Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/benton-thomas-h/
Regiment: 19th Indiana Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp at Falmouth, Va. opposite Fredericksburg,
April 25th 62
Dear Father:
When I last wrote to you we were on the railroad near
Warrington Junction. On last Monday morning we started for
this place. We marched about five miles that day, and it
rained all night on Tuesday. We marched about
fifteen miles through the rain, and at night camped at a
place where there had been a fight a few days before.
Wednesday we marched to where we now are and have
been here since.
There was a brigade here before we came. They had to
fight their way in for five or six miles. All along the
road were dead horses. There was but one of our men
killed, and it is not known how many of the enemy. Some of
the citizens say there was two wagons with killed or
wounded take across the river. Our men pushed them so
closely that they had not time to burn only part of the
bridge across the Rappahannock River. They say it was the
intention of the Rebels to burn the city of
Fredericksburg if they had the time. One of our batteries
fired a few shells at the retreating enemy. The gen. gave
the mayor of the city twenty-four hours to surrender.
Before the time had expired the city was surrendered. It
has fifteen thousand inhabitants. Falmouth is a small place
only about twenty houses, and two or three stores
in it; one mill, and one cotton factory, which is
still in full blast. Before the enemy crossed the river
they took 400 bales of cotton across, and burned them.
They burnt at the landing at Fredericksburg twenty
seven vessels. There was none of our troops
crossed the river yet. There is any amount of contraband
here. We have three of them cooking for us. We had orders
to move down to the mouth of Acqua Creek today, but they
were countermanded on account of the rain. It is supposed
we will go tomorrow. The enemy’s pickets can be seen from
this side of the river. None of the troops will cross until
the bridge is rebuilt. I will write again soon. Love to
all. Direct as usual.
T. H. Benton
