bright & cold. Visited hos. Distributed tracts & books. Held
service in P.M. Dr. Blundel here --
Possibly William Blundell, Asst. Surgeon, 5th New Jersey. (1837-1916)
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Sat. Dec. 20 [1862]
Very cold night. Slept very cold. Pity poor fellows
in shelter tents -- bright cold day -- Army quiet -- Most of wounded
sent to Washington. Have some very bad here.
in shelter tents -- bright cold day -- Army quiet -- Most of wounded
sent to Washington. Have some very bad here.
Fri. Dec. 19 [1862]
Buried abt. 230 yesterday they sd heard two heavy guns
on left this morg. -- letter fr. Mr. H. Wrote letters &c our returns
show 8 killed -- 59 wounded -- 18 missg. = 85. Wrote to friends of the killed, etc.
on left this morg. -- letter fr. Mr. H. Wrote letters &c our returns
show 8 killed -- 59 wounded -- 18 missg. = 85. Wrote to friends of the killed, etc.
[Thursday] Dec. 18 [1862]
Fine cold morning. Brigade inspection. Let John visit 22nd Regt.
Was waked up at 12 1/2 last night for detail of 24 men to bury dead
under flag truce -- Lt. Rogers says -- rebels very polite -- buried
624 yesterday -- most had been stripped quite naked -- could recog-
nize few or none. Thot. he saw Sergt Gibson Co. A -- Men sd
were offered 3$ U.S. for a canteen -- Rode with Dr. [Robert M.] Bateman to
hospitals -- Boys glad to see us. quite cold --
Lt. Andrew Rogers, of Cos. A and F, later promoted to Captain
1st Sergent James T. Gibson, Co. A, 25th New Jersey
Was waked up at 12 1/2 last night for detail of 24 men to bury dead
under flag truce -- Lt. Rogers says -- rebels very polite -- buried
624 yesterday -- most had been stripped quite naked -- could recog-
nize few or none. Thot. he saw Sergt Gibson Co. A -- Men sd
were offered 3$ U.S. for a canteen -- Rode with Dr. [Robert M.] Bateman to
hospitals -- Boys glad to see us. quite cold --
Lt. Andrew Rogers, of Cos. A and F, later promoted to Captain
1st Sergent James T. Gibson, Co. A, 25th New Jersey
[Wednesday] 17 Dec. [1862]
Clear -- cold -- rode to hill to see field battle -- visited wounded -- Met
some kind ladies, among the hospitals. Sent off 26 of our wounded
to Washington -- Burnside says -- withdrawal of Army was effect-
ed without loss of men or guns or stores -- without knowledge of
enemy & as military necessity (either to return or fight --
repulse wld. be disasterous -- cld. nt take batteries.
Jackson is Lt. Col. 26 N.J.V.
The Colonel of the 26th New Jersey was Andrew Jackson Morrison (1828-1907) eventually dismissed from the Army by Philip Sheridan for habitual drunkeness.
some kind ladies, among the hospitals. Sent off 26 of our wounded
to Washington -- Burnside says -- withdrawal of Army was effect-
ed without loss of men or guns or stores -- without knowledge of
enemy & as military necessity (either to return or fight --
repulse wld. be disasterous -- cld. nt take batteries.
Jackson is Lt. Col. 26 N.J.V.
The Colonel of the 26th New Jersey was Andrew Jackson Morrison (1828-1907) eventually dismissed from the Army by Philip Sheridan for habitual drunkeness.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
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
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
Mon [December] 15 [1862]
Quiet night ---- except aroused by musketry near us at 1 A.M.
Attended Sergt Townsend's funeral at 9 A.M. buried in box west side of garden
of Jno. Minor house -- nearly So.E. of R. Mosely grave (in next lot.) almost in
line with an ivy covered tree -- 1/2 back fr. St. head to to St -- Caroline St.
The battle Sat. was very severe -- Our loss is now 94 -- K. W. & M. We are
ordered to move all wounded across river. Either bec. we expect them to
shell city or we renew battle. What strange & dreadful wounds.
Talked with wounded -- prayed &c -- Fine pleasant morning -- Our little
cottage has a hole fr. shell right over where we eat & sleep --
The drummers are throwing up bomb casemates at end of garden --
12 noon wrote letters to friends of some of dead -- No action today -- Since
Thurs. morn. we have been in momentary expectation of a general engage-
ment. Sat. we had -- but all rest of time we have been in suspense.
Or food is chiefly bacon -- fried -- griddle cakes without eggs or raising --
& hard tack - 1 P.M. -- just thro dinner & the batteries are opening.
Silent again -- wrote Mr. H. A.G.G. of our brigade has ordered a detail
of men to get crow bars & to loop hole houses --
5 P.M. The fact that our wounded have been removed & surgeons sent over
& loads of furniture & stoves also -- & no attack made today -- & most of
all that our severe attack made really no impression on rebel line --& our
loss is great -- I infer that we may be withdrawn across river tongiht -- &
the loop holes are for sharp-shooters to cover retreat -- But the rebels can
shell us at leisure -- Our batteries can cover us from other bank -- but if
bridge is broken it would be a bad place -- the rebel papers call this spot a
vast slaughter pen -- May God direct & keep us -- a shell just burst in air
near us fr. rebel battery -- tho. no regular firing --
Just got thru. supper when Regt. was ordered to support picket. I left at
Hd. qrs. of 25th Reg. in charge of sick, guards & drummers -- Reported to Col.
[Rush C.] Hawkins about 8 -- he ordered me to move across river -- I called all in
took names put sick in front -- drummers next -- guard in rear -- put spare
muskets in hands of drummers -- put house in order -- left memo. for
Col -- in case he called also a notice to all after comers to preserve place
& furniture as we had -- fastened house up -- formed line & marched
silently down dark st. to turn over to river -- Met our regt. among others
ready to pass over -- Marched to bridge -- Met Col. Dutton's regt. halted at bridge.
Got brigade comd. to let us pass -- got over safely -- counted files halted for sick
& then wandered along in dark for three hours seeking our camp -- at last
made Gen. Sumner's hd.qrs. & reached Camp at 12 1/2. Called roll -- Regt came in
about 1 A.M. turned in very tired -- came on rain & blow. While waiting
orders to cross talked with Corp. Jones -- deeply affected tears & prayers -- perhaps
conviction perhaps fear of enemies shells -- for didn't know but enemy wd.
open on us -- Our army crossed great many regts. lost road. frequent calls
"What regt is that" on way -- Had difficulty in keeping men together -- but all
over safe.
Colonel Arthur H. Dutton (1837-1864) of the 21st Connecticut
Corporal Charles Jones, Co. G. 25th New Jersey
Attended Sergt Townsend's funeral at 9 A.M. buried in box west side of garden
of Jno. Minor house -- nearly So.E. of R. Mosely grave (in next lot.) almost in
line with an ivy covered tree -- 1/2 back fr. St. head to to St -- Caroline St.
The battle Sat. was very severe -- Our loss is now 94 -- K. W. & M. We are
ordered to move all wounded across river. Either bec. we expect them to
shell city or we renew battle. What strange & dreadful wounds.
Talked with wounded -- prayed &c -- Fine pleasant morning -- Our little
cottage has a hole fr. shell right over where we eat & sleep --
The drummers are throwing up bomb casemates at end of garden --
12 noon wrote letters to friends of some of dead -- No action today -- Since
Thurs. morn. we have been in momentary expectation of a general engage-
ment. Sat. we had -- but all rest of time we have been in suspense.
Or food is chiefly bacon -- fried -- griddle cakes without eggs or raising --
& hard tack - 1 P.M. -- just thro dinner & the batteries are opening.
Silent again -- wrote Mr. H. A.G.G. of our brigade has ordered a detail
of men to get crow bars & to loop hole houses --
5 P.M. The fact that our wounded have been removed & surgeons sent over
& loads of furniture & stoves also -- & no attack made today -- & most of
all that our severe attack made really no impression on rebel line --& our
loss is great -- I infer that we may be withdrawn across river tongiht -- &
the loop holes are for sharp-shooters to cover retreat -- But the rebels can
shell us at leisure -- Our batteries can cover us from other bank -- but if
bridge is broken it would be a bad place -- the rebel papers call this spot a
vast slaughter pen -- May God direct & keep us -- a shell just burst in air
near us fr. rebel battery -- tho. no regular firing --
Just got thru. supper when Regt. was ordered to support picket. I left at
Hd. qrs. of 25th Reg. in charge of sick, guards & drummers -- Reported to Col.
[Rush C.] Hawkins about 8 -- he ordered me to move across river -- I called all in
took names put sick in front -- drummers next -- guard in rear -- put spare
muskets in hands of drummers -- put house in order -- left memo. for
Col -- in case he called also a notice to all after comers to preserve place
& furniture as we had -- fastened house up -- formed line & marched
silently down dark st. to turn over to river -- Met our regt. among others
ready to pass over -- Marched to bridge -- Met Col. Dutton's regt. halted at bridge.
Got brigade comd. to let us pass -- got over safely -- counted files halted for sick
& then wandered along in dark for three hours seeking our camp -- at last
made Gen. Sumner's hd.qrs. & reached Camp at 12 1/2. Called roll -- Regt came in
about 1 A.M. turned in very tired -- came on rain & blow. While waiting
orders to cross talked with Corp. Jones -- deeply affected tears & prayers -- perhaps
conviction perhaps fear of enemies shells -- for didn't know but enemy wd.
open on us -- Our army crossed great many regts. lost road. frequent calls
"What regt is that" on way -- Had difficulty in keeping men together -- but all
over safe.
Colonel Arthur H. Dutton (1837-1864) of the 21st Connecticut
Corporal Charles Jones, Co. G. 25th New Jersey
Sun. Dec. 14 [1862]
Slept till daylight -- went to Col. [Rush C.] Hawkins for orders for Col. D[errom]. ordered
to move to river returned to breakfast -- picket firing in front regt now in our
8 1/2.M. Made list of sick & slightly wounded to be sent over river
at 10 1/2 buried Rich. Moseley in garden of house on S.W. cor. of Caroline and
Princess Elizabeth St. rear of Mrs. Widow Philips house head foot of locust
tree close to P.E. St. (Enquire of Mr. Geo. Alex.) visited wounded. Col. just made
list of killed 4 . wounded 55 -- missg 47 = 106 -- killed Andrew Keef Co. A. -- John
K. Frank Co. A -- Ricd. Moseley Co. H. Lewis Kates Co. D. attended funeral
of John K. Frank (buried beside Andrew Keef) in N.E. corner of garden back of
J. S. Caldwell's house in the Main St. (another body is in the same grave with
Keefs). the battle was so in dark that doubtless some of wounded and
dead are on field & can't be reached now. A quiet Sabbath thus far no
fighting -- batteries & skirmishers fired a little in morng Troops in City with
stacked arms. Our regt. came under a front & enfilading fire -- very hot
talked with Capt. Hermance [?] Gen. [Orlando Bolivar] Wil[l]cox's aid an[d] Commander of the Gen. body guard.
Poor Sergt. Townsend died this Eveg. So grateful for everything I did for him.
Visited wounded had prayers -- 9 P.M. all quiet today -- But we know not
what may be on the morrow or even this night. Let the Lord direct it shall be well.
Sgt. Edward L. Townsend, Co. I, 25th New Jersey
to move to river returned to breakfast -- picket firing in front regt now in our
8 1/2.M. Made list of sick & slightly wounded to be sent over river
at 10 1/2 buried Rich. Moseley in garden of house on S.W. cor. of Caroline and
Princess Elizabeth St. rear of Mrs. Widow Philips house head foot of locust
tree close to P.E. St. (Enquire of Mr. Geo. Alex.) visited wounded. Col. just made
list of killed 4 . wounded 55 -- missg 47 = 106 -- killed Andrew Keef Co. A. -- John
K. Frank Co. A -- Ricd. Moseley Co. H. Lewis Kates Co. D. attended funeral
of John K. Frank (buried beside Andrew Keef) in N.E. corner of garden back of
J. S. Caldwell's house in the Main St. (another body is in the same grave with
Keefs). the battle was so in dark that doubtless some of wounded and
dead are on field & can't be reached now. A quiet Sabbath thus far no
fighting -- batteries & skirmishers fired a little in morng Troops in City with
stacked arms. Our regt. came under a front & enfilading fire -- very hot
talked with Capt. Hermance [?] Gen. [Orlando Bolivar] Wil[l]cox's aid an[d] Commander of the Gen. body guard.
Poor Sergt. Townsend died this Eveg. So grateful for everything I did for him.
Visited wounded had prayers -- 9 P.M. all quiet today -- But we know not
what may be on the morrow or even this night. Let the Lord direct it shall be well.
Sgt. Edward L. Townsend, Co. I, 25th New Jersey
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
[Sunday December 14 1862[ 1:40 A.M.
It is now 1.40 -- Sunday morng.
returned to our quarters -- a wounded man is on lounge -- I must try to get
to bed -- with prayer to God for deliverance. I don't know how the battle has turned.
returned to our quarters -- a wounded man is on lounge -- I must try to get
to bed -- with prayer to God for deliverance. I don't know how the battle has turned.
[Saturday December 13 1862] 4 P.M.
It is almost 4 -- Battle very hot in
front -- heavy musketry -- roar & booming -- Our troops bow to the flying
shells -- Co. G has had a man wounded. Indeed several of our men
have been slightly hit. The enemys entrenchments in front are
strong. About sunset an just after our regt. was in I followed
in rear. Shot & shell flew over me. I found a wounded boy
took him to a surgeon -- left him returned to front. twas sd. our
men had carried enemys batteries -- loud talking -- in front just
then a tremendous volley of musketry came. I was near R.R. I fell
flat on this side -- & heard a shower of bullets whiz past & close by
for some minutes -- Our men were falling back -- Our men were
falling back. I returned to wounded boy -- & found one of our Lts.
slightly wounded -- Helped both off -- twas a hard job. I was very tired a
[?] -- reached our house took little supper & returned after looking in at
hospital to field. Jacob with me -- very dark -- found our regt. on R. R. very
cold -- I gave them coffee, went along whole line -- batteries near by but
silent. Regt. ordered back to town -- I went to left -- & saw that all were
awake -- & brot. off -- also some of other regts. one I uncovered thinking
him wounded was dead. The field covered with blankets & haversacks -- I
left field with last of our regt went to hospital found many of our men
some badly wounded -- a fearful, painful sight -- Met. Col. D[errom]. Made list of
wounded -- gave them water, coffee (even whiskey) by direction of Surgeon --
Staid till late helping & comforted them.
hospital to
front -- heavy musketry -- roar & booming -- Our troops bow to the flying
shells -- Co. G has had a man wounded. Indeed several of our men
have been slightly hit. The enemys entrenchments in front are
strong. About sunset an just after our regt. was in I followed
in rear. Shot & shell flew over me. I found a wounded boy
took him to a surgeon -- left him returned to front. twas sd. our
men had carried enemys batteries -- loud talking -- in front just
then a tremendous volley of musketry came. I was near R.R. I fell
flat on this side -- & heard a shower of bullets whiz past & close by
for some minutes -- Our men were falling back -- Our men were
falling back. I returned to wounded boy -- & found one of our Lts.
slightly wounded -- Helped both off -- twas a hard job. I was very tired a
[?] -- reached our house took little supper & returned after looking in at
hospital to field. Jacob with me -- very dark -- found our regt. on R. R. very
cold -- I gave them coffee, went along whole line -- batteries near by but
silent. Regt. ordered back to town -- I went to left -- & saw that all were
awake -- & brot. off -- also some of other regts. one I uncovered thinking
him wounded was dead. The field covered with blankets & haversacks -- I
left field with last of our regt went to hospital found many of our men
some badly wounded -- a fearful, painful sight -- Met. Col. D[errom]. Made list of
wounded -- gave them water, coffee (even whiskey) by direction of Surgeon --
Staid till late helping & comforted them.
hospital to
[Saturday December 13 1862] 1 P.M.
( 1 P.M.) it got too hot for them at
our quarters where we first left them. Cheers now in front --
Soft hazy day -- wind So. W. but little of it. Rebels are pouring heavy
musketry fire into us in front. Shots strike around us. While I go
to walk along lines encouraging men to pray that God would give us
the victory a shell struck Keef Co. A. in face he was sitting just back
of place I had left. Hurried to see him & thence for surgeon, he was
carried on stretcher to hospital, but soon died -- Quite a number
have been wounded near me. Large bodies of infantry have crossed
& recrossed river near us & are now coming back again. Sigel
has come up & is in other side it is said. and Hooker is now crossing
the long column pours down the gorge & over the bridge. We are
steadily gaining I am told. The hulks of old ruined burnt ves-
sels are close by us in river.
Private Andrew Keef [?]
General Franz Sigel was not at Fredericksburg; Butler appears to have heard a rumor.
General Joseph Hooker was in charge of the "Center Grand Division"
our quarters where we first left them. Cheers now in front --
Soft hazy day -- wind So. W. but little of it. Rebels are pouring heavy
musketry fire into us in front. Shots strike around us. While I go
to walk along lines encouraging men to pray that God would give us
the victory a shell struck Keef Co. A. in face he was sitting just back
of place I had left. Hurried to see him & thence for surgeon, he was
carried on stretcher to hospital, but soon died -- Quite a number
have been wounded near me. Large bodies of infantry have crossed
& recrossed river near us & are now coming back again. Sigel
has come up & is in other side it is said. and Hooker is now crossing
the long column pours down the gorge & over the bridge. We are
steadily gaining I am told. The hulks of old ruined burnt ves-
sels are close by us in river.
Private Andrew Keef [?]
General Franz Sigel was not at Fredericksburg; Butler appears to have heard a rumor.
General Joseph Hooker was in charge of the "Center Grand Division"
[Saturday December 13 1862] 12 1/2 P.M.
12 1/2 firing in front -- a body of our skirmishers went fr. house
near us -- deployed -- a shell from rebels struck house at once --
another burst over them -- sharp musketry & cannonadg. in front.
Constant roar & explosion -- A spent shell just fell sissing into river
behind us. As Dr. Bateman & I sat ^'in rocking chair & arm chairs in road in
front of our lines' talking about Xth experience. The balloon is up again.
There goes another shot close by int river. Our horses are grouped by
the gas[?] house -- another shot in river
near us -- deployed -- a shell from rebels struck house at once --
another burst over them -- sharp musketry & cannonadg. in front.
Constant roar & explosion -- A spent shell just fell sissing into river
behind us. As Dr. Bateman & I sat ^'in rocking chair & arm chairs in road in
front of our lines' talking about Xth experience. The balloon is up again.
There goes another shot close by int river. Our horses are grouped by
the gas[?] house -- another shot in river
[Saturday December 13 1862] 10 A.M.
10 A.M. We have moved by left flank to support [William B.] F[ranklin]. heavy cannon --
ading in that direction. Got down on left & halted -- walked
along lines encouraging & talking with men. Our men seem to be
reconstructing R. R. bridge -- a balloon is up nr. Burnsides headqrs.
ading in that direction. Got down on left & halted -- walked
along lines encouraging & talking with men. Our men seem to be
reconstructing R. R. bridge -- a balloon is up nr. Burnsides headqrs.
Sat. [December] 13 [1862] 9 A.M.
Mild quiet morng. 9 A.M. had breakfast & prayer --
good sleep on floor -- am ordered to move shortly to support Franklin --
Major General William B. Franklin's Left Grand Division (I Corps & VI Corps) ?
good sleep on floor -- am ordered to move shortly to support Franklin --
Major General William B. Franklin's Left Grand Division (I Corps & VI Corps) ?
[Friday December 12 1862] 3 P.M.
3 [P.M.] No movement yet. Ate rice
and pig for dinner. Our guns on left bank are now throwing shell over our heads
into enemies entrenchments in front of us. We hear their hurtling rush,
quivering thro' the air & the air over us is filled
with shells & shot. one of ours too low struck a house in our
st. A shell fr. Enemy struck among the 15th Conn. who had not
crossed & wounded 3 men cooking coffee. They were brot over. I
saw them. One had died. Visited a citizen in hospital -- he had been in
cellar all thro bombardment and thinking it over went to bed struck
by shell. he wont recover it is thot. I talked & prayed with him.
Col. Dutton of 21 Conn. is quartered in our house.
Colonel Arthur H. Dutton
and pig for dinner. Our guns on left bank are now throwing shell over our heads
into enemies entrenchments in front of us. We hear their hurtling rush,
quivering thro' the air & the air over us is filled
with shells & shot. one of ours too low struck a house in our
st. A shell fr. Enemy struck among the 15th Conn. who had not
crossed & wounded 3 men cooking coffee. They were brot over. I
saw them. One had died. Visited a citizen in hospital -- he had been in
cellar all thro bombardment and thinking it over went to bed struck
by shell. he wont recover it is thot. I talked & prayed with him.
Col. Dutton of 21 Conn. is quartered in our house.
Colonel Arthur H. Dutton
[Friday December 12 1862] 11 A.M.
Now past 11. reports vary
some say whole rebel force under Lee -- Jackson &
250,00 strong are before us, others say, not
2000 within five miles of us, batteries quiet
at this moment. Makg. a fire saying "The old
fellow" (a maiden lady, by the way) "was very thought-
ful to go away & leave us so much wood
cut up" -- Houses still burning --
almost one P. M. -- rice boiling for dinner.
I am reading Pres. message -- Officers dozing in
dift. rooms, men asleep on street.
In comes Jacob with a young pig, Simon enters
to sharpen knife on chimney. "I expect you'll
all be a set of thiev[e]s when you get home." I said
"We must live you know," says Simon. Doctor R[iley] asleep
on two chairs -- "Doctor we are going to butcher
won't you lend us a hand?" It is really
an advantage that we occupy this house --
for we only use their food & utensils instead
of plundering the place -- we burn their wood
instead of the house, & our presence is really
a guard against depredations of some of the
troops. Retired to small room & had a sweet
season in earnest prayer. May God restore peace
to this distracted land. War is dreadful.
May our unhappy Southern brethren see &
renounce their foolish course & we once more
be one. Geo. has just picked up a vol.
of [?] mag. in St. It will be safer here than
in its own house. Some of the troops are
plundering the City, fine houses are rifled
& furniture wantonly destroyed. Food &
forage & shelter I think they are entitled
to. Saw in one house, a soldier playing piano
& another sitting by him on sofa with his
musket. A third leaning over readg. a spelling
book -- a forth in corner appropriating to his
benefit an old print. Two others in kitchen
bakg. short cake -- floor matted down with
hen feathers & mud. The effect of shot & shell
is curious. Some houses riddled completely.
Shot & Shell lying about roofs & ground ploughed
up by them.
some say whole rebel force under Lee -- Jackson &
250,00 strong are before us, others say, not
2000 within five miles of us, batteries quiet
at this moment. Makg. a fire saying "The old
fellow" (a maiden lady, by the way) "was very thought-
ful to go away & leave us so much wood
cut up" -- Houses still burning --
almost one P. M. -- rice boiling for dinner.
I am reading Pres. message -- Officers dozing in
dift. rooms, men asleep on street.
In comes Jacob with a young pig, Simon enters
to sharpen knife on chimney. "I expect you'll
all be a set of thiev[e]s when you get home." I said
"We must live you know," says Simon. Doctor R[iley] asleep
on two chairs -- "Doctor we are going to butcher
won't you lend us a hand?" It is really
an advantage that we occupy this house --
for we only use their food & utensils instead
of plundering the place -- we burn their wood
instead of the house, & our presence is really
a guard against depredations of some of the
troops. Retired to small room & had a sweet
season in earnest prayer. May God restore peace
to this distracted land. War is dreadful.
May our unhappy Southern brethren see &
renounce their foolish course & we once more
be one. Geo. has just picked up a vol.
of [?] mag. in St. It will be safer here than
in its own house. Some of the troops are
plundering the City, fine houses are rifled
& furniture wantonly destroyed. Food &
forage & shelter I think they are entitled
to. Saw in one house, a soldier playing piano
& another sitting by him on sofa with his
musket. A third leaning over readg. a spelling
book -- a forth in corner appropriating to his
benefit an old print. Two others in kitchen
bakg. short cake -- floor matted down with
hen feathers & mud. The effect of shot & shell
is curious. Some houses riddled completely.
Shot & Shell lying about roofs & ground ploughed
up by them.
[Friday December 12 1862] 9 A.M.
Order is to fall in & stand by Arms ready to take
them at moments notice. Now 9 A.M. fine
winter morng. & all quiet. But doubtless a
bloody day is before us. May God keep
& shield us & give us the victory. We march in abt.
quarter of an hour. Tis sd. women & children are
off abt. 3 miles in woods, but a citizen told
me they were ordered to leave the City two weeks
ago. Saw a poor woman wandering about
"Had broken open her trunk & stole all she had"!
Another man was searchg. sts. for his little girl
9 yrs old wandered away. the batteries
opened ab. 9 A.M. & skirmishers are at work
in front, but troops still rest. Ate short
cake pork & coffee -- quiet now. Men sitting
in rocking chairs around St. fires. they have
secured immense quantities of tobacco. Our
horses stand saddled at door & have all
night. Col. [Andrew Derrom] dozing in rockg. chair & Dr. [Robert M.] Bateman
examining meritis of an improved nutmeg grater
& all waiting the great conflict. Here comes Major
[John K.] Brown asking for fire.
them at moments notice. Now 9 A.M. fine
winter morng. & all quiet. But doubtless a
bloody day is before us. May God keep
& shield us & give us the victory. We march in abt.
quarter of an hour. Tis sd. women & children are
off abt. 3 miles in woods, but a citizen told
me they were ordered to leave the City two weeks
ago. Saw a poor woman wandering about
"Had broken open her trunk & stole all she had"!
Another man was searchg. sts. for his little girl
9 yrs old wandered away. the batteries
opened ab. 9 A.M. & skirmishers are at work
in front, but troops still rest. Ate short
cake pork & coffee -- quiet now. Men sitting
in rocking chairs around St. fires. they have
secured immense quantities of tobacco. Our
horses stand saddled at door & have all
night. Col. [Andrew Derrom] dozing in rockg. chair & Dr. [Robert M.] Bateman
examining meritis of an improved nutmeg grater
& all waiting the great conflict. Here comes Major
[John K.] Brown asking for fire.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Fri Dec. 11 [sic] [1862] ca. 6-7 a.m.
passed a quiet night, no inhabitants
visible, a hungry terrier is in our house, saw
rebel prisoner. we lost 4. (5) men fro. Co. F. pickets --
Lt. Beck Co. A skedaddled it is sd. night before
bombardment. I saw our armorer with his sword
picked up in woods near our camp -- I record
With devout gratitude the safety of the regt. & myself --
thus far. "In every thing -- with prayer" &c -- is a text that
has sustained me. I read & prayed with the
Officers in our house last eveg. remembering the
poor family whose peaceful home is thus invaded.
Adjt. Force has just brot. in abt. $10. worth tobacco
picked up out of river. Our troops been very much
in want of it heretofore. Now abundant.
Walked out, troops are plundering houses, several
houses near us, in flames, no effort to extinguish
them. Men are cooking fresh meat & chickens.
talked with a rebel wounded soldier of Missp. --
lying on sofa in Taliaferro Hunters house, Picked ;up
a shell not exploded & put it away in garden
under bushes a hollow poplar is onflames fire
& sends out a Column of dense brown smoke
like a chimney, very strikg. Conversed with a citizen who
had staid in his cellar & escaped unhurt, tho. the gable
end of his house was blown out by a shell. Men are
regaling themselves on best the City affords, lying
on mattresses on side walk reading London quarterly
& Capt. Stevens walks down steps with a parasol
& spectacles minus glasses -- But alas if rebel
batteries open how changed the scene, strange
they do not -- saw a colored print of Richmond
on a gate or fence -- boys sd. they had taken Richmond.
F. is fine old fashioned city about 5000 inhabi-
tants. The house we stay in is a northern womans
school teacher -- I just put out a Ger. soldier who
was climbing into side window for plunder.
A soldier is now cookg. a short-cake.
Captain Philetus A. Stevens, Co. A, 25th New Jersey
visible, a hungry terrier is in our house, saw
rebel prisoner. we lost 4. (5) men fro. Co. F. pickets --
Lt. Beck Co. A skedaddled it is sd. night before
bombardment. I saw our armorer with his sword
picked up in woods near our camp -- I record
With devout gratitude the safety of the regt. & myself --
thus far. "In every thing -- with prayer" &c -- is a text that
has sustained me. I read & prayed with the
Officers in our house last eveg. remembering the
poor family whose peaceful home is thus invaded.
Adjt. Force has just brot. in abt. $10. worth tobacco
picked up out of river. Our troops been very much
in want of it heretofore. Now abundant.
Walked out, troops are plundering houses, several
houses near us, in flames, no effort to extinguish
them. Men are cooking fresh meat & chickens.
talked with a rebel wounded soldier of Missp. --
lying on sofa in Taliaferro Hunters house, Picked ;up
a shell not exploded & put it away in garden
under bushes a hollow poplar is on
& sends out a Column of dense brown smoke
like a chimney, very strikg. Conversed with a citizen who
had staid in his cellar & escaped unhurt, tho. the gable
end of his house was blown out by a shell. Men are
regaling themselves on best the City affords, lying
on mattresses on side walk reading London quarterly
& Capt. Stevens walks down steps with a parasol
& spectacles minus glasses -- But alas if rebel
batteries open how changed the scene, strange
they do not -- saw a colored print of Richmond
on a gate or fence -- boys sd. they had taken Richmond.
F. is fine old fashioned city about 5000 inhabi-
tants. The house we stay in is a northern womans
school teacher -- I just put out a Ger. soldier who
was climbing into side window for plunder.
A soldier is now cookg. a short-cake.
Captain Philetus A. Stevens, Co. A, 25th New Jersey
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