Frustrated by McClellan’s delays, on November 7 Lincoln replaced him with Ambrose Burnside. Chadwick appeared to be one of McClellan’s admirers; unfortunately no letter of his commenting on this change survives. Burnside accelerated troop movements, shifting the Army of the Potomac to the banks of the Rappahannock across from Fredericksburg. The plan was to assault the town, then press on toward Richmond.
Camp near White Oak Church,
4 miles from Fredericksburg, Va.,
December 10, 1862
Dear Father:-
Yours dated last week and also the week previous have been received. I have occasionally received newspapers which you have sent me.
Yesterday we moved from Brook’s Station to our present locality which is about two miles from the Rappahannock River and distant as above from Fredericksburg. It was generally supposed among the men that we made this move for the purpose of getting near timber so as to go into “winter quarters,” but to-day has dispelled that illusion for we are ordered to have three days’ cooked rations and be in readiness to move on short notice. Twenty additional rounds of ammunition have been issued to each man also. Teams are in readiness to move the pontoon-bridge material down to the river and everything indicates that we shall cross or attempt to cross the Rappahannock at an early date.
There is doubtless another great battle expected for the enemy are still seen in large numbers back of the City of Fredericksburg. Some of their batteries are also to be seen with guns mounted in position and everything in apparent readiness to give us a warm reception when we try to cross.
We will cross in three or four different places as preparations are being made for throwing across as many pontoon bridges; I presume the right wing of the army will cross at or a little above the City of Fredericksburg. As you may recall, we are in the left wing. General Reynolds commands our Corps. He has been made a Major General and it is reported that General Meade who commands our Division has also been made a Major General.
It is true that Deb. Beatty was taken prisoner as was also William Cramer, a son of Cramer in Scrubgrass. They were pickets and were surprised and captured. This happened more than six weeks ago.
I saw our little “Bill” horse a few days since. He is in possession of Major Biddle of the 4th Cavalry who values him at only $500. He is said to be an excellent riding animal and is much larger than I thought he would be.
I saw Everill Chadwick yesterday—he is well. The Rockland and Richland boys are all well.
We have had some quite cold weather—about four inches of snow fell about four days ago and it is not all gone yet. It is very cold at night and clear. In the daytime it thaws some. The roads are bad. They are rough and in many places badly cut up by the army wagons. We could not go more than three or four miles a day were it not that the ground is frozen hard. Many a poor fellow suffers these cold nights as they have nothing to shelter them but a poncho or rubber blanket. I do not see how we can endure a winter campaign as the weather is so changeable.
Tell Mother and Bing and the boys to write soon. Tell Miles that I have not yet received that box.
I am,
Affectionately your son, J. D. Chadwick.
Next posting: December 17, 1012
Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville , PA 16335