Browsing named entities in William Swinton, Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac. You can also browse the collection for December 10th or search for December 10th in all documents.

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William Swinton, Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, chapter 3 (search)
n rear; or, if landing from the Potomac be resisted, those crossing the Occoquan from above to take that resisting force in rear. Both points will probably not be successfully resisted at the same time. The force in front of Centreville, if pressed too hardly, should fight back into the intrenchments behind them. Armed vessels and transports should remain at the Potomac landing to cover a possible retreat. The following reply is in General McClellan's handwriting, dated Washington, December 10, and marked confidential: I inclose the paper you left with me—filled as you requested. In arriving at the numbers given, I have left the minimum numbers in garrison and observation. Information recently [received] leads me to believe that the enemy would meet us in front with equal forces nearly—and I have now my mind actually turned towards another plan of campaign that I do not think at all anticipated by the enemy, nor by many of our own people. George B. Mcclellan. The
William Swinton, Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, chapter 7 (search)
nless the enemy could neither see nor act, it was manifest he might concentrate his force as rapidly as the assailant could defile on the southern bank. Now this remote contingency of a surprise was the sole recommendation of the operation; for, otherwise, the attack of the fortified position behind Fredericksburg was not of a kind to be voluntarily undertaken. It was certainly a slender chance on which to hazard the issue of a great battle: but Burnside boldly accepted the risk. The 10th of December found the preliminary preparations completed, and it was determined to force the passage of the Rappahannock the following day. II. the battle of Fredericksburg. Viewed as a tactical operation, the passage of the Rappahannock at Fredericksburg presented no formidable difficulties; and, indeed, the configuration of the ground is such that it is not in the power of an enemy occupying the south side to present it. On both banks of the stream, and parallel with its course, there runs