1862 December 14 Fredericksburg, Va.

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


.
Sun. Dec. 14 – Slept till daylight – went to Col. Hawkins for orders for Col.
D. ordered
[-] 8 ½ P. M.  Made list of sick & slightly wounded to be sent over river
[In line above, in the margin beside the time is written in pencil,  “A.M.?”]
at 10½ buried Rich.Moseley in garden of house on S.W. cor. of Caroline and
Princess Elizabeth St. rear of Mrs. Widow Philips house head foot of locust
tree close to P. E. St. (Enquire of Mr. Geo. Alex.) visited wounded. Col. just made                                                                                             
list of killed  4. wounded 55 – miss [-] 47 + 106 – killed Andrew Keef  Co. A-John                                                                            
K. Frank – Co. A – Richd. Moseley Co. H   Lewis Kates Co. D.  attended funeral
of John K. Frank buried (beside Andrew Keef) in N.E. corner of garden back                                                                                                 
Keef). The battle was so in dark that doubtless some of wounded and
dead are on field & can’t be reached now.  A quiet Sabbath thus far no
fighting – batteries & skirmishers fired a little in morng –Troops in City with
stacked arms. Our regt. came under a front & enfilading fire – very hot
talked with Capt. Hernance [?] Gen. Wilcox’s aid an[d] Commander of the Gen. body guard.                    
Poor Sergt.Townsend died this Eveg. So grateful for everything I did for him.
Visited wounded had prayers – 9 P.M. all quiet today – But we know not
what may be on the morrow or even this night.  Let the Lord direct. it shall be well.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwrds]

MSS 12935