Near Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 17, 1862
Dear Father:-
Your letter dated the 9th has been received. It found me enjoying good health and the use of my limbs—a privilege that thousands have been deprived of within the past few days.
As you have no doubt learned there has been another severe engagement between the two opposing armies. I will give you a brief synopsis of the movements made and of the battle.
Last Thursday morning at 10:00 o’clock the army was all moving toward the City of Fredericksburg, that is, the entire left wing, the right wing having been in front of the city for some time. The pontoon material had previously been taken up close to the river, and at three o’clock Thursday morning the engineer corps commenced throwing across the bridge right opposite the middle of the city. When they had almost completed it and many men were upon it working, the enemy suddenly came out from behind houses and fences and fired a volley into our men, wounding many and killing some. At this moment Our Batteries which had been stationed all along the bank of the river opened upon that part of the city and kept up a continuous fire for some time, completely demolishing that part of the town. Not much was done on Thursday but to shell every house along the bank of the river in which were concealed the sharpshooters of the enemy who annoyed our men every time they would attempt to lay the remainder of the bridge.
Thursday evening they succeeded in completing that part of the bridges and in getting one across at the extreme left of the town.
Friday was spent in skirmishing through the city, in driving the sharpshooters out of it and in taking quite a number of them prisoners. In the afternoon another bridge was thrown across the river about three miles from the upper one, making three crossings in all.
During the afternoon, our Division with the rest of the left Grand Division crossed the river at the lower bridge, while the main body of Sumner’s Grand Division, the right, crossed the upper bridge.
On Saturday morning as soon as the smoke and mist had blown away, the battle was opened up, as usual, by the Penna. Reserves, on the extreme left of the line. Toward night the battle raged hottest and the cannonading and musketry were terrific indeed. The enemy had every advantage of us having their artillery stationed all along the bluffs and surrounded by redoubts. They also had a line of rifle pits dug. There was no fighting along the center of the line only on the left and right. I can not speak of the engagement on the left from personal observation, but I witnessed the fighting on the right all day from a high bluff on this side of the river where we had a number of heavy guns mounted.
The generals in command say that men never fought better than they did in this engagement, but notwithstanding all this, we were repulsed.
Our loss in killed and wounded is estimated to be about two to one of the enemy. I will name some of our killed and wounded whom you may know: General C. F. Jackson who commanded our Brigade was killed. His Chief of Staff, Capt. Swearingen, wounded and a prisoner; Lieut. C. K. Chamberlin, an Aid de Camp was also wounded; E. W. Davis had his horse shot and several bullet holes through his clothes; A. B. McCalmont’s horse was also shot. In Ridgway’s Company, two of the Mansons are reported killed, also his First Lieut., Brickley. Many of his company are wounded and missing. In [Captain John M.] Clapp’s Company, Dave Krebbs (some relative of Says) was killed; Leslie Say is missing; Grimm of Richland, formerly constable, had both legs taken off; Dan Persing was wounded, and many others. The 10th Regiment suffered severely as usual. Capt. [William] Mayes was * killed. Capt. Smith of Mercer mortally wounded. Lieut. H. J. Howe, Co. I, supposed to be killed. Ed Henderson and a number of others belonging to Co. I are wounded and missing. Some of them probably killed.
Capt. Over is wounded and a prisoner. Mackey skulked away as usual and was not in the fight at all. Coop Cochran was with the company all the time and came out safe again. I do not know what our entire loss is but it is not small.
Burnside said he was not ready to make the attack but that he was compelled to do so or disobey orders. Well, I suppose it had to be so—the “Onward to Richmond” spirit of the people had to be pandered to. The same impatience that caused the removal of one commander has caused the defeat of another. One more sacrifice has been asked for and obtained.
I might have stated that on Sunday night the whole body of troops came back on this side of the river and the pontoon bridges were hauled out on the hills. We are now encamped within cannon range of the enemy’s fortifications. Indeed, they have thrown several shot clear over us.
What will be the next movement?
Hoping to hear from you all, I will close.
Yours affectionately, James.
P. S. When is Joe Ross coming back? Tell Bing to send me a piece of dried calamus in a newspaper.[1] J.
*[Note inserted by transcriber: This Capt. Mayes was Mother’s favorite cousin, son of Henrietta Myers Mayes, and the one for whom the G. A. R. Post in Franklin (PA) is named: The William B. Mayes Post.]
Next posting: December 31, 2012
Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335
[1] Sweet flag, a reedy marsh herb with a pungent root. Over centuries it has been used as a perfume and a medicine.