1862 December 21

Unlike the two prece
eding ones, these two
past weeks have been remarkably active, and
eventful, until the 10th however, every thing was
very quiet; on that day, we received
theorders
to march to attack G. Early on the morning
of the 11th, we left our encampment at Belle
Plain. Oh, wasn’t it cold! (The rebs having refused
to comply with Gen Burnside’s summons to
surrender, the city of F. to our forces.) over one
hundred peices of artillery opened simultaneously
on the ill fated city, and from day light
until dark a most furious bombardment was
kept up. Arrived at the banks of the
Rappahannock river, at three P. M. where
we encamped for the night, after making
a vain attempt to cross the river. Early
the next morning we were again turned out,
hitched up, and at 7. A. M we crossed the
river at Franklin’s crossing on a pontoon bridge,
and went into position about 2000 yds in front
of the rebel lines. The day has been very misty,
about three P. M, the mist began to disappear
raiseleft.
At this time, the 1st N. J. Brigade was moving
through the battery in column by division,
closed in mass: the rebs seeing this movement,
opened on us, a heavy and rapid fire from
their artillery; to this fire the 1st N. J. and 1st
N. Y. batteries replied vigorously, and until dark
a severe cannonading was kept up, all along
our lines, our guns being short range, we retired.
Early the next morning all our batteries right
and left opened, and to our fire the rebs replied
vigorously: until 11. A. M a most terrible action
ensued; we were repulsed at every point, at
this time both sides, as if by mutual consent
ceased fireing, and until two P. M. all was
very quiet. At 12. M. we were sent to take the
position occupied by an Ohio battery during
the forenoon, but who were unable to stand
their ground. Shortly after going into position,
a reb battery came into position exactly
opposite to us, upon which we trail
led our
guns, and opened a very rapid and heavy
fire, and which was so accurate that the
rebs did not return a single shot. we
entirely demolished this battery. Our battery
opening when it did proved a signal for our entire
line, and from two P. M. until four a [word lined through] terrible
fight ensued, the cannonading was perfectly
deafening, at four the rebs opened on us a cross
fire from a 20 pdr. gun, their first shot striking
one of our limber wheels, breaking it in pieces,
cutting off a serg’ts leg, and seriously wounding one
other man in the arm. Night coming on, the
conflict ceased, and found our army severely
whipped; we were repulsed in every undertaking,
especially on the right was our loss severe;
on the left we were more successful, and but
for the treachery of Gen Franklin
g, a most
decisive victory
was gainedwould have been
gained. The next two days we lay in position,
but nothing of a serious nature took place.
On the night of the 15th Burnside having
called a council of war. who deemed it unad-
visable to attack the rebs again; we re crossed
the river and returned to our respective camps.
Our loss has been from eight to twelve
thousand. With one or two exception’s, the
weather has been mild and pleasant.

1862 Dec[ember] 7

During the past two weeks, every thing
inside our lines has been very quiet. The
supply and ordnance trains have been very
active, hauling stores, in anticipation of the
attack on Fredreicsburg, as the rebs are
determined to defend the place to the last.
On the 4th, we were turned out at three A. M.,
harnessed and packed up, and by day light were
on the road again. At three P. M we arrived and
encamped on Belle Plain Landing. On the
5th a cold rain storm set in, which lasted all day,
when it turned to snow. Since and before that
day, the weather has been cool and very pleas-
-ant.

MSS 8493

1862 November 22

The past fortnight has been spent much the same
as the previous one. On the 12th were reviewed
and inspected by Lieut Col. Platt. Chief of Div.
Arty. At 8 A. M of the 17th we again took up
our line of march, for Stafford Ct. House, at
which place we arrived on the 19th after two days
very hard, and muddy marching. We are to make
Aquia Creek our base of supplies for this camp-
-paign. Expect orders every day to march to assault
the rebel works [word lined through] around Fred^‘e’ricsburg,
which are very strong and formidable. A surrender
of that place has been demanded by Gen
Burnside. The weather has been quite cool. On
the 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd, we had a very severe rain
storm, which rendered the roads unfit for traveling.


MSS 8493

1862 November 9

The past fortnight has been one of unusual
activity: another grand advance of the army is in
progress, and the rebs are falling back rapidly.
On the 28th and 29th the rebs sent another flag of
truce. On the 30th were relieved by the Baltimore
Light Battery. From W. we marched to the south
side of Champton Pass, and encamped for the
night. To day we passed through Keedysville, and
over Antietam creek, where the battle of the 17th


of Sept began. Early the next morning were again on the
road, passed over one old battle field at the pass,
passed through Burketsville, and at five P. M we
arrived at Berlin where we are to cross the river
into Va. Were turned out again in two hours
to hitch up, and cross the river immediately, which
we did, and at midnight we encamped at Lovits-
ville. At one P. M the next day, we hitched up
and moved a short distance, and joined the div.
from which we had been deta tched some time.
On the 7th and 8th, we rested at White Plains,
where we had quite a fall of snow, rendering the
roads unfit for traveling. Gen McClellan has
been superceded by Gen. A. E. Burnside, thus for
some petty, contemptible, sneaking jealousy, on
the part of that thing, called President,
more harm has been done to this army than
if we had suffered a bad defeat. The army
will not fight as well under any Gen. as under
McClellan. (It is just a lucky thing for you,
you poor, miserable, weak minded rail splitter,
that the soldiers of this army can’t get you
into their hands, or I should very much fear
for your personal safety. Such a thing as you
for a President, I would not let you oversee
a gang of coal heavers.) On the 9th we were
joined by the 11th corps at Thoroughfare Gap.
After a short march, we encamped at New
Baltimore. Our 1st Lieut. has been appoin-


-ted to a Captaincy, by Gen Franklin, one of our
corporals to the 2nd Lieut. The weather has
been pleasant and cool.

1862 October 26

The past three weeks have been remarkably
quiet and dull. Were reviewed by the President
and Gen Mc Clellan. On the 9th the battery
marched to Hagerstown to be repaired and
painted. During the night of the 11th, Stuart and his
rebel cavalry crossed the Potomac and made
a raid through this state into Chambersburg, Pa.
destroying a large amount of Government property
in that place, and escaped across the river
without the loss of a man. On the 16th we were
ordered to Williamsport to relieve the 3rd N. Y.
battery, who were on piquet at that place
The 26th (to day) was quite stormy: during the afternoon
the rebs sent in a flag of truce to Gen Henley.
Gen H. W. Slocum our div. Commander has
been appointed to the command of the 12th Corps,
Gen Brooks of the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Div. has been
appointed to the command of our div. The weather
since we have been at W. has been pleasant
and cold. And at times very windy, several heavy
frosts have fallen.

1862 October 5

On the 29th of Sept Capt Porter resigned his
commission and left for home. On the 1st of this
month G. W. Clarke another of our men was
very suddenly taken from us by death, having
been sick but a few days. C. C. Currier also
died in the Hospital at Fort Monroe.
New regts are constantly joining the army.
Pleasant and mild.

1862 September 28

Every thing this week has been very quiet. Day in
camp at the St James College all day of the 22nd.
At noon of the 23rd we harnessed up, and marc-
-hed to Bakersville, where we are to remain some
time to recruit our strength, and to repair the
battery. A number of our men are quite unwell,
I myself am quite unwell. Pleasant and.
Warm