Burnside, Ambrose Everett (1824-1881) to William Buel Franklin
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02455.02 Author/Creator: Burnside, Ambrose Everett (1824-1881) Place Written: Fredericksburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 December 1862 Pagination: 1 p. ; 11.5 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Orders written the morning of the Battle of Fredericksburg. Burnside is "this moment preparing orders for you," and tells Franklin to "Make no movement except for defense until they arrive." Also hopes "to be with you this morning." Franklin was in charge of a large portion of the army during this assault. After the bloody Union defeat, accused Franklin of disobeying orders and blamed him for being partly responsible for the Union defeat. Burnside demanded that Lincoln either remove Franklin and a number of other officers or relieve Burnside of his command. Lincoln chose to replace Burnside, but even though Franklin was not removed, his military career was ruined by these events.
William Buel Franklin
Dec 13th 1862.
Genl Franklin
I am this [struck: moment] moment preparing orders for you. Make no movement except for defense until they arrive. I hope to be with you this morning.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.