Peter L. Dumont
Letters Referencing Battle of Fredericksburg
Camp on Potomac Creek
Sunday Evening, January 11, 1863
Got her letter and one from Breish. Is well,
was on guard all night and day at Gen. Warren’s headquarters. Fried pork
then used grease and cotton rag to make a candle to write by. “Last night
there was a woman by our camp fire all night she was driven by a lot of drunken
soldiers to take refuge in our camp in order to save her person. Believe
me dear Clara for I speak the truth she is the first woman that I have spoken
to in Virginia. She belongs to the 17th Regulars and she is called the daughter of the Regt.”.
Last Thursday the whole 5th Corp went on review, wishes she could see
it: “…such a black field of moving mass I never saw the men were about
fifty abreast and in an oblong column it took them about an hour to pass Gen
Burnside and staff. He sat on his horse with his head uncovered all the
time the old fellow looks just as I expected to see him. He is a good
looking man of about 35 or 40 years of age but there is no hair on the top of
his head but there is plenty around his face to make up for the top of his
head”.
More officers from Utica resigning including
Captain [doge?] of Co. F and Capt Lewis of Co C, Lieut Stanford and Lieut Jones
of C A and Lieut Alden of Co C and Lieut Wilson of Co H. “This I believe
makes 17 or 18 officers that have left us since we left Rome and if they keep
on the same we won’t have any that came with us six months from the time we
left there”. Tell Julia Tom isn’t any better but the doctors think he is
getting better. “…tell Jacob Breishs folks if you see them that I have
sent quite a number of small trinkets home that belonged to him by Lieut
Stanford and he may forget to give them to them I thought they would be
glad to have them. His clothes I took and buried [sic] on account of the
fever in them…”
More talk of attacking Fredericksburgh “but I guess
it is a camp runner as usual. Dear Clara how much I dream of you and home
of late I see little ida in my dreams almost every night oh god how long I am
afraid it will be before I hear her little Pratling [sic] tounge [sic] and the
Tip tap of her little feet again. I see now that I am away from you all
how dearly I loved you. Oh I pray god stop this horrible work of death
and let us return to those we love and who are anxiously watching for our safe
return. Dear Clara if god spares my life to return once more to you I
mean to live a better man. I see the effects of this war so much every day
that it has impressed my mind with a horrible sickness of it god grant that it
will soon end all the soldiers down here sick enough of Fighting to stop on any
terms.” Closing, then p.s. hoping they will be paid off the 15th of the month.
Camp at Warington
Thursday November 16th
1862
Feeling
pretty good again after the march. Writing by candlelight. Orders
to move, possibly tonight. “Jackson is in our rear with a lot of men to
attack us and if we don’t leave to night we will have to go in the
morning.” Busy with inspection and drilling all day, no time to wash
clothes. “I don’t know where we will go from here the talk is we are
going to attack the Rebels they say we are entirely surrounded by them so I
thought I must write to him.” Fletch is cooking their rations to take
with them, has no money left for postage.
“Dear
Clara god onley [sic] knows how I love you and my little ones keep good care of
them and yourself until I see you al again which I hope above all things to do
so hopeing gods blessing rests upon you all I will bid you all good by for the
present. Excuse my hasty writing. From yours fondly and truly now
and forever god helping me. Yours P.L.D”
[no location noted, marched from Warrington
closer to Fredericksburgh]
Thanksgiving Day November
27th 1862
Was
sick again, getting better. Marched nearer to Fredericksburgh and now
only 5 miles from the enemy. “I suppose I have gotten a pretty hard cold
and have got the Ereysyplius [?].” Tom and Fletch led him to the hospital
blind and with his head swollen twice its natural size, couldn’t see his
eyes. Getting sight back. “We have had a great deal of wet weather
down here and the north is losing more men by lying on the cold wet ground than
they will lose in battle.” Can see Rebel camps and General Lee is in
sight with 140 thousand men and won’t leave Fredericksburgh, has sent away
women and children. Pioneers have gone ahead to fix the roads to haul
cannon down to shell them out. Resignations include “Capt Cone and Lieut
Smith of Co F Lieut Trueax of Co C and Lieut Wicks of Co R. Lieut
Stanford is now in charge of the ambulance train and feels big over it because
he has a horse to ride. Marched over 100 miles from Washington because
they took a round about way. “You must know it was a hard one for me
because I could never walk much I think the men will make good pack pedlars
[sic] if they ever get home again”. He was lying in the hospital this
morning when the mail came and he ran out and was disappointed not to get a
letter from her. “I don’t know whether I shall be well enough to go in
the fight when they get ready or not I will tell you the truth I have not seen
what I could call a well day since I have been down here and what is more I
don’t think I ever shall there is something down here that don’t agree with me
at all I am all broke out I spots just the same as at Camp Seward”.
Hasn’t done duty there or here. The least cold lays him up.
“To
day we have got crackers and salt pork for dinner and they are all talking and
wondering what you have got good to eat at home.”
Camp at Fredericksburgh VA
Sunday November 30th 1862
Got
her letter and sorry to hear she is working so hard on military coats.
Getting better. Many in hospital. So lonesome on this Sunday. Wrote
a letter for Tom. Dreamed he was home in the garden picking something for
her to make soup and hurt his knee, pain woke him up and he was so disappointed
to be in tent. She had mentioned her letters might sound cold but he says
they do not. Wishes he hadn’t said some things to her but he loves her so
much and his only regret is that his position in life hasn’t allowed him to do
better by her. Reminisces about children and tears come to his eyes:
“Poor little Ida how she used to run for her Bonnet when I went for my Cap
Bless her little pimpim [sic] face.”
“There
is not any more news here at present worth telling onley [sic] some of them say
the reason why we are lying still so long is that there is so many Peace
Runners around and they think they will settle this war I hope to god it is so
and then we will all come home again and live Happy and Contented.”
“P.S. I am glad to think that Pa did not come down here”.
Camp near Fredericksburgh VA
Monday December 8th 1862
Snow storms, bitter cold,
frozen canteens while on picket.
Couldn’t write because shivering too much. He is well but had a fever and most have a cold. Notes from
Fletch and Tom to family at home.
Tom feels better than ever.
Rumors of going home vs. marching, or if give up pay can go home. He would go home. Shelter tents “are no better than a
couple of pocket handkerchiefs”.
Much Peace talk but also say going tomorrow to Acquia Creek. Please send stamps and envelopes. He worries about her keeping warm “in
the old castle”. Wants to know how
the cabbages came out and if “the old methodist didn’t try to cheat you of of
them.”
Camp at Falmouth half a mile from Fredericksburgh
December 12th 1862
Well except back hurting a
little. Got letters from her and
Joey. Witnessed 2 days of shelling
Fredericksburgh and “sot it all on fire”, some troops crossed the river after
dark and had an engagement with musketry until about 7 o clock. Trying to cross today and rebels are
shelling the towns to keep them from landing. The 57th and 66th NY were badly cut up
this morning. He and Fletch went
to Falmouth to buy something to eat but shells were flying and they had to run
to camp. Describes battle with
Rebels firing first on men who were laying pontoon bridge. Thinks he will have to cross the river
tomorrow. Asks her to care for the
children if he falls in battle and she has to bring them up fatherless. Tell family his last thoughts will be
on all of them. Tell Julia Tom is
well but feels bad he may never see her again. Describes how awful it is to see “the shells and cannon to
work at the destruction of human life”.
P.S. Fredericksburgh is
still on fire and cannonading at 6 PM.
Camp at Falmouth 2 miles from Fredericksburgh
Tuesday December 16th 1862
Sixth day of fight at
Fredericksburgh, horrible sights but he hopes it will make a better man of him,
looking higher than earth and hopes to make his peace with God. Details battle starting from Saturday. “We then laid down on the battle field
for the night and oh the dead and the cries of the wounded made me feel sick
enough of war to never see any of it.”
Dead were all around and wounded passing through. Sunday shelling and Co I [?] Grimley
was only one wounded. Col took
them further house and they laid behind brick houses. Laid under fire 3 days. 146th escaped pretty well.
Went out 8 or 9 last night
to dig entrenchments and at 4 AM made a grand retreat. Whole army is back on this side of the river. Enemy has possession of town, gave 10
hours to remove wounded. “Gen
Hooker had said that this is the 2nd Sebastipol [?] and that it was
awful to place men in front of such Formidable works as the Rebels have got
behind Fredericksburgh.” Describes
dead and terrible slaughter.
Almost impossible to take Rebels because so many rifle pits.
“Dear Clara when you read
this don’t think that I am weak but you know that I always was tender hearted
and I cant stand such scenes…” Asks her to bring up children well if he dies
and wishes all well. P.S. not much
fighting today, talk of being paid off after this fight. Tom is sick with diarrhea.
Camp near Potomac Creek VA
Thursday December 18 1862
Describes horrors of battle
of Fredericksburgh and retreat: “Our
Regt they say was the last one out of the City and so of course they must of
covered the Retreat. I think if
the Boys had of known of it at [sic- missing word?] time there would of been a
great deal of Excitement amongst them. “
Because they had laid in the city so long and saw so much without
participating in it they were especially upset. “Our Col was heard to say he would not lead them in the
field for anything they was so excited he was afraid he could not command
them.” Describes how they didn’t
go into battle immediately even though he thinks they were ready. They were the next in line to go but
the firing stopped and they withdrew under cover of darkness. In the morning the shelling started and
they fell back in the town behind brick houses. Describes lying there Sunday and Monday expecting to go into
battle in any minute. Describes
building trenches at night with everyone whispering. Describes retreat.
“I for one Dear Clara with some others which brought up the Rear guard
was about the last that left the City We lost our Regt and we did not know that
we were Retreating and we was running all over the City after our Regt so when
we came to the Bridge they was tearing them up. I saw when I left the town a great many soldiers yet in town
which had stragled [sic] from their Regts”. Has heard the Rebels took a thousand prisoners.
Asks about the children and
if Willie is as fat as ever and walking yet. Fletch got a letter from home and says to tell all he is
well and safe. Fletch found a new
overcoat in the street that is splendid and he is going to send it home. Peter will send a “secesh letter” which
is worth something because it is from the Rebs.
Camp near Potomac Creek VA
Friday December 16th [sic- should be 19th?]
1862
Sketch he started of the
bombarding of Fredericksburgh while it was happening but they got ordered
across the river and he couldn’t finish it. They are under marching orders, some say back into
Fredericksburgh, others say back towards Washington. He doesn’t think going back because old guns were replaced
with new Springfield rifles and all sick and crippled were sent off to the
General hospital including Tom and George Wheeler went with him. He doesn’t know where that is but some
say Washington. “But the men don’t want to fight any more some of the Regulars
are getting paid off.”
Says he can tell she didn’t
keep her word to write every Sunday, feels bad she is lonely “but where is
lotty and malley they cant all be going”. Many received food boxes and everything was spoiled,
would like a box but she had better wait.
All hope to go home in the Spring.
Can’t wait to see her and dreams of little Ida almost every night.
Perhaps she will never hear from him again if they go into a fight.
Camp on Potomac Creek 4 miles from Fredericksburgh
December 20 1862
Great many sick and dying of
exposure, cold and wet. Tell Julia
Tom is pretty sick with the Bloody Disentary [sic] but is getting better. Peter is feeling better than he has
since he’s been there except for the cold weather. “I cant stand the cold weather like I used to”. Has a fireplace inside the tent
now. Doesn’t hear anything about
renewing the battle at Fredericksburgh.
“There is going to be a
general Court Martial in our Regt on the acount [sic] of deserting in front of
the Enemy”. Names Tom Kirkland (no
one has seen him) and Mike Keating (left but came back). “I was coward enough but I wouldent [sic]
have the name if I had got killed in the Battle yes I and fletch stood ready to
go anywhere but either one of us would of rather been somewhere else…We are
expected to be paid off every day since the fight and we haven’t got it yet I
have got fifty cents left and I think that will do me untill [sic] I get paid
off.”
Hasn’t heard from her,
thinks she doesn’t write as much as she used to, begs her to write. Asks if she will have enough
money: “…tell our folks I think
they are very kind for giving away to let us in the house and not asking any
more for it than they do”. Hasn’t
heard from father or Bill. “…tell
me if the Children grows any and if Ida and Charley has such times as they used
to have if they do I think it will try your Paitience [sic]”. Asks her to take care of herself: “I would not want to see you Worn out
to a shadow”. Tell Sarah Groff [?]
she may thank the Lord that her Jake never came with us, he misses the poor
fellow very much and thinks he’s better off.
Camp on Potomac Creek near Fredericksburgh
December 23 1862
Tells her how much he counts
on her letters, loves her, “I am glad now that I am placed amongst Dangers that
I can look back and see how Peaceful and Quiet we have lived together and
enjoyed each others society so long without trouble and strife”. Almost as warm as summer. Everyone is hoping for a Christmas box
but he doesn’t know what to say because some boxes have sat in Washington for
six weeks. Buried two more
comrades with proper boards telling their name and age.
“We heard on dress Parade
the Punishment some of our Boys has got to take that was Court Martiald [sic]
on November 30th they have got to cary [sic] a log weighing 30
pounds for 30 days from morning until [sic] night and forfeit 5 dollars of
their Monthly Pay for 3 months because they dident [sic] turn out on Review on
the 26 of last month there was some 6 or 7 of them but thank the Lord Dear
Clara I am not one of them”.
Tom is doing better but wishes for letters from home. “Dear Clara I wonder if they talk as
much about Peace at home as they do here in Camp we are all the time talking about
Peace down here but don’t seem to be settleing [sic] it very fast. Rumor that they might go to Alexandria
for winter quarters. Rumors of
peace vs. fight “keep up a Perpetual Excitement”. Asks about children and family, for her to kiss the little
ones often and tell them he is coming home so they won’t forget him.
Camp near Fredericksburgh
December 25 1862
Chrismas after Dark
By Candle Light
Has been on guard all day
since last night. His health is
good but Tom is not any better.
The weather was like summer.
They had fresh beef and whiskey for Christmas, he ate the beef but
traded his whiskey for tobacco.
Most others got the day off and could walk around at will visiting. Buried 5 more comrades and thinks there
will be many more. He saw Ed Lomis
for the first time since Fredericksburgh and he looks so bad he doesn’t think
he’ll make it. It seems hard to
see so many die when they could be sent home to recover. “ There seems to be some kind of
disease here that takes a person very sudden and I don’t beleive [sic] the
docters [sic] understand it or how to cure it one and all agree that it is so much
exposure to this kind of weather”. Sending her two more drawings he made “a day or
two ago by myself they represent the Places I made them for to life.” Says he sent a number before and
she never mentions them so he doesn’t know if she got them but please save them
until he gets home.
While writing another man
died in the hospital and three deserters were brought in by the Provo guard,
including Edgar Davis of their company who deserted about a month ago. Hank Baker is very sick with fever. He has written 6 or 7 letters since the
Battle of Fredericksburgh and gotten none from her. Gives love to all and wishes them a merry Christmas.
Camp on Potomac Creek VA
December 28 1862
Most are sick with colds and disease.
Fletcher got a letter from his brother David saying that no one has heard from
the Regiment since the Battle of Fredericksburgh and he assumes she hasn’t
gotten any of his letters and he hasn’t heard from her in so long. Tell
Julia that Tom is improving slowly. Today another is buried from Company
F “but I don’t know his name there is so many dying here that it would take
most all of ones time to keep track of them Poor Ed Lomis I don’t think will
ever see his Sarah again he is most gone…out of eight-hundred and sixty men
that we drawed rations for at Camp Seward we now have five hundred and sixty
that we draw rations for and the number is diminishing very fast ever day we
have not got an officer that we enlisted under in Utica in our Company…. Second
Lieut Durgee of Company I has been appointed over Lieut Jones in our Company as
Captain and the orderly Sergeant of Company E has been promoted in Lieut
Stanfords Place”. Describes more about Jones and Stanford. Nine promotions
in the Regt but none in the Company. Everyone feels bad the officers they
enlisted under are gone but “we can safely lay the blame on Capt Cones
shoulders if he had staid with us as he agreed” they would hae all their
officers and be better off. They end up being assigned to the Center of
the Regiment instead of on the right. “I heard yesterday morning that the
Col had reported us unfit for Duty at head Quarters we are drilling on guard
duty what little we drill now and the soldiers think we are going somewhere on
guard duty”. “I send you some drawings of Camp life keep them for me the
tent on the left is the kind that we now live in.”
Camp on Potomac Creek
Sunday Evening, January
11, 1863
Got
her letter and one from Breish. Is well, was on guard all night and day
at Gen. Warren’s headquarters. Fried pork then used grease and cotton rag
to make a candle to write by. “Last night there was a woman by our camp
fire all night she was driven by a lot of drunken soldiers to take refuge in
our camp in order to save her person. Believe me dear Clara for I speak
the truth she is the first woman that I have spoken to in Virginia. She
belongs to the 17th Regulars and she is called the daughter of the
Regt.”.
Last
Thursday the whole 5th Corp went on review, wishes she could see
it: “…such a black field of moving mass I never saw the men were about
fifty abreast and in an oblong column it took them about an hour to pass Gen
Burnside and staff. He sat on his horse with his head uncovered all the
time the old fellow looks just as I expected to see him. He is a good
looking man of about 35 or 40 years of age but there is no hair on the top of
his head but there is plenty around his face to make up for the top of his
head”.
More
officers from Utica resigning including Captain [doge?] of Co. F and Capt Lewis
of Co C, Lieut Stanford and Lieut Jones of C A and Lieut Alden of Co C and
Lieut Wilson of Co H. “This I believe makes 17 or 18 officers that have
left us since we left Rome and if they keep on the same we won’t have any that
came with us six months from the time we left there”. Tell Julia Tom
isn’t any better but the doctors think he is getting better. “…tell Jacob
Breishs folks if you see them that I have sent quite a number of small trinkets
home that belonged to him by Lieut Stanford and he may forget to give them to
them I thought they would be glad to have them. His clothes I took
and buried [sic] on account of the fever in them…”
More
talk of attacking Fredericksburgh “but I guess it is a camp runner as
usual. Dear Clara how much I dream of you and home of late I see little
ida in my dreams almost every night oh god how long I am afraid it will be
before I hear her little Pratling [sic] tounge [sic] and the Tip tap of her
little feet again. I see now that I am away from you all how dearly I
loved you. Oh I pray god stop this horrible work of death and let us
return to those we love and who are anxiously watching for our safe
return. Dear Clara if god spares my life to return once more to you I
mean to live a better man. I see the effects of this war so much every
day that it has impressed my mind with a horrible sickness of it god grant that
it will soon end all the soldiers down here sick enough of Fighting to stop on
any terms.” Closing, then p.s. hoping they will be paid off the 15th
of the month.
Camp near Falmouth VA
Friday, January 30th, 1863
Received
the box she and Julia sent in good order but can’t send anything to
Tom. He took all his things out except half the turkey and nailed it back
up and brought it to the doctor who said there was no sense in sending it
because it might be sent half way then sit for six months. He got to have
a long talk with the doctor who said “Tom went away from here with the remitant
Fever and was turning in the Typhoid and if he got over that down here in this
climate he would be lucky and his chances were better for going home than if he
got over it than they were for coming back here again”. Apologizes
repeatedly to Julia: “I would rather he would have them all if I could onely
[sic] get them to him than ever taste a bit myself rather than ever be blamed
afterwards the things are all in the box nailed up yet except my part hoping
that I will yet get a chance to send it to him but I think I will risk that
money in a letter to him tomorrow.”
Got
six inches of snow but won’t trouble her with his troubles because she probably
has enough of her own. He is very healthy now. “We got paid off
last night after dark and I will send you 40 dollars in allotment Papers one of
them is from my tent mate mr Joseph Corrigan and he wants you should keep it 6
or 7 days or untill [sic] his aunt Mrs. Margaret Corrigan calls for it he will
write for her to come there and get it. She is in Clayville and he thinks
it is the best way to get it. Toms money cant be got now they tell me
untill [sic] next Pay day with them Checks I send by Mr Deming. I also
send a [Port monic?] taken from Frederickburgh [sic] with some catriges [sic]
and musket caps”. She can take the check to the bank, the money he had
coming was 30 dollars and 30 cents so she can see he has 10 dollars left,
discusses other money. Lengthy closing.
Camp near Falmouth VA
January 31st, 1863 (letter
says 1862)
Replying
to letter he received from her last night although he wrote yesterday.
Went early this morning to the Colonel and applied for a pass to go to Acquia
Creek and this time was not refused. “I shall start early tomorrow
morning to go there if I am well and alive although it be a hard days work for
me I guess I can stand it I suppose it is about 30 miles there and back and
such going as it is now will make it seem like fifty so you can tell Julia that
Tom shall have his things after all I have put the things in 2 haversacks and
one on each shoulder I will go trudgeing [sic] along through the mud.”
Has sent back 2 checks by Mr. Deming, one for Joseph Corrigan his tent mate for
his aunt Miss Margaret Corrigan, and a pocket book with musket caps and
cartridges taken at Fredericksburgh.
“This
morning I was made a fourth sargent [sic] in our Company so you see I will be
releived [sic] from a great deal of Extra Duty besides getting More Pay my
wages now are 17 dollars a month. I am sorry you feel so bad every time
there is talk of a Battle although I suppose you cant be blamed for it if it
had not of been for the mud I think there would have been a great many of us
slaughtered by this time but keep up your Courage and Hope for the Best.
Gen Hooker has not been in any Engagement lately at all and I cant see what the
Papers took it from and you spoke about fletch and the Barber Business tell
Sarah I have not bought any of them tools and he fletch Denies the Statement of
saying he wanted six dollars for them he has not sold them to anybody although
most of them is gone I can’t say where we never went into the Barber Business
at all because we never had time.”
Camp near Potomac Creek, VA
Monday March 23th, 1863
[rough sketch of eagle with banner]
Thinks they are on the verge of a Battle because
they’ve been ordered to be ready with 8 days of rations. Every one who
didn’t have a knapsack has been ordered to get one and carry his grub on his
back with no tents or clothes and take nothing but a blanket. “There is
no wagons going with us and but two pack mules to cary [sic] the Officers
things. This morning the Docter [sic] would not excuse anybody he has
ordered one man that walks on crutches his name is bright to report for
duty. We have got lots of cripels [sic] some of them pretty bad and they
have all been put in the ranks again. Some say they are going to
Fredericksburg. “…excuse this short letter oh my Dearest and onley [sic]
one on Earth that I love. I shall Confide the keeping of you and my
little ones in the care of god and if it is the lot that god has set aside for
me to be shot on the filed of battle then try and live a true and Christian
Wife and bring our children up in the fear of the Lord I pray every night just
before I go to sleep for your welfare and safe keeping…”Continues
closing. Says his arm hurts from being vaccinated.
Camp near Potomac Creek, VA
Wendsday [sic] March 25th, 1863
Still in old camp but thinks they are preparing to
move. Having inspection today and every man has to carry 40 rounds of
cartridges. “Last night our picket line was attacked all over the long
[Road?] was beat and troops were sent out to strengthen the lines to night but
none of us were into it our Col laid awake all night last night our Officers seem
to be afraid of some thing…. My opinion is that Lees men will fight us for a
little while at Fredericksburg and then fall back on Richmond and then I think
we will have to follow him up and when we have got as near there as they want
us to get they will show us what they want that is to coax us near Richmond and
then send a heavy force in our rear and Destroy the Rail Road and cut off our
suplies [sic] and fight us from both sides and then hurah [sic] for another
great Union Victory . I tell you I don’t Predict the future very often
but if Joe Hooker crosses the Rappahanock River with the intention of taking
Richmond mark my words if they dont come true strategy has been their plan of
fighting all the time and they will use it now they used it at Fredericksburg
[sic] with good success and our Generals couldent [sic] see it”. Some of
their boys went out on picket to fill up a Brigade that was “defisient [sic]”,
eight out of each Company. “We heard how Demming went home and reported
our Regt the Dirtiest and the Lousiest one in the service and more he has
reported us totally demoralized and I don’t believe they are any more lousey
[sic] than some other Regs down here and as for being Demoralized it is the
feeling of all the men in the armey [sic] they would all gladly come home if
they could. He has just come into camp and the Boys hooted and holered
[sic] after him awful. “
They have just been ordered for the first time that
no one is to leave camp without the permission of the Commander. They act
as if the Rebs are close. Lengthy romantic, religious closing.
George Bates has just heard that his mother is dead “he feels awful bad for
such a wild fellow”.
Camp near Potomac Creek, VA
Thursday April 9th, 1863
Is well, in same Camp, no more rumors of
moving. “There will be a grand move I think before we hardley [sic]
expect it we had that Grand Review By Abraham Lincoln last Tuesday they say
there was 80 thousand troops present we were on the Banks of the Rappahanock
and The Rebels were on the other side of it drawn up in line of Battle. I
suppose they thought we were going to Attack them they lay Behind Frederickburg
[sic] thick as Ever to judge by their Camps they fired two guns to let us now
that they were awake. Fredericksburg looks forsaken and Dingy Enough now
from a distance what a thing this war is Fredericksburg once a thriveing [sic]
and well Established City and the oldest one they say in the United States now
lies almost Desolate and in Ruins and such marks the tracks of the armey [sic]
all over Vigrinaia look where you will nothing meets the Eye But Ruins &
Desolation where Houses stood nothing remains but Chimneys to tell there Ever
was any and their Occupants have gone mostly all in the Rebel army except the
women and Children and they have gone Here and there no one knows Where god
help them if they had any influence in Creating this Monstrous Rebelion [sic]
for now I think they suffer almost Everything I have seen when we were out on
picket some of the little log Houses and their inmates suffering almost
Everything little Children scarcely old Enough to know what we were doing down
Here were in almost a state of nakedness and in want of something to allay
their Hunger poor little things how I did pity them when they would come
todeling [sic] through the snow their little bare feet looking like Coals of
fire and asking for Hard tacks to stop their hunger who could refuse that had
any bit of human feelings left. I for my part could of given mine willingly
and gone without myself just to see them Eat. I hope Dear Clara never to
hear or see you or my little ones suffering as I see them here. But my
telling you of it wont [sic] help it a mite so I will stop.”
“Tomorrow we are to have a grand muster to see how
strong the armey [sic] of the Potomac is. We are expecting to be paid off
every day But the pay master Doesent [sic] seem to get along yet we have had a
sutter [?sic] here for about 3 weeks and the most of the Boys have spent their
money before they even got in getting orders on the Captains if I felt like it
I might make a good deal of money in making them pictures such as I sent
home. I have made a good many of them already some offer me 50 cents
apiece to make them and they will pay me on pay day. I have got some
money comeing [sic] in that way now I have to mark laurel root for almost the
whole Regt to whittle on there is some one running to my tent all the time and
I am getting tired of it it is all work and no pay”. Closing.
P.S. written sideways over text of page 4: “Liet Col White of the 117 was
here this afternoon I haven’t learnt whether the Regiment has come or not we
Expect them all the time”