Fredericksburg Va 16th Dec 1862
Ma chere Ami
The times have been so full of excitement since
the receipt of your last that I have been unable ere
this to give it an answer. My time when not spent in
the discharge of my duties in the Q.M. department has
been given to the wounded of the late battles. I shall
endeavor to give you some account of them and try to
be as concise as possible; though events have been crow-
ding upon each other in such quick succession and
events of such great importance too, that I scarcely know
how to begin or where to end. The most important have
transpired in our division and the most of which I was
eye witness.
execution
The long delay of the enemy to carry out ^ their threat
to shell the town of Fredericksburg, began to make the
citizens believe that they had abandoned their intentions of the
work of destruction and make them feel that there would
be no iminent danger in remaining in town, consequently
many families moved back again, although it was against
the orders of Genls Lee & Longstreet.
On the morning of the 11th inst, about 5 O'clock the vile Yan
kees commenced their work of destruction. Our brigade Genl
Barksdales) was on picket at the time, and sent word to the
commander of the signal gun to give the alarm that the
enemy were throwing across their Pontoon Bridges. He
prevented them from crossing until late in the evening,
at which time he received orders from Genl Lee to fall
back and let them come over. We retreated then to the
upper portion of the town, near the market house, where
our men found some protection, or rather a screen from
the enemy who were advancing up the same street
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in quite a large force. Genl Barksdale ordered his men
to hold their fire until the enemy came up very close to them
and pour a deadly volley into their ranks, which they did effec-
tually. A close combat then ensued in
resulted in the enemy getting most terribly whipped and
being compelled to "skedaddle" back to the
they[sic] were placed under the protection of their batteries. During
the time our men were driving them back from the opposite
side of the river (before any had crossed at all) and keeping them from
finishing their bridges they were subjected and fully exposed to
a most raking, terrific fire of the enemys batteries, which were
planted about in spots on every hill in sight. In the mean
time the city was being shelled and burned. They seemed
to aim their shells in the neighborhood of the churches. Two
of them have been burned and also quite a number of build-
ings; yet there is a considerable portion of the old town left.
I had a lady friend, two of them, and a gentleman, who were in
town when the bombardment commenced. I loaned them
the ambulance to go into town to stay, although I opposed
them going and tried to dissuade them from doing so. I tell
I worked like a Trojan to get them out. They were no
less than Miss Mollie's father, mother and aunt. Although
I failed in my efforts, they however managed to get out safely,
and on hearing of my exertions in their behalf, she (Mrs H) pro
nounced the benediction "God bless him." She was told that I had
left the Q.M. department and had gone to my company to par-
ticipate in the fight. So grateful was she for my good intentions
she walk[ed] half a mile to ascertain, leaving word that I was
to be sent to her, if wounded and brought to the hospital
She however saw me and expressed as much joy at meeting
me as if I had been "her own son," not knowing that I
hope to be at some future day. Miss M. has failed to tell
her. Ought not I to do so? Give me your opinion and Cousin
Matts too. Answer me unequivocally. But to continue the
history of the battles. Romance is leading me astray.
renewed
On the morning of the 12th the enemy
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attack from the city but did not keep it up very long as
our forces were out of the town and beyond the reach of
their guns. They then commenced throwing their troops
across the river in large bodies and as rapidly as in their
power. As they crossed they marched at a double quick
down the rail-road and in the direction of Bolingreen,
to get from within the range of our cannon, which were
throwing shell most beautifully into their ranks, making
great gaps as they exploded. Towards evening all was quiet
except an occasional gun from the Yankees side of the river,
who threw a shell into the upper part of the town where a
few citizens were trying to make their escape into the country.
On the night of the 11th I saw no less than sixty or eighty women
and children who had fled under the cover of darkness, having
concealed themselves all day in a cellar. On the night of
12th the enemy were allowed to arrange their troops and place
their batteries. Having taken their positions they resumed their
cannonading the following morning, the 13th at day break.
About sunrise they sent forward their skirmishers supported by
their infantry. They were promptly met by our forces and
stood and contested the ground for and[sic] hour or more, when
they were compelled to retreat. But they only retreated to bring
up reinforcements treble our number. But our reinforcements
meet
were sent as promptly to ^ them. On our right they overpowered
us once or twice, but in every instance we recovered our
ground, and in the evening drove back both of their wings.
A prettier place for a battle could not have been found. It is
in the valley below the city. I was during the entire en-
gagement standing on a high hill (Fall Hill) watching
with intense interest the whole fight. You should have
seen the way the Yankees run. You would then have some
idea of the meaning of their favorite word "skedaddle." The
position that I was in however, was rather dangerous. Picketts
division being in trenches on the hill, the enemy were constant-
ly throwing shell at them. Just to my left, where stands
an old mill was the Washington Artillery whose position
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the enemy seemed not to like very much. They were on an
elevation of about fifty feet above the town. From this
position they nearly destroyed totally every regiment the Yank
sent to attack the forces in front of them and did com-
pletely demoralize them. So deadly was their fire that
the yankees
they ^ turned four of their batteries upon them and sent two
brigades to charge upon it. Genl. McLaws very promptly
sent in reinforcements, but before they could get where they
would be of any service this artillery sent such a hail of
grape, shell and canister, that they turned and fled in
utter confusion. there was not a line to be seen. They looked
like black birds flying over a ploughed field. Just at dusk
they made a second attempt to take the same battery.
They turned all of their guns from every battery upon them
and sent forward five Brigades to take it. There was in an
instant one constant roar of artillery from every point on our side
which together with our musketry drove them back after a very
short engagement. Night set in and closed the scene, much
to the great joy of many tired and wearied soldiers, who
had been engaged int he hottest of the fight since early dawn.
The wounded now commenced to groan and call aloud for
help. Our wounded were all brought off of the field, received
proper attention and sent to Richmond for better nursing
here
than they can receive here. The ladies ^ have been exceedingly kind
and attentive to the wounded. They go into their tents (every house
is filled with refugees) and nurse them and that well. None are more
attentive, gentle and good than the Misses H and their relatives. By the
by I have invited Miss Berta H. to visit Cousin M when she goes
to see her cousin in Caroline. Have you made the acquaint-
ance of Miss Bettie Goodwin from here, who is now visiting some-
where in your neighborhood. I am compelled to close abruptly.
Nothing of interest gong on at present. The yankees have been
trying all day to throw some shells into our camps but without
success. They are retreating, so I learn this morning. They
entered private houses in F. and took all of the furniture, bed clothes,
clothing, flour,
left behind, not failing to chop their pianos, bureaus and such
furniture as they could not carry. Love to all. Am well & hearty. Write
soon to your sincere friend James W. Beaty.
[upside down in top margin of page 1]
Will write again when I have and opportunity and interesting
Materials. direct care of Maj. A H McClaws. Genl McL's division
James W. Beaty, 21st Mississippi
MSS 6830-a
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