There  was  already  murmuring  among  the  officers  in
general  and  they  were  not  overcareful  in  what  they
said.  Some  spoke  against  the  administration,  and
sharply  condemned  the  change  of  commanders,  and
openly  expressed  distrust  of  Burnside.  Scraps  of  this
adverse  talk  came  to  his  ears.  The  night  of  the  Monday
in  which  I  was  surveying  Lee's  semicircle,  Burnside
called  to  him  a  number  of  us  subordinates,  field  and
staff.  He  addressed  a  roomful  with  very  pertinent  and
pointed  remarks,  saying  substantially :  "  I  have  heard
your  criticisms,  gentlemen,  and  your  complaints.  You
know  how  reluctantly  I  assumed  the  responsibility  of
command.  I  was  conscious  of  what  I  lacked ;  but  still
I  have  been  placed  here  where  I  am  and  will  do  my
best.  I  rely  on  God  for  wisdom  and  strength.  Your
duty  is  not  to  throw  cold  water,  but  to  aid  me  loyally
with  your  advice  and  hearty  service.  .  .  ."

In  noting  at  the  time  this  conference,  I  said  con-

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Autobiography  of  Gen.  O.  O.  Howard

cerning  Burnside's  address :  "  Solemn,  noble,  manly,
and  Christian  were  his  remarks."

Burnside,  thus  pressed  with  the  shafts  of  bitterness,
having  neither  warm  sympathy  nor  kindly  advice,
steeled  himself  to  leave  everything  to  the  maze  of  bat-
tle and  went  on  to  prepare  the  way  for  the  sacrifice.
Simmer's  grand  division  broke  camp  and  marched
to  convenient  points  for  the  bridges  that  were  to  lead
into  Fredericksburg,  where  the  engineers  proposed  to
push  out  the  pontoons  and  plank  them.
Hooker's  grand  division  was  held  a  little  back  of
Sumner's  for  support;  while  Franklin  moved  his  to  the
lower  crossing.
