1862 December 16 across the Rappahannock from Fredericksburg, Va.

 Recrost the River December 16th 1862- Dear Father  The whole army crossed the river
last night & it is reported that General Burnside crossed to draw the attention of Genl Lee whilst
Banks bangs away at Fort darling & Richmond abut the way that I look at it I think that it is now more than a Skedaddle it may be the way & I hope that it is although they have A strong position I think it can be taken by siege which there is A report going round that they are gong to siege I was with the
Regiment across the river & was under their fire ever since Friday up to last night when we recrost
this is the third letter that I have written to you within three days Just to keep you from worrying
when you knew that both Armies was Fronting each other the seventeenth was int he battle
& lost about twenty five men killed & wounded but I am Glad to write that Edward Cr[?]
was in the fight & came out safe & such is the case with James Safford they both think
now that they have seen the Elephant give my love to Mother & all enquiring Friends
From you Son Joseph Leavitt



[letters from Joseph Leavitt of the 5th Maine and his brother George of the 5th New York were copied into a ledger by their father John after the war as a remembrance of his sons, both of whom died in the war, George at 2nd Bull Run and Joseph at Spotsylvania]

MSS 66