The Words of War

by Donagh Bracken

  From that time the fire was spiritedly carried on, and never ceased until after dark.

  Gen. FRANKLIN, who commanded the attack on the left, met with better success. He succeeded, after a hard day’s fight, in driving the rebels about one mile. At one time the rebels advanced to attack him, but were handsomely repulsed, with terrible slaughter and loss of between four and five hundred prisoners belonging to Gen. A. P. HILL’S command. Gen. FRANKLIN’S movement was directed down the river, and his troops are encamped to-night not far from the Massaponox Creek.

  Our troops sleep to-night where they fought today. The dead and wounded are being carried from the field.

  The following is a list of officers killed and wounded as far as yet known:

  Gen. JACKSON, of the Pennsylvania Reserves, killed.

  Gen. BAYARD struck in the thigh by a shell, and afterward died.

  Gen. VINTON wounded in the side, but not seriously.

  Gen. GIBSON wounded in the hand. Gen. KIMBALL wounded in the thigh.

  Gen. CALDWELL wounded in two places, but not seriously.

  Col. SINCLAIR, of the Pennsylvania Reserves, wounded seriously.

  Capt. HENDERSON, commanding the Ninth New York State Militia, wounded seriously.

  The following is the loss of officers in the Fifth New-Hampshire Regiment:

  Col. CROSS, wounded in the abdomen. Major STURTEVANT killed. Adjutant DODD killed.

  Capt. MURRAY killed.

  Capt. PERRY killed.

  The firing of musketry ceased about 6 o’clock this evening, but the Rebels continued throwing shell into the city until 8 o’clock.

  The position of the rebels was as follows: Gen. LONGSTREET on the left, and holding the main works.

  Gen. A. P. HILL and “Stonewall” JACKSON were in front of Gen. FRANKLIN, with JACKSON’s right resting on the Rappahannock, and HILL’S forces acting as a reserve.

  The troops are in good spirits and not the least disheartened.

  IN THE WOODS AT CHANCELLORSVILLE. BIVOUAC AT NIGHT (FORBES). LIBRARY OF CON-GRESS.

  From Another Correspondent

  Headquarters Army of the Potomac

  Saturday, Dec. 13 – 10 P. M.

  Last night our troops were rapidly pushed across the river, and every preparation made for a battle. Gen. FRANKLIN’s Division crossed two miles below the city, while Gen. Sumner’s troops occupied a portion of the town. Gen. Franklin’s line was moved forward at sunrise, with his right resting on Fredericksburgh, his centre advanced a mile from the river, and his left resting on the river three miles below.

  Skirmishing commenced on the left about daylight. Soon after, a rebel battery opened on our lines, and the Ninth New York Militia was ordered to charge, but after a fierce struggle was compelled to retire. The remainder of the Brigade, under Gen. TYLER, then charged the enemy’s guns, when the fight became general on the extreme left. Gen. MEADE’S and Gen. GIBBON’S Divisions encountered the right of Gen. A. P. HILL’S command.

  The cannonading was terrific, though our troops suffered but little from the enemy’s artillery. Gradually the fight extended around to the right.

  Gen. HOWE’S division went in, and then Gen. Brook’s division. About 10 o’clock A.M. Gen. SUMNER’s troops engaged the enemy back of the city, since which time the battle has raged furiously along the whole line. The enemy, occupying the woods and hills, had a much more advantageous position but were driven back on their right a mile and a half early in the day.

  About noon Gen. GIBBON was relieved by Gen. DOUBLEDAY, and Gen. MEAD by Gen. STONEMAN. Afterward Gen. NEWTON’S Division moved round to the support of the left, when the firing ceased in that portion of the field for a short time, and broke out with greater fierceness in the centre, where our troops were exposed to a plunging fire from the enemy’s guns and earthworks from the hills.

  Along the whole line the battle bas been fierce all day, with great loss to both sides. To-night each army holds its first position, with the exception of a slight advance of our left. Cannonading is still going on, and the musketing breaks out at intervals quite fiercely.

  Gens. GIBBONS, VINTON, BAYARD and CAMPBELL are wounded. Gen. BAYARD was struck in the hip by a solid shot, while conversing with Gen. FRANKLIN and his staff, and cannot survive. His right leg has been amputated, but the operation will only serve to prolong his life a short time.

  Several hundred prisoners have been taken, who report that Gen. LEE’S entire army is in the immediate vicinity. Gen. HILL’S troupe were withdrawn this morning and started down the river, but afterwards relented. Gen. FRANKLIN is to-night opposed to Stonewell JACKSON.

  It is impossible to form an accurate idea of the loss on either side, as the firing is still going on, rendering it extremely difficult to remove the killed and wounded.

  The city suffered terribly from the enemy’s artillery, and is crowded with our troops, the front extending but a short distance beyond.

  The balloon has been up all day. During the morning but little could be seen, owing to the dense fog; but the afternoon was remarkably clear.

  This evening the rebels have been shelling Fredericksburgh, endeavoring to drive our troops out of the place, but without success.

  The Operations of Sunday

  Headquarters Army of Potomac

  Dec. 14 – 11:30 A. M.

  There is no fog to-day, the sun shining brightly, with a strong breeze. At daylight this morning there was a heavy fire of artillery and infantry in front of the first line of work, where Gens. SUMNER and HOOKER were engaged yesterday. The fire slacked about an hour afterward, and was heard only at intervals until now. The same occurred in front of Gen. FRANKLIN’S Divsion down the river. The object of both parties was evidently to feel the other.

  During last night and this forenoon the rebels have considerably extended their work and strengthened their position. Large bodies of troops now to be seen, where but few were to be seen yesterday.

  Our dead which were killed yesterday while charging in front of the enemy’s works, still remain where they fell. When attempting their removal last night, the rebels would open fire with infantry but the wounded have all been removed from the field, and all the dead obtained are now being buried.

  The indications are that no decisive battle will be fought today, unless the rebels should bring on the engagement, which they will not probably do.

  Reports by Way of Washington

  December 14, 1862

  It is thought here that about 40,00O of our troops were engaged in yesterday’s battle.

  From information received early this morning, preparations were making all night for a conflict today, Gen. BURNSIDE remaining on the field giving orders, looking to the position and condition of his forces.

  Additional surgeons, and everything which the necessities of the wounded require, have been dispatched from Washington to the battle-ground.

  It is proper to caution the public against hastily crediting the many unsupported rumors concerning yesterday’s battle. Some of them here prevalent have no other basis than surmise, and are mere inventions in the absence of facts. Rebel sympathizers are responsible for not a few of these fictions.

  Gentlemen in high public positions repeat the assertion, as coming from Gen. Burnside, that he has men enough, and therefore, desires no further reinforcements.

  Details of Operations to Saturday Morning

  Camp Opposite Fredericksburgh

  Saturday, Dec. 13, 1862

  Affairs are rapidly culminating here, the crisis of battle, the grandest – probably most decisive – of the war, approaches apace.

  The nation may well pause and hold its breath in the terrible suspense now impending. The prelude of the conflict has passed. The taking of the town by assault, and after a determined fight with the enemy’s sharpshooters and skirmishers, and the crossing of the river by a considerable portion of the Union force, are fast bringing the two great armies face to face. To-day – to-morrow at furthest – must witness events
which will long live in history. May we hope that the battle will be as decisive as it now promises to be bloody and terrible.

  STUDY OF INFANTRY SOLDIER ON GUARD – WILLIAM J. JACKSON, SERGEANT MAJOR 12TH N.Y. VOLS – SKETCHED AT STONEMAN’S SWITCH NEAR FREDRICKXBURG (FORBES). LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.

  The events of yesterday may be briefly summed up as follows:

  Gen. SUMNER’S corps, the Right Grand Division, were across and occupied the town; one division took possession the first night, and the remainder of the column passed across the upper bridge in the morning. They filled the whole length of Caroline or Main street to the lines of the railroad, and by degrees extended their front to Commerce street, and the streets running up from the river, until the body of the town was filled up. They remained under cover of the houses, the streets running nearly North and South being parallel to the line of the enemies’ batteries behind the town. The completion of a second pontoon bridge during the first night greatly facilitated the passage of the troops. The first artillery thrown across were the Napoleon batteries attached to Gen. SUMNER’S Division.

  The enemy’s pickets stubbornly occupied the outskirts of the town, and a fusilade between them and our own advance pickets was kept up during the day. The remainder of FRANKLIN’S column crossed their two pontoon bridges during the forenoon, two miles below the centre of the town. Their passage, as well as that of Gen. SUMNER’S Corps, was disputed by occasional but not very persistent firing from the rebel batteries, which are chiefly to the South and rear of the town, so to command the line of the railroad, and also the Bowling Green.

  Gen. REYNOLDS’ First Corps brought up the rear of FRANKLIN’s column, and occupied the broad plateau south of the town, extending for miles down the river

  Gen. HOOKER’S Grand Division, which had been on foot since Thursday, when they broke camp, remained with the head of its column pointed toward the upper bridges, but up to 3 o’clock awaited Gen. BURNSIDE’S orders to advance.

  Three times during the day the enemy’s battery commanding this crossing opened fire upon the troops which came down, their shells exploding with uncomfortable accuracy just at the hither end of the bridge, on the slope of the hill, and even beyond on the level plain by which they approached.

  Shortly after 3 P. M. HOOKER’S column began to move down the river, as if with the design of crossing on the bridges below, where FRANKLIN crossed. Up to a late hour, however, they had not gone over. It is believed they passed the river during the night.

  This change in the line was no doubt occasioned by the extraordinary activity displayed by the rebel batteries southeast of the town.

  At 2½ P. M. the whole semi-circle of batteries in that direction opened fire upon the pontoon bridges, and upon the lower part of the town, where our troops were quartered. Their other batteries, north of the plank-road, and toward Falmouth, simultaneously poured in their contribution upon the upper crossing, and that part of the town lying in front of it.

  Five separate batteries below, working ten or twelve guns, and four above, with eight or ten, kept up a fire of shot and shell until near sundown. Many of their shells fell short, but some took effect in the town, and near the river. What damage they did to the troops I could not learn at that late hour.

  Several shells burst near the Lacey House, and one close by the north end of the building while I was getting the names of the wounded lying in that place. One man, a few minutes afterward, was brought in with his arm terribly shattered by a piece of shell. A considerable body of cavalry and infantry were partially sheltered behind these buildings, which are of brick. It being used as a hospital, and occupied by the rebels in common with the Union, for wounded soldiers is a guarantee that it will be respected. Its position being only a little to the left of the crossing, and nearly in line of one of the main rebel batteries, probably accounts for these shells bursting so near it.

  We must presume that they were accidental shots, as I believe there is no well authenticated instance of their intentionally firing upon a hospital. It is situated only two hundred yards north of Lieut. MILLER’S battery, which is protected by earthworks, and very prominent on the high land below the house. These circumstances render the place unsafe, and it will only be used as a temporary hospital. The wounded will, for the present, be carried to the rear, where tents have been established for their accommodation.

  The main body of the rebel army is believed to be in position some five or six, perhaps ten miles west, with a strong rear guard for cooperating with and supporting their batteries.

  If estimates which I have heard be correct, we have an aggregate of over sixty thousand men more than the estimated strength of the rebel army. Our artillery figures up over five hundred guns. Considering the difficulties of the situation, the completion of six pontoon bridges and the crossing of such an army in twenty four hours, is worthy of all military achievement. The events of the last two days have increased the enthusiasm of the whole army toward its Commander, and strengthened confidence in the Generals leading the Grand Divisions. With town and river behind, we must fight – there is no backing out.

  The Town – Its Condition

  Our shot and shell have riddled a great many of the houses in town; and most of the churches, from foundation to steeple, have been accidentally perforated by the storm of missiles which were sent into the town. As the monuments and representatives of a priesthood and people thoroughly baptized in treason, they deserved no exemption from the common doom, but being larger than any other buildings, and very prominently in the range of our fire, they naturally received their full share of the iron storm. The clock in the steeple of the Episcopal church was untouched, and continues to toll off the eventful hours, for the benefit of the Union forces in the town.

  In spite of prompt and general efforts to guard the houses from intrusion and pillage, by the establishment of guards, a good many residences have suffered more or less spoliation. Household articles, such as cooking utensils and crockery, pickles, sweetmeats and ditches of bacon, were observed among the troops, as I passed through the different streets. The latter, taken from the meat houses of the first families, no doubt, are generally transfixed on the end of bayonets, and carried in triumph on their shoulders.

  There has been, as yet, no general pillaging of the town, and it will not be permitted. The principal stores have each a strong guard to protect the small stock of goods left behind in the flight of their proprietors.

  Not over twenty houses, all told, have been burned, and the total damage to the place, by the bombardment and flames, I estimate at not over two hundred thousand dollars.

  The few dead who were shot in the streets, have been buried, necessarily in the town, near where they fell. Considering all the terrible circumstances of provocation, the preservation of the town from total destruction, and its wholesale pillage by the army, are in the highest degree creditable to the Union troops, and to their discipline. Enclosed is a list of the killed and wounded as far as ascertained.

  In haste to send the mail.

  E.S.

  What the Historians Say

  The first battle at Fredericksburg, known also as Marye’s Heights, occurred in Spotsylvania County and Fredericksburg on December 11-15, 1862. It was the only battle in the Fredericksburg Campaign of November and December, 1862.

  The principal commanders were Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside leading 172, 504 Union troops and Gen. Robert E. Lee commanding 72,497 Confederates. Casualties were 13,353 and 4,576 respectively.

  On November 14, Burnside, now in command of the Army of the Potomac, sent a corps to occupy the vicinity of Falmouth near Fredericksburg. The rest of the army soon followed. Lee who reacted by entrenching his army on the heights behind the town. On December 11, Union engineers laid five pontoon bridges across the Rappahannock under fire. On the 12th, the Federal army crossed over, and on December 13, Burnside mounted a series of futile frontal assaults on Prospect Hill and Marye’s Heights that resulted in staggering cas
ualties. Meade’s division, on the Union left flank, briefly penetrated Jackson’s line but was driven back by a counterattack. Union generals C. Feger Jackson and George Bayard and Confederate generals Thomas R.R. Cobb and Maxey Gregg were killed. On December 15, Burnside called off the offensive and re-crossed the river, ending the campaign. Burnside initiated a new offensive in January 1863, which quickly bogged down in the winter mud. The abortive “Mud March” and other failures led to Burnside’s replacement by Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker in January, 1863.

  10

  Gettysburg

  The High Water Mark of the Confederacy

  AUTHOR’S COMMENTARY

  The fog of war obscured much on the battlefield. Both the coverage of the Charleston Mercury and The New York Times claimed victory for their respective sides at the great battle in Pennsylvania.

  Coverage of the battle at Gettysburg was obviously much easier for The New York Times to arrange than for the Charleston Mercury. But it still wasn’t easy. It was particularly hard for Sam Wilkeson of The New York Times. Jeb Stuart’s cavalry had ripped out telegraph lines and disrupted the army’s rail communications with Washington and Baltimore. Wilkeson, trying to get to the Army out of Washington, along with several other correspondents from other papers, left for Baltimore at eleven in the morning to discover, upon arrival, that the train they were hoping to catch was not available. He returned to Washington and learned the next day that the track had been repaired as far as Frederick, Maryland, so he returned to Baltimore then went on to Frederick reaching it on June 30. He then tried to reach Meade’s Army by way of the Western Maryland Railroad to Westminister.