John L. Smith to Mary Smith, 25 November 1862
Camp Near Fredricksburg Va Nov 25/62
Dear Wife
I again take an opportunity to write you a few lines we left Sulpher-Springs the morning after I wrote you that last letter stating the capture of our Col. &c. we started about nine Oclock in the morning we had just passed over a hill but a few rods from where we had been in camp when the rebs on the other side of the river drove in our pickets and very soon had a battery in position they opened fire just as our baggage wagons got fairly on the road I tell you they threw shells after us pretty lively for a short time till we got our guns into position the rebs as a general thing dont have as good gunners as we do their shells did not do a great deal of damage their was three on our side that was struck by shells one a Lieutenant of the battery badly wounded and has since died / another had his arm taken of and one in our regiment slightly wounded in the leg there was considerable noise but it did not amount to much. we are now on the oposite side of the river from Fredricksburg on a high hill overlooking the city. it is quite a place and looks very well from where we are encamped but I cant say how it will look when we come to go into the city the rebs have burned the bridge so we cant cross the river till we can construct something to cross on we can see the rebs on the other side of the river and by talking very loud can converse with them I have not been close enough to the river myself to talk with them but have seen any quantity of rebel soldiers on the banks of the river we have got any quantity of guns in position ready to shell the city Burnside gave them 16 hours to remove the the women & children from the city and if they did not surender then he would shell the / city perhaps the ball will open in the morning if so the city is doomed for we have guns enough to batter it down in an hour we cant see any guns that they have on the other side of the river if they have any in position it is rather cold for one to write so I will close my health is good now the most that troubles me is I dont get letters from you often enough please write if it is not more than a line and obligey
Your Affectionate
Husband
Give my love to all John
5313
DATABASE CONTENT
(5313) | DL0805.001 | 60 | Letters | 1862-11-25 |
Tags: Artillery, Death (Military), Destruction of Land/Property, Fighting, Guns, Injuries, Nature, Weather
People - Records: 2
- (1431) [writer] ~ Smith, John Low
- (1432) [recipient] ~ Smith, Mary ~ Barker, Mary
Places - Records: 1
SOURCES
John L. Smith to Mary Smith, 25 November 1862, DL0805.001, Nau Collection