Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-01-01
From the Wisconsin State Journal.

FROM the army OF the POtOmdCs
We are permitted to publish the follow
ing letter from B. D. ATwELL, of the
company of sharpshooters from this State,
to his father in this city. His estimates,
both of our own and the enemy's loss are,
of course, greatly exaggerated
CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA,(
December 18th, 1862.
DEAR FATHER Il am, through the
kind providence of God, enabled to write
you few lines once more. The great
battle before Fredericksburg has been
fought, and we are repulsed with the loss
of from 10000 to Is 900 men killed and
wounded. 1t makes no difference what
papers call our loss know that it cannot
tall short of that number.
On Dec. 18th, we marched to the bank
of the river, but the bridges not all being
done, it was impossible for US to Cross
Our regiment was detailed to go back to
camp to guard the division train. SO
back we plodded, aud in the morning
once more started and came to the river.
There was not much musketry, but plenty
Of artillery fighting. On the 18th, our
troops crossed as fast as possible on the
pontoons, but our turn did not come on
that day, so we camped on the bank of
the river.
13th.-Our division crossed last night,
but for some reason we were not ordered
across. About ii A. M, the fighting be-
gan in earnest, aud was kept up until
o'clock at night-one continual stream of
musketry land artillery. Antietam can
hardly be compared with it. The rebels
were in breastworks, arranged so as to
form half circle. Our men charged re-
peatedly, but were always repulsed. The
rebels had the choice of position, being
on a range of hills. Our artillery was Of
no use to Us, but theirs was served with
the deadlest effect. l say we were re.
pulsed, but still we held our ground. Our
troops were repeatedly within fifty yards
of the batteries, but could not stand the
fire and had to fall back Still our reg-
ment was not ordered to cross the river.
l4th.--This morning. we crossed to the
city. Oar wounded are being brought in
By thousands. About one quarter of the
city is burned, and the rest might as we'll
be, for shot, shell and the soldiers have
ruined the balance. Everything is taken.
aud if fit for use is used, and if not, bro
ken. Sets of china, crockery of all kinds.
bedding, clothing and furniture. even to
pianos, are torn and utterly Destroyed
We found plenty of -four, beans and to-
bacco. and of course appropriated them
We lived high for one day. There is
nothing but skirmishing to day. Our
pickets still hold part of the battlefield.
15th.-This morning our Co., with Co.'S
3, E and Il were sent out on picket duty.
The picket line is about 400 yards from
the rebel batteries, and about 200 from
their pickets. We have orders not to fire.
but they fire at every head they see. Our
company is held in reserve. Nothing
occurred more than usual on picket
simply an alarm once in a while.
l6th-3:3O A. M.-We are told to re.
lieve our picke,s, so G is put in the adj
vance. 1t began raining soon after going
on our posts, bat we have TO sit and bear
it. At daylight we were told to fall back
as skirmisher5 to the river. What was our
CONSERVATION to find that all our troops
had recrossed the river. The poatoon
bridge had to be laid for US to cross az it
was taken up thinking all had come over.
We found about $50 stragglers, and
many are yet in the city expect, but we
are once more across the river in our old
camp. Co. G covered the retreat of the
Army of the Potomac, so you see we did
something in the great struggle. I tell
you we were favored in not being called
10, for this has been one of tbs most
bloody fights of the war. We never lost
30 many men in fight before. What our
next move will be, l cannot tell. Our COM
pany did not lose a man.
Levi Inglesbee has been sick, but is get
ting we'll now quite fast. All the rest of
the Madison boys are we'll.
$4,000 or 10000 men killed and
wounded in every month, must tell on the
fighting population of the North. think
the rebels lost about $1,000 men in the
last fight.
l am well, but not in the best kind of
spirits, as you must imagine.
1t is getting late, SO must close. My
best respects to all.
Yours, &C., B. D. ATwELL.