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| Phillip's House, Burnsides HQ |
DECEMBER 12, 1862.
Major General J. G. PARKE:
Your dispatch received. The bridge I referred to was to be built with material here. The men, however, are too much exhausted to work to-night. Our pickets reported that a battery came down very close to them soon after dark. It will be necessary to drive it away at daylight. A force of cavalry and infantry is also on our left. I shall be glad to see General Burnside, but do not wish to deprive him of rest.
W. B. FRANKLIN,
Major-General.
[Indorsement.]
I think the extra bridge ought to be built; that his command ought to cross, and, as soon as he and Summer are over, attack simultaneously.
A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
December 12, 1862.
General D. P. WOODBURY,
Commanding Volunteer Engineer Brigade:
I believe General Franklin has spoken to Major Magruder about a foot bridge or infantry bridge where his other bridges are, if there are pontoons enough. General Smith spoke to me about a foot bridge this evening, and, on referring it to General Burnside, he said he had told you to put it up at town, but now thinks it had much better be below, and wished me to tell you.
Very respectfully,
C. B. COMSTOCK,
Lieutenant of Engineers and Chief Engineer, Army of the Potomac.
DECEMBER 12, 1862. (Received 6.07 a.m.)
General J. G. PARKE:
Yesterday the smoke entirely obstructed the view of the other side of the river. It is probably the same this morning. The movement has been ordered to take place at daylight.
W. B. FRANKLIN,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS FRANKLIN'S GRAND DIVISION,
December 12, 1862-9.15. [a.m.] (Received 12.45 p.m.)
General BURNSIDE,
Commanding Army of the Potomac:
General Franklin's grand division crossing well. Two divisions of Smith's corps already over. The third division about to cross. Bayard's cavalry will cross first, to reconnoiter, and to communicate with Sumner. A battery is now crossing. Three batteries already over. A portion of the artillery on the bluffs in position might, it is thought, be advantageously taken over. Franklin needs some.
Very respectfully,
JAS. A. HARDIE,
Brigadier-General of Volunteers and Assistant Inspector-General.
HEADQUARTERS LEFT GRAND DIVISION,
December 12, 1862-10.45 a.m. (Received 1 p.m.)
General BURNSIDE:
Smith's corps all over, except a few regiments; Reynolds crossing his First Division (Meade's); Smith's right rests on the ravine at Deep Creek; Reynolds to be on the left of Smith, line occupying crest of hills beyond the bridges; General Bayard out with his cavalry. Enemy reported to be placing guns on Smith's right. Rifle battery sent for to meet it. Just learned that a free negro reports the enemy in position on the hills with abatis in their front. Ravines intervening impracticable for troops. Troops must march by road.*
[JAS. A. HARDIE.]
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*Not signed; supposed to come from General Hardie.
[DECEMBER 12, 1862.] (Received 2.10 p.m.)
General PARKE:
General Bayard has just returned from a reconnaissance. He was fired upon by a large force-five or six companies of infantry, he says-about 500 yards from the railroad, directly in front of here. The rest of my line in across Deep Run. The infantry and cavalry have communicated with General Sumner. My right corps (Smith's) is in position. Reynolds will be in position in half an hour. Smith's front is more than a mile from the river. Reynolds goes from his left to the river, nearly at right angles to it.
W. B. FRANKLIN,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
December 12, 1862-2.30 p.m.
Brigadier General CHARLES GRIFFIN,
Commanding Division:
GENERAL: The commanding general directs that you do not move to cross the river without further orders.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. KIRKLAND,
Major and Aide-de-Camp.
HEADQUARTERS LEFT GRAND DIVISION,
December 12, 1862-3.15 p.m.
General BURNSIDE:
Reynolds in position. A lull in the firing. Enemy have been firing from batteries in the hills. No harm done. They exhibited twelve guns. On the left enemy's pickets close by ours. Their pickets on Richmond road. Ground between us and batteries represented impracticable; gullies intervene. Abatis visible.
JAS. A. HARDIE,
Brigadier-General of Volunteers.
P. S.-A new battery just opened.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, December 12, 1862. [Received 4.45 p.m.]
Our forces are crossing the river, and thus far without opposition.
A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General.
Major-General HALLECK.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
December 12, 1862-10 p.m.
Brigadier-General HARDIE, or
Major-General FRANKLIN:
General Franklin can have all the artillery he needs from that in position on the bluffs.
A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General, Commanding.
DECEMBER 12, 1862.
General THOMAS J. JACKSON:
GENERAL: Smith reached here before the couriers, or a little past 3.30 p.m. We cannot move till 4 o'clock. Shall I go on all night?
Yours,&c.,
D. H. HILL,
Major-General.
[DECEMBER 12, 1862?]-7.50 p.m.
General D. H. HILL:
GENERAL: You had better encamp for the night, and start at dawn
to-morrow morning, and move to Hamilton's Crossing. The enemy has been moving down the river on this side to-day, and halted nearly opposite Hamilton's Crossing. There is reason to believe that the real attack will be made on our right, and not at Fredericksburg.
Respectfully,
T. J. JACKSON,
Lieutenant-General.
Official Records, Series I., Vol. 21, Part 1, Page 107-110.
Burnside's troops are largely over the river by the end of the day. You get a sense from these communications they were not fully aware of the strength of the Confederate position of their right (Confederate left). Jackson, writing to D. H. Hill at the end of the day believes the attack is coming, but on his position near Hamilton's crossing. Indeed, this was Burnside's original focus, believing if this position was taken it would compromise the Confederate left.
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