Letter
W. M. L. Candler to John Sedgwick, December 15, 1862
HEADQUARTERS CENTER GRAND DIVISION,
Fredericksburg, Va., December 15, 1862.
Major-General CoucH, Commanding, é&e. :
The major-general commanding directs that you commence the withdrawal of your command from this side of the Rappahannock as soon as practicable, beginning with the troops nearest the river, and ending with the pickets and their supports, which will be the last to be withdrawn, and they will not be removed until regularly relieved by General Butterfield’s corps. He directs that the movement be made without noise, and with the utmost dispatch. Have the batteries moved in silence. You can make use of all three bridges in crossing. You are especially requested to give your attention to having the roads on the other side kept clear.
Very respectfully, &c.,
W. M. L. CANDLER,
Captain and Aide-de-Oamp.
HEADQUARTERS FirtH ARMY CoRpPs,
: December 15, 1862—7.30 a. m..
Captain and Aide-de-Oamp.
HEADQUARTERS FirtH ARMY CoRpPs,
: December 15, 1862—7.30 a. m..
Major-General] BURNSIDE:
My DEAR GENERAL: I fear I was misunderstood yesterday, as I
have made use of the expression several times of turning by the left.
What I meant, of course, was to move by our left and turn the enemy's
My DEAR GENERAL: I fear I was misunderstood yesterday, as I
have made use of the expression several times of turning by the left.
What I meant, of course, was to move by our left and turn the enemy's
Editor's Notes
From: Operations in N. Virginia, W. Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, 1862–63. Location: Fredericksburg, Va.. Summary: W. M. L. Candler instructs Major-General Couch to discreetly and swiftly withdraw Union troops from the Rappahannock River, ensuring orderly retreat and road clearance during the 1862 Fredericksburg campaign.
Topics
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 21
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