Henry W. Halleck to Abraham Lincoln, December 14, 1862

December 14, 1862—4 a.m. (Received 4.30 a. m.) I have just returned from the field. Our troops are all over the river We hold the first ridge outside the town, and 3 miles below. We hope to carry the crest to-day. Our loss is heavy—say, 5,000. A. E. BURNSIDE, Major-General. The PRESIDENT. (Copy to General Halleck.) HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TH’E Potomac, December 16, 1862—4 a.m. (Received 4.15 a. m.) I have thought it necessary to withdraw the army to this side of the viver, and the movement has progressed satisfactorily thus far. A. E. BURNSIDE, 5 B B—VOL XXI Wak DEPARTMENT, Washington, December 16, 1862. Major-General BURNSIDE, Falmouth, Va. : The President desires that you report the reasons of your withdrawal as soon as possible.

H. W. HALLECK,