1862 December 17 across the Rappahannock from Fredericksburg

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


17. Dec. – Clear–cold–rode to hill to see field battle–visited wounded-Met
some kind ladies, among the hospitals.  Sent off 26 of our wounded
to Washington – Burnside says – withdrawal of Army was effect-
ted without loss of men or guns or stores – without knowledge of
enemy & as military necessity (either to return or fight –
repulse wld. be disasterous – cld. nt take batteries.
Jackson is Lt. Col. 26 N.J.V.

 The Colonel of the 26th New Jersey was Andrew Jackson Morrison (1828-1907) eventually
dismissed from the Army by Philip Sheridan for habitual drunkenness

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935