Tuesday [December] 16 [1862]

Rain -- Cleared off -- Got regt. in order & cleaned up -- settled -- horse
well -- We sent horses over Sat. last night dark part march muddy --
Army all over & bridges up -- Stragglers crossed thr. water. Loss in
centre sd. to be 1200 -- heavy on left also -- We have n't taken Rebels
but we are out of that bad place -- After breakfast had prayers
visited sick & wounded. 12 oclk bright cool day -- some heavy
guns. Berdans sharp-shooters left in loop-holed houses -- to cover rear --
are said to be captured some of them -- What is the military
result of this affair -- does it tell for or against us -- Did we hold
Lee here -- for any ulterior purpose ? Wrote Henry -- Visited
wounded -- we sent Lt. Rogers & four men under flag of truce to
bury dead -- gave description of R. Mosely & Segt. Townsends grave.

Colonel Hiram Berdan (1824-1893), famous marksman and rifle inventor recruited two regiments of sharpshooters for service in the Union Army. At Fredericksburg they were held in reserve, did not cross the river until the 14th, and were used to cover the retreat of the Union Army.

Lt. Andrew Rogers of Cos. A & F, 25th New Jersey