10 December 1862

Jackson, Richard H., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

They are ordered to cook three days rations and to cross the Fredricksburg river. He discusses his payment details.

GLC07705.119

17 December 1862

Jackson, Richard H., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

He provides a lengthy description of the bombardment of Fredricksburg. The captain got sick so the company was in his command.

GLC07705.120

January 20, 1863

Jackson, Richard H., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

He copies out orders from Burnside regarding a meeting with the enemy. He includes a song, "Battle of Fredericksburg, Va."

GLC07705.129

December 14, 1862

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp at Brooks Station. Writes, "there is a terrible Battle Raging at Fredericksburg the canonading [sic] yesterday was tremendous, i believe it exceeded any thing i ever heard, either Malvern hill or Sharpsburg, it is still raging this morning having commenced at day light, we have heard no Particulars of any account yet more than they say the Rebels yesterday had Rather the advantage and cut our men down awfull i suppose to day will decide the Battle as we heard that Genl Seigel arrived there last night with sixty thousand fresh troops..." Comments on…

GLC02155.071

December 17, 1862

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp at Brooks Station. Comments on the Battle of Fredericksburg: "Our company mad [sic] a lucky escape in not getting into this last Battle, All the Rest of our Division were in it and as usual were the first or nearly so in the fight we were told last evening the loss in the Division that is the Reserve Corps in killed wounded & missing is something over 21 hundred we have not heard the loss of our Army But is must have Been severe and the worse is we gained nothing as they have fell back again to this side of the River and the Rebels again ocupy [sic]…

GLC02155.072

1863

Chappel, Alonzo, 1828-1887

Engraving

Title: Attack on Fredericksburgh-Dec. 1862

One engraving entitled "Attack on Fredericksburgh-Dec. 1862" dated 1863. Depicts a scene from the Battle of Fredericksburgh, December 11-15, 1862. In the forefront of the image, Union forces use boats and pontoon bridges to cross a river into Fredericksburg. engraved after an original painting by Alonzo Chappel in the possession of the publishers at time of engraving. Engraver unknown.

GLC08878.0158

16 December 1862

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bishoff Jr.

Swisher has set up a house which has a fire place that he can use to cook. He suspects Bishoff has already heard about the battle of Fredericksburg, so he will not bother to give him all the particulars. His regiment fought for two days with artillery across the Rappahannock. Union men put a pontoon bridge across the Rappahannock. The Rebels were throwing shells as fast as they could in an attempt to knock the pontoon to pieces, but they could not get in range of it. His was the first Union Brigade was to advance through the town. Rebels shot at his regiment but it did not suffer as…

GLC03523.40.20

20 May 1863

Swisher, James S., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia A. Bishoff

He would like to know how Bishoff and the "Old major" are getting along, and he would like to be informed when they get married. There are about 100 sick soldiers in the hospital. The Colonel has moved his headquarters to Rowlsburg and there are only about six hundred soldiers there now. He received a letter from Dan since the late Battle at Fredericksburg, who said that there was one killed in his company and four severely wounded. He asks Bishoff to give his love to "all inquiring friends especily the girls."

GLC03523.40.26

22 December 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Received her letter containing postage stamps and a five cent bill today. Writes that he can happily go around camp knowing that his family is all in good health. His health is very good and has been since they left camp in Washington. Has not heard from Wellington but is not concerned because he is well provided for and his sickness is not dangerous, although he will probably not be fit for duty again this winter. S. Z. Dickinson has gone to Finley Hospital in Washington. Received a letter from him today which said that he had to walk three miles, which took him three hours, and he was…

GLC02596.12

19 June 1865

West, Charles T., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

"I have participated in the following engagements, viz Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon R. R....my desire is...to remain service if found Capable...."

GLC02414.372

22 November 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Has not received any letters from home this week but expects there is one or two on the road. They are encamped on the Chantilly Plantation between Fairfax, Virginia and Centerville, Ohio. When he last wrote, the Army was up at Aldie, Virginia. Ordered to march to Thoroughfare Gap, where they stayed for one day, and then ordered to march to Gainesville, Virginia. The Army arrived in Gainesville around 10 o'clock and remained there until five o'clock, when all the troops had passed and their war guard came up. Started for Centerville and passes over the historic Battlefield of Bull Run,…

GLC02596.04

24 November 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Writes from Chantilly Camp. Received a letter from his family and was very glad to hear that they are all well at home. Writes that it appears Wilford Merriman is doomed to suffer as long as he lives. Glad to hear that Eusebus Austin is likely to succeed in getting his quota of men because he is a good man and would make a good officer. His wife wrote about sending his trunk by Eusebus, but Bettes does not think that this is the best idea. Needs two pairs of drawers, one pair of socks, one pair of pants, a shirt, and a quilt sent to him. Finds it very difficult to get clothing while…

GLC02596.05

6 December 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

[Writes from Chantilly Camp]. Writes that they are still in their old camp. Has been out on a scouting expedition once since he last wrote. Started about 12 o'clock at night and returned the next day at four o'clock in the afternoon. Is certain that there are almost no Rebels left in the northern part of Virginia except for a few Guerilla bands, which do not amount to much. Has not read the President's message yet, but it is greatly eulogized by those who had already read it. Expects this affair will end in a compromise, but Bettes would rather a fight ended the war since battles have…

GLC02596.06

19 December 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Encamped near Potomac Creek, Virginia about four miles from Hartford Court House and six or seven miles from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Left the camp at Hall Farm on Saturday and went to Fairfax, Ohio and found the troops. Saw S. Z. Dickinson at Fairfax, Ohio; he was still sick but able to walk. They came through Dumfries, Virginia and the roads were extremely muddy so the teams had to stop every few roads. It took them half a day to go a mile and a half. Writes that one would think this distance should be traveled in a day. The roads from here to Fairfax, Ohio run through the woods.…

GLC02596.11

1862-1863

Kennedy, Ronald A., fl. 1862-1865

Diary

Title: [Diary of Ronald A. Kennedy of the Vermont Infantry, November 9, 1862-August 13, 1863]

One diary dated November 9,1862-August 13,1863, is signed, written largely in pencil. Includes key battle material in the entry for 13 December, which most likely refers to the Battle of Fredericksburg. Also describes the Battle of Chancellorsville, particularly crossing the Rappahannock River on 28 April, "hard fighting" on 30 April-3 May, and a particularly extensive and detailed entry on 4 May. Also describes the Battle of Gettysburg, especially in the entries for 2-3 July, in which he mentions repeated charges from the Confederate forces which were repelled by the Union forces each time.

GLC03954.01

1863

Kennedy, Ronald A., fl. 1862-1865

Diary

Title: [Diary of Ronald A. Kennedy of the Vermont Infantry, September 17, 1863-December 30, 1863]

One diary dated September 17, 1863-December 30, 1863 belonging to Ronald A. Kennedy. Does not contain much battle content, but features lists and accounting information.

GLC03954.02

1865

Kennedy, Ronald A., fl. 1862-1865

Diary

Title: [Diary of Ronald A. Kennedy of the Vermont Infantry, 1865]

One diary dated 1865 belonging to Ronald A. Kenendy is unsigned, and mostly written in pencil. Does not contain much battle content, but features lists and accounting information.

GLC03954.03

17 December 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Informs Mary that Joseph, her brother, was wounded in the arm, and the doctors had to amputate it. Says he nursed Joseph while he was in camp and wanted to accompany him to Richmond, Virginia but General [William Henry Fitzhugh] Lee would not allow it. Discusses other casualties from the battle of Fredricksburg.

GLC02715.039

2 May 1863 circa

Epperly, Mary M., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Christian M. Epperly

Notes that she has not heard from him since the 28th of last month and is worried. States that she hopes he was not involved in the battle near Fredericksburg, Virginia.

GLC02715.053

9 November 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Marching. Near the Rappahannock and approaching Fredericksburg. Mentions artillery fighting, and long discussion of stealing from Confederate civilians: "Notwithstanding all the orders to the contrary, we soldiers dont considder [sic] it much sin to take from these secesh all that we can lay our hands on but if the Provost guards get hold of us we get walked up to 'the captains office to settle' for it. Maybe you will think that I am getting tough but I cant help it[.] Yesterday afternoon I went out with three others of Co H foraging and while we were skining a hog the provost general…

GLC04558.053

19 November 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Written in pencil while on guard duty. Marching, Burnsides sending flag of truce to civilians telling them to leave, farm business.

GLC04558.054

23 November 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Rainy weather, rebels hold city, rebel pickets taunting about election, Bull Run and Antietam; Colonel courtmartialed twice for drunkenness but cleared, Colonel and regiment's surgeon trying to get regiment out of battle area, soldiers mutilating themselves to get discharged, Italian soldier bayoneting a fellow Italian, with final note dated 11/24 3 AM regarding marching orders. Signature followed by postscript "The orders to march today is countermanded 5 oclock A.M." The letter is continued on October 24th.

GLC04558.055

28 November 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Interrupted by orders and drills. Reports rebels fortifying heights beyond Fredericksburg, believes they are equal or superior in numbers, re-building the same depot as done last year, comment about blacks riding the railroad while soldier walk, camp moved to higher ground, his opinion of Burnside and belief that other Union generals "will probably work against him." The letter is continued on December 1st.

GLC04558.056

20 December 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Damaged at top left. With pencil note in margin p.1 enclosing "secesh" belt buckle for Georgiana. Trying to stay warm, describes previous week eating well in the town: "If you ever see a city rocked to pieces it is Fredericksburgh." Briefly alludes to casualties which were light in his regiment.

GLC04558.059

1 January 1863

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Continued January 3 ["Dec."]. Written in pencil. Increasing strictness of the colonel for infractions, mentions that soldier mutilating himself (cutting off thumb) was court-martialed and sentenced to hard labor and half-pay for rest of service, marching orders given then countermanded. Regarding the war and Fredericksburg: "No; as I said before I dont believe this war will ever end by fighting. It is not the rebels at the North that troubles us but the rebels here, as the irishman says 'right finenst [sic] us.' You need not blame Burnside for not succeeding for he did as well probably…

GLC04558.060