1862 December 10 on the Rappahannock across from Fredericksburg

[from the diary of the Rev. Francis E. Butler, chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]


Wed 10.  Fine cold Morng.  Our mess tent is pitched in midst
of troops bivouacked in Shelter tents all around us

It is sd. our batteries are to open on enemy today
& we are now within eight miles of front.
Marched at 9 A.M. our regt. leading – roads rough with
frozen mud – overtook & pass numerous camps – closed in
Mess[?] for dinner   Col & Major off   I took command, broke
into column & marched on – to tune of coming thru. the rye
As we neared river   Col Wright – Comdg. gave us orders to report
to Col Hawkins – Gen. we are now under his command.  Gen. Gettys
division (& Sumners grand division of Burnsides Army I
suppose) – encamped about 3 – on south side of a
wooded slope about 1 mile No. East of Fredericksburg – while
mess tent was pitching – I rode over hill to river – saw Gen.
Sumner & &c. making a reconnaissance of rebels – went myself
to river bank.  Saw city across river, which is partly frozen –
& about size of Passaic at Paterson – high banks & all bridges
destroyed.  Saw rebel pickets distinctly & full view of city
All was as still as Sunday – under the warm
sun of this Dec. afternoon – Perhaps tonight or tomorrow
the earth will shake to roar of 300 000 men in battle.
Caught cold yesterday – felt dull & heavy - & sick on march –
We hope for fresh meat now – hard tack & bacon are getting
th tiresome.  Heard Gen. Banks has landed at Harrison’s
landing with 75000 men – Burnsides’ headquarters is about
half mile So. of us -   We are ordered to have 3 days rations
ready to march at 7. AM tomorrow, taking nothing
but what can carry on horse – or back – Move wagons
in two hours - so as to be away fr. enemy’s fire –
if shell us tonight.
     Col. called Officers to tent   told them we were to
open our batteries at daylight – in order to divert the
enemy while our troops cross – we our brigade to cross the
the second one.  All last orders were given
I read 91 Psalm – spoke few word & prayed

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935