Camp near Summit Station, Va
December 18th 1862
Dear Father
I write to inform you that the fight is over and I am safe. The enemy camped at 2 or 3 miles below Fredericksburg Thursday night nor Friday night. Our Division marched all night from Port Royal and went into line of battle on the Fredericksburg Heights and Saturday at 6 o’clock were exposed to shot and shell –supporting batteries. All day during the fight we lay in line – from Saturday morning till Tuesday all the time within less than 1 mile of the enemy who were in full view all the time under cover of batteries planted on the opposite heights. For 48 hours after the repulse of the enemy two immense armies lay within cannon shot of each other and yet the enemy did not see fit to renew the fight. From our lines I saw with my own eyes thousands of Yankees immediately in our front. Tuesday night they recrossed the River & skedaddled. During the engagement we lost in our reg. 4 killed and 20 wounded from shot and shell. We lost a gallant Capt J.H. Carter of Washington, NC whose head was entirely blown away by a shell. I sent his remains to Richmond to Mr. Palmer who had it decently interred. We succeeded in getting all our wounded and getting them off to Richmond in due time. Tuesday morning I rode over the battlefield – saw hundreds of Yankee dead yet unburied. Our troops were engaged in burying them. I saw many relicks some of which I saved and will bring when I come to NC. Jake made quite a haul got splendid pr. of shoes and 2 blankets. I visited a splendid mansion near the river used by the enemy for a hospital which they left in a ruined condition shooting or breaking everything. From the papers you can learn much of the battle that I haven’t time to write. I am writing on my knee by an open fire and we expect snow tonight. I’ll send my letter to the office in the morning with some sic. Tell Lizzie I rec’d an old letter of Oct. 26th today. I’ll write soon again. Give my love to all the family and write soon.
Address Fredericksburg, Va.
Affectionately,
J.M.H.
Tell Lizzie I’ve heard nothing from Emil but will look after him.
J.M.H.
Source: Hadley Collection, Chatham County Historical Association.
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