1862 December 7 Belle Plain Landing near Fredericksburg

[from the diary of Samuel S. Johnson, 1st Massachusetts Independent Light Artillery Battery]


                            
                                Dec. 7th

During the past two weeks, every thing
inside our lines has been very quiet.  The
supply and ordnance trains have been very
active, hauling stores, in anticipation of the
attack on Fredreicsburg, as the rebs are
determined to defend the place to the last.
On the 4th, we were turned out at three A. M.,
harnessed and packed up, and by day light were
on the road again.  At three P. M we arrived and
encamped on Belle Plain Landing.  On the
5th a cold rain storm set in, which lasted all day,
when it turned to snow.  Since and before that
day, the weather has been cool and very pleas-
-ant.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493