1862 December 11 2 miles from Fredericksburg

                                      Camp in the Field 2 miles from
                                             Fredericksburg, Dec 11th 1862
Dear Sister Helen,
                             Well here we are way
down here and we are in prospect of having
some fun to night or tomorrow as our
batteries have commenced shelling the
city and they are building pontoon
bridges across to river.  we are camped
within 2 miles of the city and the firing
is so distinct and heavy that it is almost
painful, our batteries commenced firing
at 5 oclock this morning and have
kept it up almost constantly all day
and I have just been down within
½ mile of the river and the city is on

fire in several places.  I saw distinctly
regiments of rebel troops passing in
the streets and could hear the cries
of the women as now and then a shell
shattered a house,  Oh its rare fun
to stand back and witness a battle
between artillery and it is a most
splendid sight but the rebels have
not returned our fire except very
seldom during the day but their sharp
shooters have been very dangerous and
troublesome to our troops – as they pick
off our men while building to bridges
but we have got 3 bridges across and
will probably pass over to night or in
the morning   there are lots of troops
here and a large number of cavalry
and artillery and although we shall
probably loose a large number yet
I think that we will occupy the
city tomorrow and drive the rebels
back to Richmond.

     Genl Wright is Genl no longer   it
seems as the Brigade was all split
up as soon as we arrived here and
the Regiments sent to different Brigades
but I shall continue with the Col
I suppose as he will want a waiter still
All of Cols Baggage that we brought
so far from Fairfax has got to be
left behind as no officer or soldier
can carry any baggage except his blanket
and what he carries on his back, and
I shall have to walk after this I suppose
for I think I told you that I rode all
the way down through Maryland in
his ambulance as he was thrown from
a wagon and hurt so that I could
not ride his horse and had to be
carried in an ambulance, and I don’t
know as he will go into action with
the Regiment as he is not well enough
yet to sit on his horse but he may
walk along in the rear

     I suppose you have heard all about how
he was hurt by being thrown from the
ambulance while going to Washington
a few days before we marched   well
he was carried to a house in the city and
he sent for me to come and take care
of him and I stayed there 2 or 3 days
until he was well enough to ride to
camp and have rode with him ever
since but it seems that my ride is at
an end and that we should all have
to walk all the way to Richmond as
we are going to be there Jan 1st ’63.
     Well I don’t know as I shall take a very
active part in the battle tomorrow as
I have given over my gun and every
thing but I shall carry some of the
Col’s things and shall be present
to witness if not to participate in the
action.  God grant that I may pass
through it safely and that all our

[The rest of this letter is written on the top margin on page one.]
friends may be spared
to return home in a few
months with many honors
and may God speed
the Right and give
victory to our army.
I will write again
after the battle if
I am am [sic] alive and
able.  I enjoy it
vastly down here, so
near the rebels and
danger but shall
look out for No. 1
I assure you.
   with love to all the
folks
              Good by
                        Jim..


James Howard, 15th Connecticut

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12668