1862 December 19 camp near Fredericksburg

[from transcripts made at a later date]

                                                 Camp Near Fredericksburg
                                                 December 19th  1862
Dear Pa
I deem it proper to write you that I have passed safely through
the danger of another battle.  The 45h Ala. Regiment was not generally
engaged losing in killed and wounded less than 20 men and these mostly
from the bursting of shells.  Two in our company were slightly wounded
but returned to duty in a few days after the engagement.  No one from
our town was hurt, tho, as usual, Summefield had her full quota present.
General Hood's division, to which we belong, occupied the centre which,
on this battlefield, is by far the strongest position.  Desperate efforts
were made to penetrate our lines on the right and left but the enemy
was everywhere repulsed and on Monday night acknowledge a defeat by
recrossing the river leaving behind him a large number of small arms,
about 100,00 rounds or cartridges and a battlefield strewn with his un-
buried dead.  The city of Fredericksburg will never recover from the
effects of this bombardment, as it was an old town of not much commer-
cial importance and I should judge from its looks rather on the decline
any how.  A good part of it is bomd and burnt and there is hardly a house
left which is not riddled by balls or fragments of shells.  There was a
false report this morning that they were recrossing the river and every-
thing was put in readiness to receive them.  I am well.  The rest ditto.
With the best wishes for you and yours.
  I received letter from Maggie this morning dated Nov. 23rd.  I  have
heard from my boy John.  He went north, where perhaps he is now travel-
ling for his health.
 I remain your affectionly son,
                                                   T. Vaughan

Paul Turner Vaughan,  4th Alabama

MSS 5586