Letter
Ambrose E. Burnside to Julius White, July 30, 1864
“HEADQUARTERS NINTH CORPS,
July 30, 1864.
“July 30, 1864. “Brigadier-General WHITE, “Chief of Staff:
“T have no discretion in the matter. The order is peremptory to withdraw. It may be best to intrench where we are for the present, but we must withdraw as soon as practicable and prudent.
“Major-General.” [Indorsement.]
“Division commanders will instruct in accordance with the within dispatch, the officers on the line to consult and determine the time of evacuation. “
By order of Major-General Burnside:
"J. WHITE,
"<Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff."
I sent for my division commanders after sending that dispatch. Feeling confident
that the reports I had received that our people would be able to hold the position
"<Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff."
I sent for my division commanders after sending that dispatch. Feeling confident
that the reports I had received that our people would be able to hold the position
which they then occupied until night, certainly, and feeling that if they were not,
one time for evacuation was about as good as another, I thought it best to have a
perfect understanding as to the method of withdrawal. They came to my headquarters and it was decided that we should dig a trench or trenches from our main
line to the crater, and thereby enable them to withdraw without serious loss. It
one time for evacuation was about as good as another, I thought it best to have a
perfect understanding as to the method of withdrawal. They came to my headquarters and it was decided that we should dig a trench or trenches from our main
line to the crater, and thereby enable them to withdraw without serious loss. It
Editor's Notes
From: Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, Pt. 1. Summary: Major-General Burnside orders the peremptory withdrawal of Union forces from their position, instructing division commanders to coordinate a strategic, trench-assisted evacuation to minimize losses.
Topics
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 40, Part 1
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