Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-12-30
Battle Of Fredericksburg.
CAMP OPPOSITE FREDERICKSBURG, VA,
Dec. IS. 1862.

Dec IS, 1862.
FRIEND Cover We have been across
the Rappahannock and had another battle.
A week ago to-day, our guns opened upon
the enemy from the Heights on this side all
along the river, from Falmouth to about
one mile below Fredericksburgh, and kept
it up most Of the day. Two pontoon
BRIDGES were thrown across in the morning
about bali a mile below the town. The
enemy's sharpshootCers stationed along
the bank Of The river and in the houses
near, resisted throwing the bridges across
Just at the lower end Of the town until
night. This drew the fire Of our guns
upon the city and many houses were burnt.
Just at night detachment IF our troops
crossed over IN boats and took seventy prs
oners and returned. Three bridges were
then thrown across the river. Early on
Friday morning our troops commenced
crossing, the enemy making no resistance
to the movement. Our Division, Double
day's,) was assigned position on the ex-
IRENE left, and crossed last, our brigade
being the last to cross of the division. AS
we assembled the bank on the opposite side
the enemy opened fire upon us. They
seeming to have an especial spita against
the big Hats" we moved down to or po-
sition and biyouaced for the night. There
had been but little fighting this day. On
Saturday mo ming the battle opened with
artillery in front Of where we lay. In the
mean time Sumner and Hooker had cross
ed at the upper bridge and taken up their
position on the right and center. Smiths
corps was on our right, and ours, Trey
noIls corps) on the left. and our division
on the extreme left, the left of our brigade
resting on the river. We moved down the
river a distance of about four miles from
Fredericksburg, driving the enemy out ofa
piece of woods as wewent, land being under
a severe fire Of solid shot, shell, grape and
canister, until after dark, but thanks to
good fortune and bitches, together with
the cnemy's bad firing, we met with but
small loss. During this time the battle
ragged heavily on the right and center.
Gibbon, our old commander, took some
two miles Of railroad, but is troops then
hroke and ran. He was wounded in the
head and arm. As be was attempting to
rally bis men, it is said, he held up his
wounded arm. and swore hat he had rath-
er have two regiments of his old Iron
Brigade, tn IN the whole division he then
commanded.
Night finally closed the firing except
among the skirmishers who kept it up
continually. Sunday morning opened
with a brisk musketry fight up towards the
center which soon ceased, the balance of
the day and Monday were remarkable only
fortheir great quietress under the eircum-
stances, which was only interrupted by the
skirmislling AID an occasional cannon shot.
Monday night soon after dark, we got up
and fell back to this side of the river, ac-
complishing, Think. one of the most sue
cessful retreats from before the face of an
enemy, on record. We were over the river
four days and three night within easy
range Of the enemy's guns and under arms
all the time. Sleeping upon our arms, our
lullaby was secesh bullets whistling over us
and striking with dull "thud' among and
around Us.
/ sum up with my opinions, which, as
| have not seen single paper since we re-
turned, may not conform with those gen
orally received. We were not whipped, al
though we did not whip the enemy. Our
movement was scarcely more than recon
noisance in force. We found the enemy
too strongly entrenched, fell back to assume
better position. When we make a real
attack upon them, think it will be upon
the right. / scarcely know the amount of
our loss. | estimated it at five or six
thousand. Our regiment lost one man kill
Sd in Company II, and six wounded, one
in Co. f; other Grant County Companies
escaped loss entirely. We are now en-
camped about mile back from the river
opposite Fredericksburg, awaiting the next
movement. Ii is quite cold here, and
write under tent-ay which is our only
protection from the weather We expect
to have wedge tents soon. The health Of
the regiment is good.
Yours Truly. r.