1862 December 25 across the Rappahannock from Fredericksburg

[from the diary of the Rev. Francis E. Butler, chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]



Dec 25. Thurs.  Wrote letter. Visited hospt. Celebrated Xmas with
roast beef and are dried apple pie – Q.M. & Capt Spear are
getting up a dance in front of our mess tent for the men.
It don’t seem to take much.  Rode out to find 2d. N. J. V.
Not successful.  Visitd. hos – wounded are nearly
all removed to Washington &c. found four dying men
one a Cath. wished me to pray for him, two were Christians
one very bright & happy – talked & prayed with all.
A mild day. ‘Tis sd. we are to return to Washington.

Captain Edward Spear of Co. K, and Quartermaster John S. Muschamp

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935