval

Fredericksburg

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
November 13, 1862-6.50 p.m.
Major General H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
    If possible, can you send me to-night a definite answer as to my plan of operations?


   A. E. BURNSIDE.
   Major-General.

Series I., Vol. 19, Part 2, Page 574.

McClellan had the Army of the Potomac in a relatively good position, with the possibility of it being interposed between Jackson and Longstreet.  But Burnside wanted to shift operations to the east to attack along the line of Fredericksburg to Richmond.  It would take the next four days before Sumner's grand division (two corps) arrived opposite Fredericksburg.  The approval Burnside seeks here would be granted directly by the President the next day.