Wed. [December] 10. [1862]

Fine cold Morng. Our mess tent is pitched in midst
of troops bivouacked in Shelter tents all around us
It is sd. our batteries are to open on enemy today
& we are now within eight miles of front.
Marched at 9 A.M. our regt. leading -- roads rough with
frozen mud -- overtook & pasd numerous camps -- closed in
mass for dinner Col & Major off I took command, broke
into column & marched on -- to tune of coming thru. the rye
As we neared river Col Wright -- Comdg. gave us orders to report
to Col Hawkins -- Gen. we are now under his command. Gen. Gettys
division (& Sumners grand division of Burnsides Army I
suppose) -- encamped about 3 -- on south side of a
wooded slope about 1 mile No. East of Fredericksburg -- while
mess tent was pitching -- I rode over hill to river -- saw Gen.
Sumner & &c. making a reconnaissance of rebels -- went myself
to river bank. Saw city across river, which is partly forzen --
& about size of Passaic at Paterson -- high banks & all bridges
destroyed. Saw rebel pickets distinctly & full view of city
All was as still as Sunday -- under the warm
sun of this Dec. afternoon -- Perhaps tonight or tomorrow
the earth will shake to roar of 300 000 men in battle.
Caught cold yesterday -- felt dull & heavy -- & sick on march --
We hope for fresh meat now -- hard tack & bacon are getting
th tiresome. Heard Gen. Banks has landed at Harrison's
landing with 75000 men -- Burnsides' headquarters is about
half mile So. of us -- We are ordered to have 3 days rations
ready to march at 7. AM tomorrow, taking nothing
but what can carry on horse -- or back -- Move wagons
in two hours -- so as to be away fr. enemy's fire --
if shell us tonight.

Col. called Officers to tent told them we were to
open our batteries at daylight -- in order to divert the
enemy while our troops cross -- we ^'our brigade' to cross the
the second one. All last orders were given
I read 91 Psalm -- spoke few words & prayed


Colonel (later General) Rush Christopher Hawkins (1831-1920) commanded the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division in the IX Corps at Fredericksburg

Brigadier-General George Washington Getty (1819-1901) commanded the 3rd Division of the IX Corps

Major-General Edwin Vose Sumner (1797-1863) "Old Bull Head," commanded the "Right Grand Division" of the army, consisting of his own II Corps and the IX Corps, at Fredericksburg

Major-General Nathaniel Prentiss Banks (1816-1894) was nowhere near Harrison's Landing [and was probably on his way south to assume command of the 19th Corps, Dept. of the Gulf?]

(Ezra J. Warner. Generals in Blue)