[from the diary of John Ward of the 102nd Pennsylvania]

Dec 19th Friday
camp neres
Ball Planes

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12913

[from the diary of Captain William F. Hunter, Co. B., 975h Ohio]

 Dec. 19th, ’62.
Weather fair & warm.
Knee better. Brigade
drill this P.M.
                   
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

 MSS 10547-bm

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, former musician and private in the 23rd OHio]

This morning
called at Dr Horns &
Hamiltons & McClarys
Left -We [?] by
Lanes Hack about 10 Oclock
had two lady passengers
Crossed the river to
late to get a train
hence had to remain
until evening
Miss Blackstone came
over & I went with
her as far as Stubensville
Went to the Hotel left
my bagage there went
to the Dinsmores  Saw
Ella Dinsmore & [Lulie?] Hayes
Left on the 8 Oclock train
Lay over night at
Wellsville Cloudy Cold

MSS 10317

[from the diary of Matthella Page Harrison as transcribed at a later date]

Friday, December 19th–Today I returned from a delightful trip to Richmond, accom-
panied by Fez and Kate Conrad.  Found my darlings well and trust I am thankful for
it.  Last Thursday commenced the bloody struggle at Fredericksburg.  God has again
given us the victory over them.  We went to the battlefield at Wiers Cave.

MSS 9759

[from the diary of Mary S. Boydon of “Hopedale,” Albemarle County, Va.]

Friday 19th  Father had a talk with Raleigh about
the letter–R. said that he found when he got
into the woods that he had lost the letter
& went back to get it–when he found it the
stamps were off the outside, & he tried to
open it to put on the stamps that were inside, but he
found he could not do it without tearing
the letter (as he did) so he tore the whole
up-not being brave enough afterwards to tell father
the why he tried to open it–Father  said he
gave him a lesson he would never forget
Precious boy,God grant it! He never seems
so precious to me as today–We were alone
for some time, & he showed me more affection
than ever before–I had no idea how very
dearly I love him, spite of his faults–It
is a strange feeling too, for somehow I seem
to have less confidence in him than any of the
rest of the family have–But when he is with
me I feel happy spite of the great anxiety I
feel for him–I think God will hear my
prayers on his account–I had  no opportunity
to speak with him to day–O God, strengthen me,
I beseech thee!  John Lewis is better today-we
hope he will have only a slight attack of the
fever, as it must be-May it be blessed to
him! Letter from Fanny, saying  she will
come home on Monday next-Father went
to Charlottesville today–

MSS 4208

[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]

Friday the good news has reached us that the Battle of Fredericks
-burg has been fought & won, a letter written on the 16th P M
Tonight those of our victorious troops that escaped unharmed
from Battle bullet & disease, rest quietly & confidently on their well
earned Laurels.  Whilst nearby, if not quite all of our wounded are
in comfortable quarters in Hospitals in Richmond–Many a
brave spirit sealed his devotion to our cause by the sacrifice of
his life on this glorious but fatal field–Fredericksburg is a
gain in our possession the Yankees having evacuated it
Their departure giving unmistakeable evidence of panic & haste
About the tow was found large numbers of Guns-Knapsacks, haver
sacks, crackers, salt, pork, & at least one hundred thousand rounds of
good cartridges-They also left behind them in & about the town at
the very least, some six hundred of their dead-& 20 of their wounded
were left behind–Intelligent Citizens of Fredericksburg say that the
Yankees admit a great defeat & loss during the whole engagement
Beginning at the passage of the river & ending with Saturdays great
fight of 15000–It is also said on reliable authority that the Yankee
officers were anxious to renew the fight on Sunday but that the
men were demoralized & could not be gotten up to the mark–Some of the
prisoners confirm the report that bayonets & Sharp shooters were
used in forcing up the men to the terrible work on Saturday &
they further say they were threatened with the fire of their own Bat
-teries should they falter-& Whiskey rations were freely supplied the
Yankees previous to going into battle.  But all this was to no purpose.
The wanton destruction to preparatory in town can neither be imagined
or described–All that was edible has been devoured by the hungry
Yankees.  Whilst clothing has been stolen from every house Negroes
cattle & every thing carried off–Furniture broken up and burnt–

MSS 6960

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, former newspaper editor and civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept.]

[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat of Lynchburg, Va., with five sons in the Confederate Army]

Friday 19  Weather fine & pleasant.  No
news of any particular interest.  The
importance of the victory at Fredericks
-burg is more and more magnified
as the particulars are known–our
loss will not exceed 1800 or 2000 men
while the enemys will reach 15,000
It appears Burnside was not on the
field-not on the same side of the river

not in the same county with his army
The Yankee correspondents represent
him as stationed in the Balcony of
Alex Philips’s new home on the Staf
ford Hills about 1 1/2 miles from the
River on the old stage road to Aquia
Creek.  There with a powerful glass
he is represented as watching the bat
-tle and dispatching couriers with
the injunction to”lose no time.”  Here
he is represented by his toadies as
giving his armies orders with the
greatest coolness & promptitude.
In a direct line he was at least
four miles from where the hottest
of the battle on his left took place
Our generals were all under fire
what would have been thought of
Gen Lee had he took up his post
at  Chewnings in the war–The whole
of the enemy’s force have recrossed
the Rappahanock–Fredericksburg
-or what is left of it was occupied
by our Troops Monday  The enemys
soldiers sacked the town before leaving
it, ruthlessly destroying furniture
and every thing they could lay their
hands on…….

 [from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F., 25th Massachusetts]
Thursday
Dec 18
I slept very well last night as I
was so tired, and we started about
eight this morning.  I was almost as black as a
negro from smoke and dirt and we had a good
deal of sport about our looks.  Our rations are
very short and we have eaten dry corn and raw
sweet potatoes.  To-night we have been rushing it
a great rate.  We were told abut dark that we
were soon to encamp, but as we went along the
boys carrying bundles of stalks on their bayonets
we kept rushing till about midnight and it
was rumored that Beauregard was going to try and
cut us off.  My feet were so sore I could hardly
move, but I finally reached the camp and ate
a little piece of very tough beef warmed a little
and all dirt, and a little hard tack, and I went
up to see Frank Nourse a few minutes.  It is
very cold and no wood to be had hardly.

MSS 11293

[The following letter is written by a Dr. G. C. Stiles, apparently to William H. Perry’s father.]
                                       Rich – Dec. 18th 62
My Dear Friend,
                         It gives me pleasure
to inform you that your son is safe. The
First Howitzers were posted in the very center
of the army – the company occupying the ex-
treme right of the left wing – & the highest nole
on in the range of hills on which our troops
were drawn up. The Howitzers fired the first
gun in Saturdays great fight – & continued to
fire & be fired at both close of  the engage-
ment – In consequence of their lofty position
they were not rushed over  by the enemy
at any period of the fight & strange to say
tho’ that as shell fell around them through-
out the fight one only was wounded
& he slightly.  Thank God for the preservation
of our sons & again for our most glorious
victory. Genl Lee modestly computes the loss of
the Federals in killed & wounded at 11,000.
Secretary Benjamin says ( I am told) that their
slain were 18,000.        Very Respectfully,   Gor. C. Stiles

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 7786-d