[from the diary of George W. Dabney, clerk of Campbell County, Va.]

Decmr 18. Thursday

Clear & cold.  Th. 20 sunrise
Hay & Otey down last night, and
to Cap Foxs sale to day about
lead & tanning for Confederacy
Dyeing clothes all day at
Dollys–Wd & Shelton to sale
hands getting rail timber & wood

MSS 3315

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

Thursday 18th  “A day of days,” indeed–One to be
long remembered! Raleigh was sent to Cobham
with a letter, enclosing stamps, & with stamps
on the outside–In the evening, Lilla & Celstine
were going to the Mill, when they found the letter
which ought to have been at the office, torn up
in the road, with all he stamps gone–The girls
immeasurably shocked, picked up the pieces &
brought them home, & told us all.  O god, how
my heart sank!  to find that he had been guilty
of such a crime!  But the motive for the act, was
what we could not make out.  The only one
we could conceive must be that he wanted the
stamps–Oh God, I had no idea how dear the
boy was to me, till I found him erring so
far–& many, many, fervent prayers went up
to God for him who so much needs the guid=
ance of the Spirit! My very love & anxiety made
me conjure up the worst of motives for the act
& caused me to charge him mentally with
much more folly & real black, falsehearted

-ness than I had ever thought of laying
on him before-Father will speak to him to=
morrow about it & like father’s own self,
kindly, though firmly & seriously-May God
incline his heart to receive a lasting impression
& make him love the truth!  I think I must
talk to him too, before he goes away-may God
direct me in wisdom how to guide him & teach
him-father took John Lewis over to the doctor who,
when making inquiries pressed on his stomach, &
J.L. nearly fainted, showing some disease there–The
old Dr evidently thinks of typhoid fever-O,what
a miserable, wretched day this has been!-I think
I never realised the use of affliction so much as
today-for how my heart has sighed after the land
where there is no sin or sickness no sighing or
death, no tears or sorrow-I have tried to cast my
great burden on the Lord for oh, it is heavier than
I can bear alone-Father thinks there is a possibility
of my dear Raleigh’s not being guilty after all.
He might have lost the letter, and not wished
to tell of it-& some one else have taken out the
stamps-God grant it-It is a ray of hope-
but my anxiety tells me not to trust to it-
I can go to bed, however, with a somewhat
lighter heart-News of the great battle of
Fredericksburg which was fought last Thursday
Friday & Saturday-The Yankees well whipped
so that they have left their position & gone
we know not where–They confess to a loss
of 25000 men-Our loss is about 1800 in killed
wounded & missing–300 or 400 killed we
think God be praised!  who helpeth us &
daily poureth his blessings upon us. the old
city of Fredericksburg, however, has been burned-
which we regret very much.  A poor afflicted
soldier called to spend the night-I never saw
a more distressed man-He had only been
married about seven months, & has just
heard of the death of his wife–He eat scarce
=ly anything,slept little, & was crying almost
all the time-He was on his way home-We
felt much for him-

MSS 4208

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

Thursday  no Mrs Walters yet–We have concluded hearing our Telegra
-phic wires were cut by the Yankees below Goldsboro, & the track
pulled up & burnt for six miles-She has taken another course & i
is coming thro’ Fayetteville–& Mrs Campbell & Jewett with her
& perhaps Mrs Wright.  They are still fighting at Kinston
& the most of the conscripts were taken prisoners–Two Mr
Fetters amongst them–Mrs Duncan Moore has arrive from
Charlotte & brought Eliza’s second box-The white bonnet
is very plain-rich velvet-& handsome-The travelling one
is not as fashionable-& Eliza has already taken it to the
milliner to alter-She has concluded to let Mrs Younge the Cha
-pel Hill Dress maker make her dress–I hope she wont spoil
it-I had a pleasant letter from Joe-Still some of the news
was unpleasant, & that was hearing Mary is again quite sick
I feel anxious about her-I would gladly go to her if I could-She
needs someone to attend to the children & house when she is sick
Just as I prophecied Joe’s house wont be finished for many weeks
as he cant procure bricks to build his chimney–No letter from
Tom yet-I am getting uneasy-As he is at Fredericksburg–

MSS 6960

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell,  former newspaper publisher 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]

Thursday 18–Weather cold but clear
still picking up money for Fredg
No doubt now of the enemy having
retreated across the river at Fredg and
from the Stafford heights–first sack
-ing the town and destroying every
thing they could–They left guns, ammu
nition, knapsacks &c and six hundred
of their unburied dead in the town
and vicinity–reviewing it in all
its relations a\& effects I am incline
to think the victory of Saturday the
greatest of the war–Never did a
host come down more assured of Vic
-tory-never was a defeat more
signal and unexpected-Their loss
was immense counting by the head
but the demoralization of the army
is worth more than the actual loss
ses can doubt that all McClellans
friends, in and out of the army, will
rejoice at Burnsides overthrow.
What next?  I do not think he
will abandon the expedition-He
will most probably cross at Port Roy
-al under cover of his gunboats
He will gain nothing as to route &
will  have to fight another battle
& this time with the whole of
our forces.  We had not 30,000 men
engaged Saturday–Launcelot has
sustained another great loss in the
death of Randolph Fairfax, of
the Rockbridge Artillery, killed Satur-
-day–He accidentally saw it last night
under the obituary news of the Enquirer

He was a most admirable youth. the
loss of two such friends has cast a gloom
upon him.  to day he read me a beau
tiful letter he had written Mrs. Fairfax
The mail this eveg brought me a
letter from M. W. Robertson announcing
the death of Williams youngest son
Landon Carter aged nearly 3 yrs & 4 mos
He did not die of the severe burn he recd
a couple of months since but of congestion
of the Brain.  He was a beautiful little
boy and very engaging.  His death will
be a sever blow to  to[sic] his father–I
rec letter from Wm. L. Goggin, which
I must publish, enclosing 100$ for
Fredg. also letter dated Lovingston from
Edmund J. Lee of Shepherdstown, enclo
sing 80 from himself, Col Rust & Mrs
Pendleton & her daughter

MSS 4763 

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F., 25th Massachusetts]

Wednesday
Dec 17
Had a very good sleep as I had part
of Dadmuns blanket and husks to lie
on.  Started about eight, our brigade in the
advance, about the middle of the forenoon the
seventeenth who were out as skirmishers, discovered
the enemy on the railroad and our artillery
shelled them.  We were led through the woods
up near the railroad, closely following the twenty
seventh, and a brisk cannonading was commenced
we were brought round to support a battery and
lay down behind it with our left resting on
the railroad.  I put on my overcoat as we were
lying round and it was pretty cold, and there
was a very raw wind.  We were just his side
of the river from Goldsboro and our men burned
the bridge of the railroad and tore up a good
deal of the track and sleepers and and set
them on fire, it was on the Wilmington and Weldon
railroad, As we lay there the round shot of
the enemy passed over our heads.  About the middle
of the afternoon, we had silenced the
enemy and retired to a house back of the
field where we were waiting for the batteries
to come up, when the enemy suddenly charged
on one of the batteries, and we and the twenty
seventh were ordered back to the field, and
the battle was renewed with redoubled fury.
Our battery mowed them down,and we marched
down to the front, the shell and grape coming over
our heads and wounding Hagar in the shoulder
We lay down and our battery fired over us and
the rebels at us for some time till dark, killing
one of Company H. and making a big hole through
the dipper of Barrett of our company. Finally the
enemy were silenced, and we then started
back again, but the rebels had flooded a small
stream, so that when we went back, we had
to wade to the waist in the cold water and then
stand till we were almost chilled through
but we finally reached the place where we staid
last night and again we encamped.  I thank
God that He has kept me through so many perils
this day.  as I lay there under the fire of the grape
and shell, I prayed for success and for the
mercy of God. George clasped my hand and I
directed him to God.  We are now going
back as we have accomplished our object.

MSS 11293

[from the diary of Frank C. Fitzhugh, Cutshaw’s Battery]

           
December                 Wednesday 17                                         
Went over to the 13th Regt’s Camp
the regt was on picket.  met
with Uncle John Newman on
the road.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 4448

                                  Camp near Fredricksburg, Va
                 Wednesday Evening December 17th 1862
My Dear Father
                                       I suppose ere this time what
you have heard all about, our adventure across
the river, the the Army has had three days and nights
hard fighting because we fight as well at night
as day Our division crossed the river on the
morning of the 14th inst  I lost 3 men in crossing the
bridge by a solid shot, from the enemies batteries
that were firing upon us all the time we were en
crossing, the shot passed within six feet of my right
side and stuck three men of my co immediately
in my rear, “we were at a halt at the time” it went
through to mens legs and struck the third on the left
foot, they were three of my best men two
of them I saw their legs amputated, and the
other the doctor told me would not loose his foot
it was a terriable shot, leaving the legs hang
nearly by the skin and a little flesh, we laid
at that place for some ten minutes under their
artillery fire. we then cross the bridge  The third
3rd Infty leading the column I made the remark
that I thought we would come back a great
deal faster than we went across.  It seems I was
right, by the time we got across we were it was
dark and we were put in position in the

[page 2]
extreme front behind a wall and in a  Grave Yard
Their we laid under a terrific fire of the enimies
Artillery who by this time had completely driven
our forces back there was no getting over that, beca-
use I saw them run with my own eys
About twelve oclock that night we the 3rd & 4th Infty
were throwen to the front about 200 yards in rear of
a tanery as I supposed to open the fight the
next day, but  kn no it was only to lay under the
enemies fire for 24 hours as soon we were put in
position my Co. was throwen out as skermishers
as soon as the day had broken the enemy opened
on my co. we were lying on our bellies as close
to the ground as possiable their fire got to hot
I could not stand it I reported the fact, by
passing the word along the line, we got orders
to fall back to the Grave Yard fence, we lost heavey
how I escaped I do not know I was not even
grased by a ball but they buzed a passed me
in all direction I was fired at y by their
Sharp Shooters who kill every man they fired at
I lost ten men in retreating two hundred yards
to the fence Lt Benedict of the 4th Infty who was
out with me was shot through the left lung
by theirs sharpshooters the men that helped him
off the field with the exception of one were shot
we could not show even our hand without being
shot at..they the (Enemies sharpshooters) even shot
the wounded after they fell.  One of my men that

[page 3]
shot in the Adams Apple in the throat
and had the ball pass through his lung was
shot throug throug the bowels while tring
to get shelter it was perfect murder Our
Division lost heavily in Officers and men
O it was awful I never never want to see the
like again we were relieved whenesdy night
by volunteers who were served pretty much the
same way, except that they were driven in and
run like a pack of cowards we could not hold
the City so we had to leave it after a loss of
about 15,00 men not a man less, I am sure
the enemy did not lose 2,000 men they fought
behind their breast works and when ever we got
close enough why they drove us back they
never let us get closer than a 50 yards of their
works, I read the Inquirer of to day in which
it says we took their works it is no such thing
we never took any of their works what is
more we never can take the works opposite
Fredericksburg.  A great many of our troops beha
=ved shamefully they were like sheep I saw
when this army at present can not ship
25,000 of the enemy it is completely demorilized,
where is Burnside now?  The first thing you
know the enemy will be in front of Washington
when they will call for Geo. B. McClellan
once more to save our glorious Capitol
mark my word, The enemy will take advantage

[page 4]
of their success of driving us from the
City, We were the last troops that left the
City the only troops that they could depend
uppon as the others all cleared out, we left
about 7 Oclock in the morning of the
16th inst after the 3d Infty got over the bridges
were torn up and distroyed so as to prevent
the enemy from crossing after us
After 6 days hard work, sleeping on the ground
with one Blanket when the water froze in
our canteens without any fires we are again
in our old camp with about 400 less men then before
what is to be done we cannot go in winter quarters
here without great expense, we must do one of two
things, viz move nearer Washington or put the Govement
to great expense in transporting food and Keeping
the river open, the Acquia Creek freezes every winter
and the Quartermaster & commissary. Genl say they
cannot provide the Army at this point all winter
I think we will go to Washington or close by and go
into Winter Quarters no more battles for this army
this winter if they do fight they will be whiped
as sure as fate.
Now is the time for you to get my leave as I am
much in need of it to recruit my health as the
last six days work as has made its mark upon
my health I am being cramped up with
rhumatism ever since we returned and suffer a
great deal with it I received a letter from Henry to night
Dear Father do get my leave, if possiable
Ben Williams run from his regiment while in front of the
enemy on the night of 14th inst we think he has gone to
Washington Give my love to all
                                                       Your Affectionate Son
                                                        Geo B Eckert
Isaac Eckert
                    Reading
                                   Pa

George B. Eckert, 1840-1899,  48th Pennsylania

MSS 8282

Fort Tillinghast, Dec 17th/62
My Dear Wife
                        As I expect to receive a
letter from you this afternoon, I will
commence to answer it now, We are
now enjoying some very beautifull weather
for the last few days it has been as
warm and pleasant as June, Mrs Cha-
ndler, and Charly Pecker and wife came
here last Sunday, (Mrs Pecker is Capt
Chandlers sister) they stop with us
about a week, I believe, J B Alley
came over here last Sunday accompan-
ied by Wm Downing, Benj Sprague
John Martin and Philip Tapleys son,
all of Lynn, I had a talk with them,
Mr Alley seemed pleased to see me,
and asked me to come over to
Washington and see him, Lieut
Earp is geting along finely.  he has
got his Sword and uniform, and

[page 2]
is to-day doing duty as “Officer of
tghe day” I really think that, that
Commission saved his life, he
is still quite feeble, having lost
some thirty pounds by his sickness,
How do you get along this winter,
A’int you most out of money, I
was in hopes, to have sent you some
before this, I suppose Uncle Sam
will pay us between this and the
middle of January, when he does
I will send it to you, We are all very
much in want of money, John B
said he thought we should be paid
off this week, John Blaney, and Cy
Stimpson of Swampscott were here
last week I did’nt see them, Perkins
and Pedrick did, It is now “Salt Horse”
time, I will finish this some other time

[letter of Robert P. Mansfield, Co. M., 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, will continue on the 19th.]

MSS 1242

[from the “War Journal” of George Hazen Dana, as compiled sometime after the war from his diaries and letters]

                                                           Camp near Falmouth Va.
                                                                           Dec. 17th 1862.
     Here we are again, safe and sound – that is, the
balance of us, – in our old camp, and I presume
you will like to hear – what part I took in the pro-
ceedings.        I was sent to Washington, as you
know, on business, and had not finished, when I heard
that we were at work before Fredericks burg, and heard
also that our brigade was engaged.        So I started,
Saturday morning at 8 o’clock for Aquia Creek,
and left there at 3 P.M. for Falmouth, in the cars.
Hearing the heavy booming of the guns ahead, I
was very impatient, as you may imagine, to reach
the station, but as ill luck would have it, when about
five miles from Falmouth, the cars ran off the track –
-hurting nobody, however – and I had then to start
on foot with my valise –        I ran about two

miles, and becoming rather used up, had to leave my
baggage with the drivers of an army wagon, on the
road; then started again, and reached the pontoon
bridge, opposite Fredericksburg, about 5 o’clock, and
there heard that our brigade had crossed about
twenty minutes before.        I rushed across,
through the town, to the battlefield, in front, where
there was a deafening roar of cannon and musketry
and bursting shell, the dead piled up in every
conceivable position, the wounded screaming and
groaning, the ground slippery with blood.
I ran from right to left, asking every one for Griffin’s
brigade, one directing me in one direction, another in
the opposite, and thought I should never find it,
the bullets all the while whistling about my ears,
so that it seemed as if an immense fly was
buzzing in each of them.        I was positive I should
never cross the field alive, as it seemed to my in-
experience as though a flea could not escape
without losing some feathers on both sides.         The
fire was so heavy that most of the regiments
were lying flat on their faces.        I saw five or
six regiments, however, on the ‘double quick’,
away in advance of the rest, and made for them.

As I approached them, I saw that the 32nd was the
rear one, and a moment after, all fell flat on their
face but ‘our own’, God bless it; which continued
to advance, over the others, till it took the very
front, on the brow of the hill, fired a volley, and
then, in turn, laid low, the murderous storm passing
over it.        In the mean time, I had picked up
a rifle, and finding it loaded, fired it, and then
walked up to Col. Parker, who was safe and sound,
and perfectly cool, and reported myself for duty.
How he laughed!        But I can write no more, as
the mail is off.        I am well, and in command
of Co. A.  Captain Dearborn dying nobly while
leading his company in the charge.        Do not
think me unfeeling for speaking of this sad, sad
occurrence so hastily, but I’ve no time –         More
of the battle next time.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 5130