1862 December 2 Fredericksburg, Va.

[from the "War Journal" of George Hazen Dana of the 32nd Massachusetts as assembled by his at a later date from his diaries and letters]


 In camp near Fredericksburg.
                                                                Dec’r. 2nd 1862.
I am hourly expecting the papers necessary for my
departure for Washington, where, from all the com-
missions entrusted to me, I shall have to tarry
four or five days.        I wish I could extend my
trip to Boston, and think I should, were only a
little risk of life (that is, legitimate risk) involved,
but have too wholesome a dread of a dishonorable
discharge to try it.        Besides we are now rather
close to the enemy – though how long we are to
stare in his face, before flying at it, is beyond
my knowledge.        Certain it is, however, that
no movement is contemplated under from
seven to ten days.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 5130