Camp near Fredericksburg

Va. December 17^th 1862

 

Dear Brother

                        Yours of the 2^nd came to hand day before yesterday and where do you think it found me? It found me on the Battle Field near Fredericksburg. On last Thursday morning at five and a half Oclock, our men commenced shelling the Rebels in and around Fredericksburg. I believe it was the heaviest and fastest firing that I ever heard being one continual roar from morning until night. / But our men succeeded in driving back the Rebels, a short distance from the river, and then throwed across the river several pontoon bridges, and some troops crossed over that night. The next day (Friday) our Regiment crossed the river, and remained there all that night to guard the bridges. Fighting going on all day. The next day (Saturday) we had a hard and dangerous time of it. Our Regiment went to the front, and the Rebels commenced shelling us and they fell thick and fast / on every side. there was one killed out of Company K his name was Crosier Several wounded out of the Regiment. John Harding and Henry Hollingsworth both of Co. I were slightly wounded. We remained that night within less than a half a mile of the Rebels and could hear the Pickets fire (every now and then) all night.

 

The next day the Rebels shelled us again but we was under cover of an embankment, and consequently, was safe. / The next day (Monday) our men sent in a flag of truce and got off all our dead and wounded. That was then the fifth day we had been fighting. That night our whole force withdrew to this side of the river. We saw that we could drive them no further and it was useless to remain there under the circumstances. We are now on one side of the Rapahannock River and the Rebels on the other. What the next move will be, it is impossible for me to say 

 

Dec 17^th

Henry is with the Regiment, he is in good health. he has been here about two weeks. He had our things expressed to Frederick-City and had to leave there before the goods arrived and consequently we have not got them yet, and do not know that we ever will. I suppose that they are still at Frederick-City. The goods that were sent to the Company has not come yet. / We have been paid off and I can get along without them things. I will have to pay high prices but I am a going to live as comfortable as possible if it takes all I make. I bought a pair of boots today (gave six dollars for them) You wanted to know how many of the old stock was left of Co. I. I cannot tell exactly sometimes more than others. at present there is about twenty. A great many are sick. Some have died, and some discharged, and / others are on detached duty, so you see we have but a small Company left.

 

Well Sant I would like very much to attend school with you. I imagine that I could enjoy myself better that way than soldering. But I am contented to remain here a while longer. And as long as I have good health I expect to remain satisfied for there is no use to be any other way. Well Sant I am tired a writing and will close (snowed a little today) 

 

I am much obliged to you for those postage stamps, for I was just out. Write soon and often and I will do the same. Before I forget it let me say, "Christmas-Gift?

 

Would that I were there to take dinner with you a Christmas, but let me ask you to think of me on that occasion. I am in very good health at this time and hope that this may find you and the rest in good health.

Harry

 

From W H Speer

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