Decr. 15th 1862   Field Near Fredericksburg
My Dear Father
                          I have an opportunity to write a few lines
to-day – The papers will announce to you before
this reaches you that a battle has been fought – not
a decisive one however, though a fierce one. The enemy
of course was the attacking party. The situation I think
give as well as I can in a few words. Just above the
town the high hills on this side reach nearly to the river,
then receding rapidly they leave a flat about two miles wide
between them & the river, at the widest point perhaps – 2 ½ miles. Then
running parallel to the river for some distance they again
appear to the eye to approach it – The town is on the
upper end of this basin on the river bank. The hills
on this side are very steep frequently nearly perpen-
dicular.
     On the 11th (Thursday) the enemy commenced shelling the town with
great vigour – the pieces used I suppose numbering some
60 0r 80 – some of them quite heavy, apparently 30 pounder.
That evening our company was ordered to its present posi-
tion, which commands is a commanding view of nearly the
whole scene battle field – The next day, (Friday) the firing was
renewed & continued with equal vigour the greater part of the
day, destroying, a citizen tells me, two whole squares totally
by fire & of course battering many houses down & burning
them elsewhere than in these two squares. The town is now nearly a wreck.  During
this time the enemy were laying down pontoon bridges opposite to
& below the town, which was feebly resisted by one or two
pieces of brigades at the several points. They entered the
town late that (the 12th) evening. I do not think we could well
have prevented them from crossing – the hills on the other
side of the river been running much nearer to it & brist-
ling with artillery. They commenced moving their

[page 2]
forces over in heavy bodies that evening across the different
bridges & continued doing so until late the next day. They
came almost without number. The Hills are cleared of
wood on the other side & we could have seen every thing that was
going on, but for a fog which obscured almost every      
thing in the early part of the day.  On the 13th. the battle began &
ended. The town was shelled this day as furiously by us as it had
been before by the enemy . Their (the enemy’s) troops, foot & artillery, occu-
pying the town in numbers, must have suffered intensely from
our artillery, many pieces (85 it is said) keeping up an inces-
sant firing on it. These pieces were many of them on the
bluffs almost overhanging the town. One hill, a position
of great strength, was five times attacked by the enemy,
who were signally repulsed with immense loss. Our
infantry were in a road winding around the foot of
the bluff upon which our batteries were stationed, pro-
tected by a rock fence about 4 or 5 feet high & several
feet thick. The enemy had to advance through an
open space to attack this & were slaughtered by our sol-
diers, while they were suffering very lightly. When night
closed upon them the enemy was being repulsed with his
last time. Of course fresh troops made each separate
charge, I mean of the enemy. Ours never changed their po-
sition & did not have to be relieved, but were reinforced
 until the road was full of men each all loading & jumping
up & shooting as soon as they were loaded. This battle
was on our left wing. Our centre was not attacked –
consequently along here, & I am situated in the centre, there
was no fighting save with artillery. On the right the
attack was equally vigorous – and as signally repulsed, but
I am sorry to say with much greater loss to us. The
R Road on [word lined out] leaving town runs down the
river flat for some 3 miles or more & then runs
up a ravine to the right turning around the foot

[page 3]
of a steep hill in doing so. Just at this point the
enemy made the fight. We had some troops stationed along
the railroad – one or two brigades – we who were looking
on could not tell at the distance what the exact force was, but
could always tell nearly the amount. The enemy having
massed heavy bodies of infantry in front of this position opened along there with
a large number of artillery. One of the General’s
staff says there were 64 pieces. I thought it about that
number. The artillery, of ours opposite, of course replied.
After this had continued some hours, & heavy infantry
skirmishing had been all the while going on, the ene-
my threw forward a brigade which marched up &
fought handsomely. It was soon forced to halt
however by those of our troops along the railroad.
    Two more of the enemy’s brigades were then
double-quicked forward to its support; these two
however soon faltered, & became a disorganized mass,
straggling to the rear. Still for a while the first
brigade stood manfully up & now they begin to
retire slowly – soon they too became entirely disorganized
& fly for the rear. These troops were met by a thick
line of the enemy’s skirmishers who tried in vain to stop
their rearward course with the bayonet. I have called
there three bodies of the enemy brigades – they, are
generally estimated to have been much larger
forces. But now the real attack was made. A long
line of the enemy, extending farther than the smoke
could allow the eye to reach, advanced, drove our
few troops who had fought so gallantly, from
the rail road & disappeared in the woods. Soon however
large numbers of men were seen coming out,
straggling to the rear & soon the whole line was
falling rapidly back in a good deal of disorder

[page 4]
which became worse & worse every moment as our artillerists
redoubled their efforts & cut them up terribly as they went
off towards the river concealed from view by the smoke
of their artillery & protected by its fire. Along our lines one
battery was conspicuous for the rapidity of its firing,
the accuracy of its shots & the fortitude with which it
sustained the concentrated fire of the enemy. This was
Captain Braxton’s battery from Fredericksburg. A
better cause never nerved men to better fighting. From this
time (about three P.M.) there was no more fighting at this point.
But farther down, the enemy’s fire was truly terrific. So much
is entire reliable. I have written so far only what I know
for I saw it. It is said, I have no doubt truly, that this
latter cannonading was to protect or assist another
attack still farther to our right where the enemy was as
easily repulsed. It is also stated that Jackson who com-
mands the right reports to General Lee that he has re-
pulsed the enemy easily. Another brilliant little fight,  
between a brigade or ours & apparently a force of the same    
size took place on our right still nearer to us. This was
Toombs former brigade. In this little fight I am disposed
to think we helped considerably as we opened with rapidity
at a pretty range & some apparent effect. Our battery was
engaged also the day before. The enemy was attempt-
ing to mass & mask their troops in a ravine just
to our right & front when the fog suddenly blew over &
5 or six of our batteries opened & they ske-
daddled to the rear. Our, I mean the confederate artillery,
very rarely attempt to fight the enemy’s batteries at long
taw. But whenever their infantry or artillery get well
within our range we open on them. We had yesterday
one of our battery very slightly, apparently wounded.
The loss on either side I am entirely unable to state.
The enemy’s probably as large or larger than at
at any one days fight during the war, if the reports

[Written in the top margin on page 3.]
which I hear of the battle of the right of our right wing be
true. Yesterday & to day only artillery firing on our extreme right
& left & a little picket firing has been going on. Yesterday
they sent about a dozen shots up here from a battery. What

[Written in the top margin on page 1.]
they are waiting for I can of course only conjecture – Appar-
ently their troops are still on the right & left wings. Tho’
I cant see as many. They may be concealed. You
see our position is a very strong one. The enemy’s troops

[Written in the top margin on page 2.]
are in position in the flat but seem to tend down to
our right. They do not seem to be fortifying much. We
have our infantry in rifle pits at the foot of the hills,
in front of us. They say all Yankeeland could not drive
them out & I believe them. I have not yet gotten a letter from you.

[Written in the side margin on page 2 and on page 3.]
The last was the 18th of last month. The position which our battery holds is comparatively safe & I do not think they will reach our position, so you need not feel uneasy.

[Written in the top margin on page 4.]
I am quite anxious to hear that you are all well
but attribute the delay in your letters exclusively to postal
deficiencies. Excuse haste, my very best love to all. Ever dear father
most affly yr son. W. H. Perry Jr.     I think the enemy’s Check
                                                          was quite a serious one.

[Fragment dated 15 Dec. 1862.]
Since writing this morning evening I
learn upon reliable authority that
the hills do not reach the river
below here, but our lines leave
the hills & run to the river about
six miles below here. So that
the enemy can’t leave the low-
grounds below here coming this
way, I mean in the south side
without a fight. I don’t know
when I will have an opportunity

[page 2]
to send this. I have written in
haste the minutiae of the things oc-
curring around – too minutely perhaps –
If I had time I, perhaps, could
select things which would interest
you more, as it is I can’t. It is
thought by some that the enemy
is waiting for Seigle’s corps. It
is also said that the prisoners
taken say it was “fighting Joe Hooker”
who was so badly whipped on our
right. Generals T. Cobb & Maxy Gregg
were killed.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 7786-d
                           

[from the diary of Frank Fitzhugh, Cutshaw’s battery]

                                  Monday 15
   We were relieved this morn
about 10   went to the rear
about 1 mile under protect.
of a high hill where we
spent the night

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

Across the River Dec 15th 1862
Dear Father I received yours of Dec 7th last night also one from
Ellen dated Nov 7th but I take this opportunity to write to you first
knowing how anxious you will be to hear from me being as I am under the
enemies guns & having been under their fire for three days in the Front & have
not been relieved yet I do not know how it is but we are in the centre & the rest of
the Corps is on the left where our Folks drove the enemy two miles but on the right
General Sumner had it hard but did not lose an inch I think that our Folks are
in earnest the troops have not all been in the Front yet I would answer some of
your questions but you see how I am situated so I will close this by saying that
I have A plenty of clothing and have a good shelter tents do not worry about me
n that account give my love to Mother & to Edwards & Georges wives & Johny & just
tell Johny how I am situated as he thinks it kind of strange that I do not write
From you Truely & affectionate Son Joseph Leavitt
P.S. I received A letter from you & enclosed was one from Aunt Eliza tell Unkle
Joseph that I do not think that he would like any of the Farms out here now
I also saw Daniel Shaw four days ago & he was nicely.

[letters from Joseph Leavitt of the 5th Maine and his brother George of the 5th New York were copied into a ledger by their father John after the war as a remembrance of his sons, both of whom died in the war, George at 2nd Bull Run and Joseph at Spotsylvania]

MSS 66

              Fredericksburg, Virginia
                December 15, 1862
Dear beloved wife
                           I take thes
Opertunity to write you a few
lines to let you know that I am
alive  we have ben the hardest fight
we ever was in we have lost most
all of our Rigiment  We have but
72 men left fit for duty our
Curnall was wonded and our
Major we cannot find we expect
he is dead Johny Pinkham
was wounded I doe not know
how bad I did not see him
I cannot write aney
more at present I have a
chance to send it now
yours ever true  George L. Hersum

George L. Hersum, 5th New Hampshire Infantry

MSS 10801

   U.S. Steamer Currituck
                               Navy Yard Washington
                                     Dec 15th 1862
Sir
 I beg leave to State that on the 11th inst or the
following morning at Sunrise Lieut Comdr
Magan had the fleet devied[sic] into three divisions
and opened fire on the Batteries that we silence
the night before, but got no reply Seased
fireing & also state that Henry F. Smith
died at 2. O. Clock the 11th inst of his wounds
received the 10th, Also Captain S.A. Simmons
of the Coal Schooner Cadash that was wounded
on the 10th died the next day of his wounds
                               Very Respectfully
                                 Your Obt Servant
                                      T. J. Linnekin
                                         Acting Master Comdg
                                                 U.S.S. Currituck
Lieut Commanding
   Andrew A.  Harwood
       Commanding Potomac Flotilla
          Navy Yard Washington

MSS 15134

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

Mon. 15. 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 – ½ back fr. St.  head 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.
Our food is chiefly bacon – fried – griddle cakes without eggs or raising –
Silent again – wrote Mr. H.   A.G.G. [?] of our brigade has ordered a detail
of men to get crow bars &c. 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 tonight – &
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 al-
Hd. qrs. of 25th Reg. in charge of sick, guards & drummers–Reported to Col.
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 one 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 ½.  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.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

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

Dec 15th Monday
The firing begune
At 7 AM
the army of the
fall Back to the
Side of the Rever
on the Night
of the 15th   the
was all over in
in moring by
day lite on the
moring of the 16th
Col Rowley take
command of the Regt
to Day and
Genl Weatdan tuck
Command of the
Bredge  and Releve
Col Rowley

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12913

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

   Dec. 15th, ’62.
Called into line
of battle at 5 A.
M. this morning,
& stood until day-
light.
Sprinkled rain,
occasionally, last
night, as also
this morning.      

Commenced raining
violently about M.[meridian or midday], &
has rained constant-
ly since; & very wet
& disagreeable night
for soldiers.
My tent leaks.
Rain ceased about
9 ½ 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]

Monday, Dec. 15, 1862

Went up to Maths
got Dulce & rode
over to Uncle Dinsmores
where I met Mrs Hetty
Kerr  remained there
until about 8 oclock
then came on to
Stevenson Caldwells
who paid me interest
for mother on the
share of the widows
third  Came on to Smileys
who paid me his share
in full comeing to
mother Came on to
Uncle Cooks where
was Rob Maxwell
and a magnificent
supper. Raining some
this evening threatening
all day

MSS 10317

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

Monday  Mr Wright closed his bargain with Mr Barbee for the house
& left–I received a letter from James–He says Mrs Walters wd
leave on monday-That Wilmington is looking businesslike
again-But private families an get but little done for them
as ll the drays wagons & servant men are passed into Govern
-ment service to throw up entrenchments

MSS 6960