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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Historical Figures:
Fredericksburg V.a.
Dec. 14th 1862
My Own Mary.
Yours of the 2nd
I received last night. I thank you
for sending me this sheet of paper and
envelope for it enables me to write
you. Which otherwise I could not have
done. The Battles has raged three days
and slight skirmishing to day. Whether
it will be renewed before the rise
of another sun is to my mind uncer-
tain. We have gained a foot held
on the Richmond side and have
a large force across. The Rebels
fight like tigers but we out weigh
them and must win although
it may take days.
They have got a very strong position.
high hills mounted by heavy bat=
teries. before coming to them there
is a plain more than half a mile
across over which we have got
to charge. I understood we (our
Regt.) were to take the advance. Some
hard knocks will be given on both
sides. The loss in yesterdays fight
is estimated at five thousand.
I was in sight of it all the after-
noon. It was a close hard engage-
ment and our men only gained a
few rods. Fredricksburg is
nearly demolished shot and shell
leaving their marks all around
the inhabitants have nearly all left
leaving the most of their household
goods and of these our men are
[ ? ] the houses. I am writing
this on an old book bearing the se-
conds of the Fredricksburg Poor House.
corporation and dating back to
1825. I have seen accounts dating to
1798. One year before Washingtons
death and long before Michigan
was inhabited b white men.
(if my memory serves me right)
I was not because I could
get writing material that I did
not write oftener. we were moving
nearly every day. and when we were
not it was so cold one could not
write without freezing ones fingers.
I wrote you once while at
[ ? ]
near Falmouth. If possible I will
write at least once a week but if I
do not rely upon it I shall be all
right both in bodily health and my
love for you. Always your Gardner
Brewer is going home on a furlough and will call
and see you at least so he writes me.
[On Envelope:]
Miss Mary J. Baxter
Grand Rapids
(Box 450)
Michigan
