1862 December 19 near Fredericksburg, Va.

       5th N.J.V.  Near Fredericksburg Va
                         Friday Dec 19th 1862
To my wife & children.   I pen a few lines
Saying that your letter of the 14th has come
to hand, and as usual, I am pleased to
hear from you.  And am glad to hear
of the children enjoying good health
Yet am Sorry to hear of your ill health
for my part.  I am very well for an
Old Man. My phisical health is good
I expect that you, with many others are
desirous to hear from the Seat of War.
and anxious to hear from the late
Battle of Fredericksburg.  Well I will
tell you, as near the truth as I can
tell for a fact.  On thursday morning
December the 11th at about 5 Oclock in
the morning, while lying in my bed
I heard Cannonadeing and Soon followed
heavy Volleys of Musketry in our front
which was from our troops and those
of the Rebels.  While Our people were
throwing Pontoon Bridges across the

[page 2]
Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg
And after nine different attempts our
people Succeeded in getting a Bridge
across the River but with heavy Loss
but finally Kept on until they got
Seven of these Pontoon Bridges
across the River when Our troops
Crossed Over and drove the Rebels
Into their Forts and Rifle pits.  Where
and when the Slaughter began
the fight Lasted all day, and was
very heavy, and on the following
Saturday, the fight was again
resumed, with great havoc on our
Side. Our forces held the Rebels
but Could Not drive them further
Sunday Everything was quiet except
Some Slight Cannonading and Some
Picket fireing.  When Each Army
would Meet upon the Battle field
and on friendly terms, gather the
dead and wounded, and in fact
got so friendly as to converse, and

[page 3]
trade News Papers, and Tobacco
and Coffee. As our troops had
plenty of Coffee and the Rebels had
plenty of Tobacco.  So you See it was
very handy.  Our Soldiers were
talking with the Rebel Soldiers, and
they both Said that if the war was
Left to them they could Soon Settle it
without fireing a gun.  And So I
believer It would be done quicker
Our Loss is Estimated from 10 to
15000 while the Rebels are Said to
be only about 10 to 1500. So you see
we got the worst of it.  Our troops
have all come back to this Side
Of the River and Reinforcements
are daily Coming.  Another fight
will Soon come off.  Our Regiment
was Not in this Last fight, and I
was not with the Regiment.  I was
with the Wagon train and Kept
about 2 miles from the fight in
a Safe Position.

[page 4]
I have no gun. Neither do I want
any. as I dont admire gunnings
We have not Received our Pay yet
and Look Every day when we want
be Paid.  I must t hank you for
the Paper Envelope and Stamps
if we had Money we Could not buy
anything here as there is nothing to
Sell  Some of the New Jersey
Regiments was in the fight and
Saw the Elephant.  I should not
wonder.  I am looking for the 12th
Regt to come this way.  We must
have some 200,000 troops here
now.  I would Like to be  home
to help at Hog Killing, but So
it is.. My chances are doubtful
the Regiment is now out of camp while
I am writing. please remember
me Kindly to Christian and family
With My Love and well wishes
to You and the Children
And hope Ever to remain your
truly affectionate Husband
       James T. Odem

Sgt. James T. Odem, Co. F., 5th New Jersey

MSS 7093-m