I guess if you’re a strongly Democratic party newspaper you have to pretty much criticize everything the Lincoln administration does. After the Battle of Fredericksburg a Seneca County, New York newspaper blasted the Lincoln and his War Department for the slaughter of General Burnside’s army. Burnside actually took responsibility for the defeat and later offered to resign. News hit the wire 150 years ago this week that General Burnside had been transferred to command of the Department of Ohio. A Seneca County newspaper was again critical. In addition to being partisan this might demonstrate the public mindset that the Eastern theater was preeminent.
From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in March 1862:
Burnside’s New Command.
The telegraph announces that major Gen. BURNSIDE has been appointed to succeed Gen. WRIGHT in command of the Department of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and part of Kentucky, This command is of no special importance. It takes Gen. BURNSIDE from the field where his services are so much needed, and places him in a position that could be filled equally as well by officers of less calibre and experience. His headquarters will be at Cincinnati.
My thought would be – after the shellacking at Fredericksburg Burnside might have appreciated a change of scenery.
Cincinnati from Kentucky, c.1848
