Camp near Van Buren Arkansas
                            December 11th  1862
Dear Father, Mother, & Sister
                              Having an opportunity
of sending you a letter, I will write a few
lines.  I am well and in good health at
this time.  How are you getting along up
there?  I hope you are all well and that
the Federals have not interrupted you.
We are living a pretty hard life here in
army  We have nothing to eat but corn bread
&  beef    the
^ and ^ beef is not first rate, as a general thing
and some times we have a little sugar, issued
to us.  We used to think we saw hard
times; but I never saw hard times untill
since I joined the army.  We have just
had another hard fight, it came off
last Sunday.  The fight commenced early
in the morning and ended about dark,
The Federals loss was pretty heavy.  I don’t
know how many they had killed & wound
ed.  We took 450 prisoners or more.   Our
loss was not so heavy as the Federals
by considerable.  I was not in the fight
                  re
myself.  The^ was about twenty men inclu
ding Jas. Dyer, John Douglass, and myself
put out as flankers Saturday night to
protect our camp and the army was moved

[page 2]
out about midnight and we flanked
were not released until about sun up took
        Sunday
next Saturday morning we then undertook
to overtake the army (it being sent 15 miles
from camp to where the battle was fought)
but were cut off by a squad of the Feds
and did not get to the army until
after night sunday night.  We captured
a considerable quantity of property, 36 wagons
besides armes and other things.  After the
battle was over the Feds sent in a flag of
truce to Gen. Hindsman asking for an ar-
mistice of 12 ours which was arranged
granted and Sunday night our army
retreated (I don’t know what for, for we
whipped the Feds) and we are now here
on the Arkansas River (I must hurry for
I will have to go on guard duty directly)
  I would love to see you all again
and eat some more good old home cooking
Jarrett, Mr Waddell, Austin, John and
Henry Doulass are all well and so
are the rest of the boys of my acquain-
tance, none of them were hurt in the
fight-  I must come to a close.  In By Sending my love
to all of my friendes, and Reserve a portion for
your Selfes.  I will not spend my christmas at
home with the girls this winter. Your Son & brother Charles

[letter of an unidentified Confederate soldier]

MSS 8474-aa

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

December                Thursday 11                                
     Started at 9.A.M.  We went four
or five miles.  within 2 miles of
the river.  Heavy fireing all
day at Fr.burg and P. Royal and
at one point on the river between

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 4448

Harpers Ferry Va.
Dec 11th /62

Dear Mother,
I hasten
to drop you a few
lines to let you know
where I am and that
we are on the march
for Burnsides Army
We are to be the rear
guard. Of all the re-
inforcements which are
now leaving here.-40
thousand or more.
We left Williamsport
night before last, at
night-fall and arrived
here yesterday morning
at day-break.  It was
a very cold-night and
the ground was very slippery.

[page 2]
Our horses being very
smoothly shod, we
had a great deal of
trouble in crossing
the Maryland Heights
We are going to have
some difficulty in
reaching Burnsides, as
We have not time to
get our horses shod
But you know Hank
always looks out for
No.one.  I went this
morning to have my
horse shod.  I had
to go before day-light
and then there were
some a-head of me.
but I am all-right
now.  I  have a good
horse and hes[sic] is rough
shod this morning.  I have
a Sabre or Sword, a Carbine
and a Navy revolver  I
am fully prepared to meet
the Enemy and I will make
good use of the means put
in my hands.  Death to traitors.

[letter of William Henry Redman of Co. C, 12th Illinois Cavalry, either ends abruptly here or the remainder is missing]

MSS 7415

Fort Tillinghurst, Va. Dec 11th / 1862

Dear Priscilla,
                      I received yours of
Dec 7th, last night, I was very glad to hear
from you, not having heard for more
than a week, I am very glad to know that
you are all well at Home, and I pray
God you may continue so, Nothing of
importance has transpired here since
I last wrote you,  We have had nothing to
do of any account since the cold
weather came on, scarcely any drilling,
or fatigue work,  hardly enough to keep
us from rusting out,  I will endeavor
to find out something about Dr Wrights
box, if possible, I dont think he will
ever hear from it, if he dont soon, there
has been two or three lost that was sent
to our company,  Earp is still in the
Hospital, he goes out every pleasant day.
he is very weak, but slowly recovering.
Mrs Chandler has not arrived her yet,

[page 2]
She is expected here on Saturday next,
Mrs Carroll is  here, she has been here
two or three weeks, Capt. c. is having a
room (or two rooms) fitted up in the barracks
here for the accomodation of himself
and wife, Carrol’s wife is boarding at
a Dutchmans house near here, for which
Carroll pays three dollars per week,  Carroll
takes his meals in the company, and sleeps
at the Dutchman’s, nights,  There are quite
a number of women here, Wives of the
Officers, a quite a number of Privates, at
the different forts, have their wives with
them, I dont want mine however, for the
good or bad reasons, that I have before
mentioned to you, (Dont be offended.)
You ask me about our hospital, We have
the best hospital of any of the forts,
it is a building about sixty feet long,
and thirty feet wide, not including the
cookhouse, and other buildings,  That
are connected with it, it is well ven-
tilated, and well warmed, and Kept

[page 3]
perfectly neat and clean.  I recieved your
letter with Cal dates,and tooth picks.
To-day I have been writing a letter
to Father, telling him how my acco-
unt stands with Joseph, I have
written to him, of the promise
that my  brother made me when
I left him in Cal, that if anything
happened to him (Joseph), I was
to have the land on which the
Ice Houses stands, I have asked
Father to come and see you, and
talk the matter over, I think he
will come, if he does, you can tell
him of the promises that have been
made to me from Cal,  I had the pro-
mise of being paid in installments
of twenty five and fifty dollars, from
my brother when I left him,  All I
have received amounts to nothing
from him,  I hav’nt time to write
more, now, God bless you and ours is
ever the prayer of your loving husband

[page 4]

I am very much in want of some
Postage Stamps–
That box of cigars, that Mr Edwards gave
me last Sunday, I have sold to one of
my mess, for three dollars, Cash, to be paid
pay day, (Dont tell out of the  house,) I wish
he would call again,    R.

       
Robert P. Mansfield, Co. M., 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery

MSS 1242

                                U.S. Steamer Currituck
                    Three miles below Port Conway
            Rappahannock Rriver Dec 11th 1862
Sir
  We have received from Schooner Sarah Minge
of Philada (25) twenty five tons of Coal more or less
for the use of this vessel
                               Very Respectfully
                                 Your Obt Servant
                                      T. J. Linnekin
                                         Acting Master Comdg
                                                 U.S.S. Currituck
Lieut Commanding
   Samuel Magan
       Lieut Commandng &c &c

MSS 15134

                                      Camp in the Field 2 miles from
                                             Fredericksburg, Dec 11th 1862
Dear Sister Helen,
                             Well here we are way
down here and we are in prospect of having
some fun to night or tomorrow as our
batteries have commenced shelling the
city and they are building pontoon
bridges across to river.  we are camped
within 2 miles of the city and the firing
is so distinct and heavy that it is almost
painful, our batteries commenced firing
at 5 oclock this morning and have
kept it up almost constantly all day
and I have just been down within
½ mile of the river and the city is on

fire in several places.  I saw distinctly
regiments of rebel troops passing in
the streets and could hear the cries
of the women as now and then a shell
shattered a house,  Oh its rare fun
to stand back and witness a battle
between artillery and it is a most
splendid sight but the rebels have
not returned our fire except very
seldom during the day but their sharp
shooters have been very dangerous and
troublesome to our troops – as they pick
off our men while building to bridges
but we have got 3 bridges across and
will probably pass over to night or in
the morning   there are lots of troops
here and a large number of cavalry
and artillery and although we shall
probably loose a large number yet
I think that we will occupy the
city tomorrow and drive the rebels
back to Richmond.

     Genl Wright is Genl no longer   it
seems as the Brigade was all split
up as soon as we arrived here and
the Regiments sent to different Brigades
but I shall continue with the Col
I suppose as he will want a waiter still
All of Cols Baggage that we brought
so far from Fairfax has got to be
left behind as no officer or soldier
can carry any baggage except his blanket
and what he carries on his back, and
I shall have to walk after this I suppose
for I think I told you that I rode all
the way down through Maryland in
his ambulance as he was thrown from
a wagon and hurt so that I could
not ride his horse and had to be
carried in an ambulance, and I don’t
know as he will go into action with
the Regiment as he is not well enough
yet to sit on his horse but he may
walk along in the rear

     I suppose you have heard all about how
he was hurt by being thrown from the
ambulance while going to Washington
a few days before we marched   well
he was carried to a house in the city and
he sent for me to come and take care
of him and I stayed there 2 or 3 days
until he was well enough to ride to
camp and have rode with him ever
since but it seems that my ride is at
an end and that we should all have
to walk all the way to Richmond as
we are going to be there Jan 1st ’63.
     Well I don’t know as I shall take a very
active part in the battle tomorrow as
I have given over my gun and every
thing but I shall carry some of the
Col’s things and shall be present
to witness if not to participate in the
action.  God grant that I may pass
through it safely and that all our

[The rest of this letter is written on the top margin on page one.]
friends may be spared
to return home in a few
months with many honors
and may God speed
the Right and give
victory to our army.
I will write again
after the battle if
I am am [sic] alive and
able.  I enjoy it
vastly down here, so
near the rebels and
danger but shall
look out for No. 1
I assure you.
   with love to all the
folks
              Good by
                        Jim..

James Howard, 15th Connecticut

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12668

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

Thurs 11. Slept some – I write now while the roar
of batteries fills the air – Heard signal (?) [Butler’s notation] guns
at ¼ to 5 – & at 5 ½ batteries began & are roaring
now – abt. 6.1/2 A.M. – we are just thru. breakfast.
Prayers over.  A Sergeant comes in & says Col. “it
is wish of our Co. that Capt. ____ shall not lead us
into battle” – want another man – The shells are
heard flying thro. air – (I copy now from field note book)
The Regt. were ordered under Arms, moved to brow
of a hill, stood in the mud awhile & ordered back.
Major Brown & I rode over to a hill top & witnessed the
bombardment of City, our batteries for about 3 miles up
& down the river poured in a tremendous rain of shot &
shell.  City on fire at dift. points – Burnside & Staff rode
past & it sd. crossed river on pontoon bridge.  We were
distant about ¾ of a mile fr. the City just in front
of Sumners hd. qrs.  Got Supper in Mess tent wh. had been
moved to make room for hospitals.  The wounded
came in in Ambulances, abt. 20 or 30.
Rebel batteries silent.  hardly set down before again
ordered off, joined regt. on hill – It was dark, an artillery
train crossed our column & cut it off – we & 13 N H
wandered in darkness unable to find river.  I rode back
to Sumners hd. Qrs. for Guide – Was ordered to Wilcox’s
could n’t find it – returned to Regt.   moved on at
double quick – men exhausted – some fell out.  My
bag oats untied & lost half – reached R.R.   halted, guide
came at length & we reached river – & crossed on pontoon
bridge without accident.  pitch fires  at either end

Showed us the way:  passed up the river street
(dismounted to look at the) houses shattered & burnt by the
bombardment, turned up to the next lt, halted in brigade
line   stacked arms & ordered men to make themselves
comfortable for the night:  threw out pickets up sts.
saw what we supposed rebel lines & fires on hill about
mile from City   in rear of City.  Fine st.   well built: The
troops tore down fences to warm themselves, a chilly
night.  Thank God we had not to face the rebel
batteries in crossing as I passed.  Officers took up
qrs. for night in best houses with sentries in house &
at gate.  Ours is a small neat cottage & comfortable.
first book I took up was McGee on Ephesians.
presented to Miss Woodward by E. C. Alexander N. Y.
Evidently a religious family.  Every thing here just
as family left it.  I write before a nice wood fire
in kitchen,  Slept on floor, clothes all on: Nothing
but hard tack & coffee for breakfast, but feel much
better.  Saw three dead rebel soldiers in our st.
Stiff in death – & two of them horribly mangled with
Shot & shell, trees torn to pieces & fine mansions
shattered, others in ruins, letters, papers & books
scattered about.  It is now morng.

Major John Kelty Brown of the 25th New Jersey
Brig-General Orlando Bolivar Willcox commanded the 1st Division of Burnside’s 9th Corps
The Rev. Robert James McGhee.  Expository lectures on the Epistle to the Ephesians

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

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

     Dec. 11th, ’62.
At 5 A.M. this
morning ordered to

march at 6 ½;
aborted at that
time, marched over
to the Murfreesboro
pike, & out it a-
bout 8 or 9 miles,
skirmishing with
the enemy near 3
hours; started
back about 5 P.M.
& arrived in Camp
at 8 ½.
Reported that we
fired into our
men taken at Harts-
ville, & returning
from Murfreesville
where they were pa-
roled.

     We were said to be
within three miles of
Lavergne; at which place
it’s reported, the rebels
were “packed up & ready
to start.”

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 10547-b

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

Dec trus-day  11th
March at 6
Oclock the furingin
Comance this
morng at 6 oclock
at Freckburgh
[word lined out] Armey   Whe in
camp with the [-]
[-] 5 miles from
Freedburgh to Night

at Wiete Glok Church
the Army crose into
Fredburgh to Night 30 000
the over 5 Pontons
Bridge   Whe Burnd the City

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12913

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

[entries for December 8-10 were written with an ink that has faded almost to invisibility with only a few words still legible]

Thursday, Dec. 11, 1862

Was at Uncle
Will Dinsmores last
night Came to
Maths early in the
morning  Came with
them up to Middle
town had dinner at
Hamiltons
Went up to McNultys
with Cous Walt [A. Mc?]
Will remain all
night
Clear beautiful day

MSS 10317