Head quarters, Sickles' Division.

Near Fredericksburg, V^a.

Sunday, Dec 21^st, 1862.

 

Dear Sister.

                        I received your very welcome letter written one week ago this evening. Your paper is excused. I wish you all a merry christmas and a happy new year. this will be my second Christmas in the Army I wonderd whether I am doomed to spend a third the same way. The approaching hollidays will be gloomy to many thousands more than they would have been, had this very foolish attack on the enemy at this point not been made. Any man possesed of good sense and a good spy glass could have satisfied himself in a very short time that the enemies position was to strong to be taken by storm. It cost many a brave fellows life, made many widows and orphans, & proved a disaster, which strongly tends / to demoralize our army. The same day we were defeated here our army in N carolina sufferd a defeat. Gen^l Banks expedition has proved a failure or the next thing to it. two of his vessels have reported in N York, unseaworthy, two at Philadelphia, and three at Baltimore, the five others at Beaufort, S.C. in the same condition. The greatest and best statesman of the presant day has resigned his office, "W^m H Seward". Gen^l Halleck has been removed. The next news will be, our army surrenderd to the rebs, Lincoln hung, and Jeff Davis monarch of the nation. It is very discourageing I must confess, but while there is life there is hope, "dont give up the ship". I believe the wrong thing was done, in the removal of Gen^l M^cClellan. If Gen^l M^cClellan had such a place as this, at Fredericksburg, to advance against, after Antietam, he done right in not advancing. I tell you / one thing, Sis, that "Little Mac" is the onley man we have got, who can match the Rebel Gen^l Lee. M^cClellan whiped the Rebs every time he fought them. There are reports of his takeing command again. if he does we will give him a welcome unparalleld in history.

 

            I was in the 62^nd P^a today, and saw Sam Herr he is well. he spoke of not receiving a letter from you for a long time. I am sorry that that box of mine has given you all so much trouble. if the Express C^o still refuse to take it, I can do no better than give it in your care to send me next winter, (for which it will be ready in good season) or keep it untill I get home. Well I must come the beg again Sally, you know we have not received any spons from Uncle Samule for almost six months and I have not had a cent since the 15^th of last August. the result is I have pretty near learned to do without money, my stock of paper and envelopes have run out, I beged this sheet / and this envelope from a fellow soldier. I want you or Ben to send me some paper the same size as this, and some medium size envelopes, wrap them up well and send them by mail. Kiss Harry for me. my love to yourself and all the rest.

                                                                       

Your affectionate Brother

Sam W Croft

 

Co E. 1^st Reg^t Ex Brigade

 

Care of Cap^t van B Bates

Provost Marshal                      Washington     DC

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