[from the message book of Lt. Thomas S. Seabury, 3rd New York Infantry]

Dec. 23d
To Sergt. Murray
Allow the
lighter with salt to pass.
(Signed) Col. Wardrop

Dec. 23d
To Sergt. Murray
Allow the Steamer
Dollie to pass to
Norfolk
(Signed) Col. Wardrop

MSS 10781

[from the diary of Captain William F. Hunter of Co. B., 97th Ohio]

     Dec. 23d, ’62.
Clear & warm.
Ordered to have 3
days rations in havre-
sacks, knapsacks pack-
ed & tents struck, &
ready to march at
daylight to-morrow.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 10547-bm

[from the diary of the Rev. Francis E. Butler, chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]

Tues. lovely day our Regt. on picket at river side – opposite Freder-
icksburg – helped post them – rode all along bank in full view
of rebel pickets – no firing – rowed across in small boat with
Col. D. & aide of Zurich – under flag of truce – talked with rebels –
a Capt. of So. Carolina regt – very polite anxious to get our papers
gave them.  Saw on this side Mrs. McShane & Mrs. Edwards waiting to
cross – Knew Mrs. Perry – hoped we would again gain possession

& hold it – visited grist mill – flour 11 ¢ lb.  corn meal 1.60 pr.
bu.  Saw Sumner review 9th Army Corps – on plateau – nr. his
qrs – Visited hospital – buried Margesin.   recd. letters fr.
Mr. H. & Townsend’s sister – Visited pickets after sunset.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

Camp No Camp in Buckners Neck
Tuesday Morning Dec 23^d 1862
My own dear Wife

Sunday evening I rec^d orders to send two regi-

ments to picket in Buckners Neck & Yesterday I was

ordered to follow with the rest of the brigade to be

on duty 7 days including Sunday. So I am here.

I brought my wagon & all my baggage & am just as

comfortable as I was at my other camp. Had a

very hard days work yesterday. I was in the

saddle from a little after sun up until dark. My

business here is to p defend a line two miles

long and resist the crossing of the enimy [sic] at

all points & at all hazards. I have a splendid

position which I am fortifying & making stronger

This step has been taken not because the Yankeys

have made any show at crossing, but as a

precaution. It is I understand the purpose of our

Genls to fortify the line of the River from Port

Royall to Fredericksburg and then be ready

to receive our friends whenever they may show

themselves, in the same style in which re re-

ceived them at Fredericksburg. Yesterday just

as I got here Edward rode up – having come

down from his camp to see me. I had no

time to sit down & talk with him but he

rode around with me for two or three hours

and then returned to his camp. He says he

has not received a letter from Florence since

the 6” of this month but has heard from her

through other sources. All are well. I also

met yesterday your cousin Hilary Jones – he

[page 2]

is a Major of Artilery [sic] and has been assigned

to our Division as Chief of Artilery [sic]. I took

quite a fancy to him especially when he told

me he had been a school mate of yours. He is

a very nice fellow indeed. He told me that

he had understood that Genl Jackson now

professed that he could see prospects for peace

heretofore the Genl would not allow any one

to talke talk to him about peace. I am glad

to hear that he can now see light ahead

I must confess that I cant see much myself.

But I am not going to write this letter about

the war – I want to write about home. Stephen

ought now to take advantage of every warm spell

to get his corn ground ploughed. In the first

place he must plough the garden & then the

corn ground. In ploughing the latter he must

not plough up the ground intended for the new

road – during the cold weather he can get off

a good many rock which li are loose in

the field. You can also begin to plant trees –

cedars ought not to be planted until February –

but all others may be now just as well as

any other time. After breakfast, I was up before

daylight this morning and wrote this much by candle-

light. I some how this morning feel more like talking

& writing about home things than usual – not that

I expect to get there shortly, but I suppose I am

just a little home sick. I would like to be there to help

plant trees & lay off the garden and see if I could not get

[page 3]

some good stable manure in town to put on the

garden and get some plank to make fences which

is so much needed and then I want to see my wife

& baby & my little daughter & my boy, and have a

good long talk with them all. I have a great

dele [sic] to say & could hear you all talk a long time

without getting tired or absent minded. I could even

hear a long dissertation from Stephen on the sub-

ject of farming & raising stock. By the way how is

Frank doing is he improving any – I want him to

get fat by early spring for I intend to sell him then

at the best price I can get for him. If made fat he

will bring $600. You will have to do your spring ploughing

with fly before she can be sold, then I think you can

sell her & one of the colts keeping the best of the

two for our own use. I think the dun colt will

make the best & largest horse, though you & Stephen

can tell better than I can by the time you want

to sell. Horses are enormously high in the army &

very scarce & in great demand – we lost a great

many in the recent fight. If the war should

end this winter and it is possible and some

say even probable, and I shall be spared to get

home to you all How happy we can be. How

thankful we will be – God has dealt with us

in great mercy and I have faith that he will

continue his mercy & if our people would pray

in the right spirit and with believing hearts I

believe He would ere another spring opens deliver

us safely from our enimies [sic] & give us a peace

with our independence as a people.

Edward told me that he expected to send Florence

[page 4]

to Georgia this winter and that if he did so Hetta

would go with her and Lou would go over & stay

with you. This is an arrangement which I know

would please you and I would therefore be glad

to see it carried out. This is selfish is it not, but

if it pleases all parties it certainly is a very

harmless piece of selfishness. I dont recon your

father will like it so very well, but I doubt not

he can do very well after a fashion.

Wednesday Morning. I was kept so busy all day

yesterday that I was unable to finish my letter

& last evening George Whit & I had an invitation

to take supper out & so we did at a Mr Skinkers

near by and thus we enjoyed the comforts of home

for a brief space. The general impression here is

that the Yankeys will not resume offensive operations

in this quarter again during this winter and

it is in my opinion doubtful if any other

attempt is ever made here. I hope before the

next two months of winter are passed that

something may hapen [sic] which will lead to a

peace. The Yankeys say we will have peace in

the spring but they are as tired of it & more

so then we are, and the wish in thus are

in no doubt the father of the thought My darling

take care of yourself & children. I long to see you,

but cant you must therefore write me some long

letters & as often as possible I have not heard

from you now since the 13’ of this month and

tomorrow is Xmas – And a merry Xmas I wish

you all be happy just as if I was there & tell

the children we will get old Chris Kringle back again

affectionately ETH Warren
　
　
“My own dear Wife”, salutation – Warren’s wife Virginia ‘Jennie’ Watson Magruder Warren.

“the brigade”, line 3 – Warren was in temporary command of the 3^rd Brigade, Taliaferro’s Division, 2^nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, which consisted of the 47^th & 48^th Alabama Infantry regiments, and the 10^th, 23^rd, & 37^th VA Infantry regiments.

“the River”, line 16 – Rappahannock River.

“our friends”, line 18 – Yankees.

“Edward”, line 21; page 3, line 32 – Jennie’s brother Edward J. Magruder, Lieutenant-Colonel, 8^th GA Infantry.

“Florence”, line 26; page 3, line 32 – Florence Fouche Magruder, wife of Edward J. Magruder.

“Hilary Jones”, line 29 – Hilary Pollard Jones. He was a graduate of the University of Virginia and in 1859 became the headmaster of the Hanover Academy.

“Genl Jackson”, page 2, line 6 – Thomas J. ‘Stonewall’ Jackson, Confederate general, commanded the 2^nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.

“baby”, page 3, line 4 – Warren’s youngest daughter ten month old Virginia ‘Jennie’ Watson.

“my little daughter”, page 3, line 4 – Warren’s oldest daughter seven year old Lizzie.

“my boy”, page 3, line 4 – Warren’s son six year old James M.

“Frank”, page 3, line 10 – This was one of Warren’s war horses.

“your father”, page 4, lines 7&8 – Warren’s father-in-law James Magruder.

“George”, page 4, line 12 – Jennie’s brother – George S. Magruder, Private, Company C, 13^th VA Infantry. At the time of the letter he was temporarily assigned as Colonel Warren’s orderly.

“Whit”, page 4, line 12 – Whitfield G. Kisling, Adjutant, 10^th VA Infantry.

“ETH Warren”, page 4, signature – Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Colonel, 10^th VA Infantry.

[transcript by John P. Mann, IV]

MSS 7786-g

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

Tuesday–Good & bad news have both reached me today–tom
is safe again–Eliza & I have both received a letter from him.
He is well-& says they have thrashed the Yankees well driving
them way across the river–That his Brigade kept them from
crossing one whole day==& fought valiantly–It is Barksdale’s
composed of the 18th, 17th, & 13th Mississippi Regiments–He says
at night they make large fires & lay all around them on the
ground like Indians–& he begins to think that is the healthiest
way of sleeping–This is the good news–The bad is that I heard
to day from Mrs Campbell in Fayetteville that she had sent my large
trunk packed full of different articles-& my clothes basket also well
packed by Express to me a week or ten days ago–& I have heard
nothing of them.  I have written to Lewis DeRossett about them & am
told if they can be gotten, he will get them–Mrs Campbell went to
Fayetteville in company with Mrs Jewett who has lost half of her
furniture & other things by the sinking of the boat they were in–Hester
is with Mrs Campbell–Sarah spent the day at Dr Malletts–Mrs
Johnston at Mrs Ned Davis’- Professor Smith & his wife called to day. The
young people are dressing the Church for Christmas–Oh what a sad
Christmas it will be to many., Sad indeed to all–War at our very
doors–Extortioners thro’ out the land-& the small pox spreading in every
direction-Dr Armand DeRossett & his wife arrived here just before din-
-ner on their way to Hillsboro’ – They were in the Boat that sunk &
escaped narrowly being drowned-Hired a Hack to take them to Hills
-boro’ – The family that are in the house they bought, have commenced
moving out-So they can soon move down to take possession-
Captain Mason urges an earlier day named for the wedding to
take place than the 13th of January-Mrs Person has sent down
sugar with a request that Eliza will make her some candy tomor
-row for Sammies Christmas-

MSS 6960

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

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 1862
Lay about
all forenoon
doing nothing
Went to Town
after noon Saw
Thom talked some
with him about
going to Ashland
but did not go
to concert there to night
Phil McGrath & the
[?[ to be there
Wrote letter to John
Benton
Cloudy mudy

MSS 10317

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

Tuesday night, Dec. 23, 1862.

Camp near Fredericksburg
      Monday Dec 22’1862
Mrs. Balsorah J. Riley
My Dear Wife
I mailed a letter to you day
before yesterday, but my
mingled emotions of
love, Grief, & anxiety can
find vent only by the
transmission of a few
more lines to you, as I
cherish the deepest solic-
ituce for your wef wel-
fare my happiness is
bound up with your
prosperity.  It is hard
indeed that we must
be separated, but cruel
fate has thus ordained
our lot, & we have to try

[page 2]
to console ourselves, let
our lot be what e’er it may.
I have looked in vain for
a letter ever since I arrived
here. not heard a word
from you since I left
except that which Jas.
Damper wrote me in
Stephen’s letter, that you
“got home safe from Cop=
ian on friday Dec. 5″
Stephen’s letter was dated
Dec. 7.  In the gattle at
Frredericksburg none of our
Co. got hurt except Tom Bass
he was wounded in the foot
by a fragment from a bomb.
In the 16 Reg. 22 wounded
& 4 killed. Jef Waltman
has got back to the Co. he
is not in first rate
health, but is improving

[page 3]
very rapidly.  He was in
Baltimore Md. part of
the time while prisoner
& he says nearly all the
people there men &
women are genuine
secessionists.  he says he
saw Secesh flags hoisted
there & cheers given for
“Stone Wall Jackson” that
the Ladies of Baltimore
furnished them (the prisoners)
Clothing, Shoes & every thing
that they needed.  Dorch
Benson is in fine health
& as full of fun as ever.  So
is Rob. Morris & Stephen
Damper in good health.
Jef Waltman does not think
that D. Weathersby intended
to swindle him in that
money matter, but thinks

[page 4]
that he only made a
mistake in dealing
it out.  he says tell Owen
to pay the deficit to Wm
Morris & all will be right
I am very anxious to hear
from you. write soon & often
  Direct to Fredericksburg
Stop, til I break the seal
& read this letter which
Steve Dam. has just handed
me.  It is from you, I know
the hand write.  Well I have
just had the pleasure of
reading yours of Dec. 5
nothing gives me geater
pleasure than to hear
of your good health
I am in good health
my arm is well I can
get it nearly straight. I
know you are bound to be lone-
some, so am I, though I have
plenty of company, but that which
I desire is absent.  your affect-
ionate husband  F. L. Riley

[in left  hand margin of page 4]
I  have not time or room to reply to you letter at present.

[in right hand margin of page 4]
I mailed Father a letter yesterday

[page 5]
This paper, as trifling as it
is, cost me $1.50 per
quire.  I would write
with pen & ink, but ink
is nearly “as scarce in
camp as hen’s teeth” “&
all” -The inhabitants of
Frredericksburg (is not
that a long name) had
every thing destroyed by
the Yanks before & during
the battle.  There was

[page 6]
a subscription carried
through camps yesterday
to relieve the suffering
citizens of Fred’bg. I sub-
scribed & paid $1.00 for
their relief, so did nearly
every soldier, which you
know  Amt’ed to a large
sum.  “Allow for the
Seam.”  Dont sum
mick–my Respects
to my Friends, you
know who they are my
love to you —from Frank.

                                 Head quarters U.S. Engineers
                                                Falmouth Virginia
                                                    Dec 22 1862

Friend Dennett  [William S. Dennett]

                                    I received your interesting
letter yesterday and was pleased to hear from you
I had almost immagined you had left the service
as it has been so long a time since I heard from
you.  I am well and through kind Providence
I have enjoyed good health ever since you left, with
the exception of a few days than my sickness was
not dangerous.  I will give you a short detail of our
proceedings since you left, and of the changes
that have taken place in our company lately.
Of our doings on the Peninsulia[sic] I will remain
silent supposing that you have through others heard
all of that old news.  First, those that have gone
to their long  homes.  Taylor, Smith and Black died
while we were at “Harrisons Landing”.  The two for-
mer dead at Philadelphia, the latter at Annapolis
Julian Day died and was burried at Warrenton Va
Daniel H. Miller (lately made corporal) died
at our present place of encampment Falmouth
Two others belonging to the company that had la-

[page 2]
tely joined us and strangers to you have also gone
to their last resting place.  Second, Those that
were taken prisinors” at “Savage Station” on our
skeedaddle from the “Chickahominy River” Le Goss
and Page of our Co with eighteen others of the Batt
Le Goss is at Camp Parole Annapolis Md with page.
Third Defunct Chaps.  Neil Cleark & Merrill
ran away from us when we were ordered to join
Sikes’es Brigade at the battle of “Antietam”.  Our
Battalion supported the fifth regular battery on
the left of Sikes’es brigade at that memorable
(if it can be called such) time.  Bot C & M are
keeping a liquor store at “Toronto Canada”  I rece-
ived a letter from them some time since. Now
for our work.  After the battle of “Antietam” we
left for “Harpers Ferry” were we built two bri-
dges one at the old place were our last were, and
one across the “Shanandoah River”.  We remained
there for some weeks (I will not be particular
in giving dates) when an order was issued
by the Secretary of war that all who wished to
leave the Volunteers could do so and join the regulars
Many took the advantage and in three days our
battalion was raised from about two hundred
two near six.  You would not know the old camp
now.  We got a good many fine fellows and of course

[page 3]
many D. Asses.  Than we were ordered to build
another bridge so the army could pass over into Vir-
ginia.  This was built at “Berlin” M.d about five
miles below “Harpers Ferry” on the Potomac.  After
finishing we left it in charge of two Comps of the
50 N.Y.V. Corps and moved on with the Army.
Nothing of note happened untill a few days ago when
another order came for us to throw two long bridges ac
cross the “Rappahannock River” for our troops & attack
the Rebels.  This was the most trying job we ever
had yet.  There was the rebel pickets within spe-
aking distance and we had to do the work in front
of them.  It must be done, and at it we went.
We worked all night on loading our boats from the
waggons and at daylight we commenced throwing
across the bridge (I tell you This there was some
queer feelings amongst the boys I judge from my
self. All went on well enough (as the pickets
left the bank as soon as they see what we were up
to.)  Untill about eight oclock and our bridge
was about half way across, when down came the
rebel sharpshoooters and opened fire upon us.  There
we were without our arms and no chance to
retaliate.  the balls flew fast and thick about
us striking the bridge and boats near us and some
passing so close as to cut the clothes of some of the

[page 4]
boys but strange to say only three of our [batt?]
was hit I was Chess carrion and was just lay
ing down my plank I guess I did not stop to see
if it was placed right or not. Some thing close to
think about.  I jumped into one of the boats
and kept close I tell you.  Our batteries opened
upon them with shot and shell which soon made
them leave us.  At our work we went again and
had succeeded in laying the last boat in its place
when down they came again  Hell bent (queer
expression) this time the men were not so
lucky two of our men was so frightened they
run into the rebels hands and were taken p-
risinors the fifteenth N Y lost four or five and
the fiftieth N.Y. engrs lost one out of every ten
and had one Capt killed and two wounded
Lieut Cross of our Camp saved himself by jumping
over board and the rest of us got behind what
ever we could.  However in spite of them we
finished our work and our troops commen-
ced pouring over.  The rest you know as no
doubt you have heard of the whole sail slaughter
of our troop at the last battle.  Our troops had
to abandon the opposite side of the river after
the battle and there was an other job for us
to take the bridges up again.  After all of

[page 5]
our troops had recrossed we went to work
this was about two oclock on Tuesday morning
we commenced taking up our bridge and by day
light we had nearly finished, but we were not
quite quick enough the enemy had seen our troops
had left the battle field and had recrossed the
river.  The rebels opened fire upon us with shot
and shell but in spite of the we loaded our
boats and bridge upon the waggons and handed
if off.  It was amusing to see the straglers
next morning after our folks abandoned the field
comeing down by the river and we had to fetch
them across in boats.  Where our next work will
be “God” only knows I do not think our Generals
know.  What advantage was gained by our troops going
over there.  None only we made a fool of ourselves
and left a chance for the rebels to laugh at us.
I so not know as I have any more news to write
to you  We have not got any more Corporals made
since you left that is Only Miller and he is dead.
Flood and Hedstrom are acting. Sargent Haskelt
is made Orderly Sargent and Corp Turner is Sargent
Maher and Clark are the only old Corporals we
have We have now forty five Artificers and the

[page 6]
Company is filled to the number o[f] 113 men
There is plenty of room for Corporals and
Sargents yet I do not know who they will be
but I expect there will be a number before long.
Ayre has got his discharge and gone home
William H Fernald has left for Washington with
Ed Welsh they expect their discharge.  Sargent
Jordan is dead he died soon after he got his dis
charge.  Sargent Wheeler is promoted to first
Lieutenant in Cavelry regulars.  And Sargent
Ayers is promoted first Lieutenant in 19 infintry
regulars gone to Cincinatta.  Corporal Smith of
Comp C is 2 Lieutenant in Ball. also Private
Hofman Lieut in one of the Mass regiments.
I will close hopeing soon to heare from you
I wish you a Merry Christmas & happy
new year from
                      Your friend and well wisher
                              T[haddeus] K. P[endleton]

[page 7]
Sargent Haskelt & Turner Artificer
Ryder, Hartshorn, Leavitt, with all of
rest of the boys wish to be remembered
to you

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

Monday, Dec. 22, 1862
Was up early
this morning &
helped butcher  killed
six hogs had
[Carter?] to help
got done in good
time  cut [trimmings?]
&c
Cloudy with light
showers this evening
thawing

MSS 10317