1862 December 19 camp opposite Fredericksburg

                   Camp opposite Fredericksburg
                                                      Dec 19th [1862]
My Dear Father
                          Having a little
spare time this morning I will spend
it in writing home although there is
nothing especial to communicate or
write about   every thing is quiet now
on the Rappahannock, except now
and then a gun is fired – I heard
2 this morning but the Union troops
are being drawn away from this point
and I don’t believe there will be
another attempt made at present
to carry the works     The rebels are
throwing up earth works and strength-
-ening themselves all the time and

occupy the city and some fears are
expressed that they will try to cross
and bag us here but we have very
heavy guns in position this side
and could easily drive them out
again so that I am not afraid
of their coming this side – but I
don’t believe that we can ever
drive them out of their position
back of the city.  they have rifle
pits and batteries for 5 miles back
of the City and very heavy guns planted
all along.  We have had very pleasant
weather all along with no rain or
snow except once when on the
march down here and the weather
is not cold except at night when
water freezes   I suppose you are
having a good sleighing cold
winter weather in Meriden   how
does the furnace work this winter
can you manage to keep warm,

     I am getting along first rate
with the Col, but he has had
a pretty hard time of it since
we left Fairfax for he was
hurt only 3 days before we
marched  and with all his injuries
and rheumatism he could but
just keep along with his Regiment
he rode down here in an ambulance,
(myself with him) but he could not
follow the troops from here on wheels,
and he is unable to sit on a horse,
so that he had to foot it all the
way but he was with the Regt. all
the time and stuck by them till the
last and I stuck by him all the
time and stay with him through
all that dreadful fire from the rebels
Saturday when his Orderly left him
and went around behind the hill
the Col. said that I was a “brick”,
and that I could stand fire

     But our loss here in this battle
is awful.  I guess it is the worst
fight yet   Our killed & wounded is
reported at 13 000 & the rebels say
theirs is 2500.  2 Companies of our Regt.
went over to the battle field yester-
day to help bury the dead and they
buried 400 and say that they had
all been stripped to the skin by the
rebels and not a thing left on them
      Oh it is awful to think of the loss
of life and limbs   the hospitals are
all full of wounded and I have
seen heaps of arms – legs & feet that
had been taken off and thrown out
side.   I am thankful that I was
permitted to come out all safe and
am glad I was in the battle but I
don’t want to go through another one
and hope I shall live to reach home
in time then I will tell you all

[The following part of this letter continues in the margin on page one.]
about it.  I got a letter
from you day before yestur-
day also one from cousin
Hattie that Lieut. Merriam
had carried in his
pocket 2 weeks.
     Tell Chal. that he
must write to me.
I should not believe
I had such a brother
if I had not left
one when I came away
About that pipe and
the habit of smoking
don’t fear that I am
coming back a confermed [sic]
smoker-chewer-and
drunkard.. but I do
enjoy a smoke once in
a while when I feel “blue”
and tired and I hope
shan’t lose those [-]
altogether but guess I shall get them soon..
     Your obed. Son – Jim

[The following was added in the top margin on page four.]
     Tell Chas..to send me one of his latest Photographs.
     Lieut. Merriam received a pair of boots by mail  don’t know the expense,
               Yours, Jim
     Will write Geo soon!

James Howard, 15th Connecticut

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12668