Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-02
The Fifteenth at Frederlcksburg.
U. S. GENERAL HOSPITAL,
Washington, D. c., Dec. %, 1862.

that echo away over hill and valley, to the
remotest parts of our great land, from the roar
of contending artillery and the rattle of rifle
and musket, on the bloody plains and hard
fought fields, here in Virginia Each separ-
ate city, and village, and hamlet, asks after
the personal experiences Of "our boys"
Knowing, then, the interest with which our
friends turn away from the generalities of
battle, to inquire for ''what did you see, and
do, and hear" venture, at the risk of appear
ing somewhat egotistical, to narrate the part
the 18th Massachusetts acted, and my own
adventures, in the battle of Fredericksburg.
For some time previous to the battle we had
been unusually busy, in building log cabins
under the impression that we were to spend
the winter on the east bank of the Rappahan-
mock. Many of us had completed buildings
on which we had bestowed labor and thought
enough, at least, to have constructed home
for life time; and now, just as we moved in,
we could but be somewhat disappointed to
hear a rumor that we were on the point of
moving. Many resolutely refused to believe
it anything but camp rumor, and declared
that congress ought to pass stringent laws
against the propagation of such false stories,
whose only object was to retard our work and
make us uncomfortable.
Thus disposing of the matter, we lay down
on the evening of the 10th inst. determined
not to be disturbed, and consequently rested
quietly, until ''the wee sma' hours ayont the
twa." Although we had settled the matter
so much to our own satisfaction, the powers
above were not disposed SO to let it rest The
result was, that early on the morning of the
18th we were awakened and ordered to be
ready to move at daylight; and accordingly,
as the sun came up over the eastern hills we
found ourselves on the way. Presently
bang! bang bang bang bang bang! for a
moment startled US, as we counted the heavy
booming of a full battery, with as much regu-
larity as if firing salute. We felt then that
we had work to do, and as we wound over the
brow of a hill to get into position, many anx-
lous glances were cast across the valley, as if
to see how hard job it was 30 be. Our ar
tillery did not have to wait long for its reply.
Here and there we caught glimpses of lit
tie puff of thick smoke, that rapidly dispersed
itself in the clear cold air of that winters
morning, along the hills, over the river, and
bang and flutter! that we had learned to know
so well on the peninsula and at Antetam. 1t
told us our foes were awake and ready for u.s.
| Presently we took up our position under
cover Of hill directly opposite to the
upper part of the town, and then we
lay all day listening to the quick heavy
boom of the cannon, that swept back
| and forth across the valley, and echoed and
rolled and echoed back again, until we SEEM
ed breathing an atmosphere of sound. In all
my eXperience-at Yorktown, in front of
Yorktown, at Malvern Hill, OF in the late
campaign in Maryland-I have not heard any
such cannOnading. 1t seemed one continued
sound throughout the livelong day.
Just at night came the order attention."
and our brigade was quickly in motion, march
ing rapidly towards the pontoon which had
just been completed. The enemy saw us as
we emerged from our shelter, and sent the
swift messengers of death over our heads.
Thank God they went over our heads, and we
were soon across the bridge, and in line of
battle just at the waters edge. Danas brig
ade had preceded us in boats, and were en-
gaging the enemy in the streets. The rattle
of their rifles was fearfully distinct, and occa-
sionally we could detect the humming of the
enemy's balls, reminding us of the time when
we stirred up the bees in the days of child
hood. These bees have the sting to them, as
l know by experience. But of that further
more. Twas ticklsh business laying there in
the dim of evening, and could but feel anx-
ious. Would we be able to hold our footing
in the town ?? Was Balls Bluff to be re-
enacted and we driven into the river? Such
thoughts would intrude themselves upon the
bravest hearts; but as night deepened the fir
ing died away, and tired with the days excite
ment the tired soldier lay down on the river
bank and slept. For myself, wandered thro'
the deserted streets, stumbling occasionally
over the bodies of friend and foe and citizen,
as they lay in that sleep that knows no wax
ing, regardless alike of the hardness of their
couch and the winters cold
AT last laid me down and quickly Joined
the sleeping throng. Morning came, cold
and cherries. Our men were quickly under
arms, and filing out into the principal street
of the place awaited the progress of events.
We felt sure that this was to be the day of
battle We were mistaken, for the day was
occupied in getting our troops across the river
and placing them in various positions SO as to
have them, like the old lady's broom that lay
in the middle of the floor, ''handy." One in
cident came under my notice during the day
that may serve to illustrate the destructive
ness of shell.
As one of our long columns was deploying
through one of the streets, soldier stepped
from the ranks to pick up something that had
attracted his attention on the sidewalk. A
shell burst directly in front of him and
blew his body to atoms. His head flew
up, and came down on the pavement with
heavy ''thud," while one of his arms passed
over the heads of his comrades to the opposite
side of the street. The remainder of the
corpse could hardly be found To use west
ern expression, she was pretty effectually
lctped out"
That night we again slept on the sidewalks
of Fredericksburg but the boys couldn't see
the point" of laying on the icy stones, and so
they quickly transferred the warm feather
beds and soft mattresses from the adjoining
buildings, to our line of battle, and then we
slept, many said better than they had done
since we left dear old Worcester.
Before the sun had dispelled the fog on the
morning of the 18th inst, we moved forward,
and took our position as pickets behind the
town. Bear in mind that we were near the
upper part of the town, on the right of our
line of battle, and the rebels had been driven
entirely out of that part of the town, on the
evening we first entered, though they still
held few streets farther down toward our
left. Our picket duty was short, however, for
some time before noon, an Aid ordered us to
fall back in squads of half dozens, so as not to
attract the enemy's fire so much as we should
to move in a mass. This occupied some time,
and long before we could be reformed under
cover Of the friendly terrace where we had
spent the preceding night, we heard heavy
firing from both rifles and artillery, down on