Sunday, 21st.—Passed Murfreesboro 10 A. M. Camped two miles south of town; preaching from John iii. 14.
Friday, December 21, 2012
21st.—Oh the glorious letter of Gen. Burnside! He asks no subterfuge to hide him from what others might deem the disgrace of defeat. His honor overrules his reticence, and he comes nobly to the rescue of his commander, of the Secretary of War, of the President, of the Government. Right or wrong, he assumes the responsibility of the late battle, with all the odium. I feel that he may safely do so, and await the verdict of history, which in my opinion will place this in the list of the most brilliant military manœuvres. But how different his course from that of some others whose reticence prevailed, and whose high sense of honor could permit them to listen to abuses heaped on the Government for their acts, without the manliness to come boldly to the rescue. How plain the line between the patriot and the partisan! We feel joyous to-night. This letter is a strike. We have an honest man to lead us, and we will follow his lead.
December 21 — Renewed our march this morning. We passed through Mount Jackson and moved up the pike to New Market, where we turned off on the Sperryville pike and moved out two miles east of New Market, to the foot of the Massanutten mountain, and camped.
Sunday, 21st—We left Abbeville this morning and marched through to Holly Springs, twenty-two miles. It was warm and dusty traveling. We arrived at dark, going into bivouac in the north edge of town, and I tell you the boys made the boards fly, for as the teams had not yet arrived with our tents, we pulled down vacant houses to build bunks and windbreaks to protect us from the cold wind.
Log Cabin Camp, December 21, 1862. Sunday evening.
Dearest: — Dr. Jim got his proper resignation papers today and will leave in the morning. Dr. Joe’s leave of absence from Washington for thirty days from December 18 came to hand a half an hour after he had left on General E wing’s twenty-day leave. He will not regret the ten day’s extension. . . .
I cannot answer all your inquiries about the wounded. Ligget is doing well; is probably at home ere this. I got a letter from Joel tonight. He is the Jew who got eight bullet holes in his person and limbs. He says he thinks he can stand service in a couple of months. He don’t want to be discharged. Ritter writes me in good spirits.
Very interesting, all talk about the boys. . . . Webb’s surprise that learning is needed in western Virginia hits the position of matters more closely than he knew. Sound teeth and a good digestion are more required than education. I do not know but fear to risk the boys in this eager mountain air; not at present, at any rate. So, of your coming,—
Almost ten years. How happy we have been. But you don’t say a word about your health. If that requires you to come, you shall come. Otherwise you perhaps “better not.” Do you comprehend the solicitude I feel? Enough for tonight. — Love [to] all the boys and to Grandma.
Affectionately,
R.
Mrs. Hayes.
Sunday, 21st. After cleaning up in the morning went up town with Brown. Promenade about the leading streets. Then left him and went to the 2nd Congregational Church and Sabbath School. Seemed very much like home but not so full and interesting. Heard a very practical sermon on the use of wealth. The congregation seemed very intelligent, aristocratic and up with the times. Seemed good to see some civilization again. Took dinner with A. B. at Quincy House. Wrote home. At 2 P. M. went to depot and loaded into freight cars. Off at 4 P. M. At Springfield at 9 P. M. Took passenger cars.
Oxford, Sunday, Dec. 21. Reveille earlier than usual; orders to hold in readiness to march, such orders being anticipated. 7 A. M. the whole Division took up the line of march back toward Oxford. Hitched up. The caisson fell in the train, but the pieces with the 59th Indiana, Colonel Alexander, were left for a rear guard. The Division passed by 9 A. M. but as the train could not take all of the commissary stores and cotton at headquarters, we had to lay there all day hitched up, waiting for the trains to return from Oxford. They arrived at 4 P. M., loaded, and started back as soon as possible. We were ordered to hitch up, as we could hear the drums beat for roll call on the right of us; supposed to be Logan’s Division. We fell in rear of 59th about 8 P. M., leaving the place all quiet, the Rebs making slight demonstrations upon the infantry during the day notwithstanding. Pushed silently along towards Oxford, proceeded toward our old camping ground. Brought into line by Lieutenant Clark on the right of the road in the flat. Captain Dillon went up to the old camp. The caisson drivers being already on the start, after pitching their tents and again striking, we passed up the hill again, on the top of which, countermanded again, unhitched and left the horses at the bottom. Laid down at 1 A. M.
Fort Craig, Va., Dec. 21, 1862.
Dear Family:
Glad to hear of your good health. We are in the same condition. It has been terribly cold weather for us.
The war news is of but little importance. The report is, we are to have a new cabinet, and that Seward has resigned. The men throughout the army are getting discouraged, and men from Fredericksburg say if officers were to try their best to lead them into another fight on the same ground the men would not follow. It was a perfect butchery of our men. Fremont (some think) will get either Sec. of War or command of the army. Report this morning was Halleck had resigned.
Don’t sell old Sam [a dog] unless you get a good price for him, because you know he is mine.
Later.
We have rec’d orders to go to Harper’s Ferry to-morrow and Jere had to get drum head. We shall carry most everything; will send you a box of extra clothing, pay at that end. I am packing up as fast as I can. The boys feel first rate; will write if there is anything new.
L. B., Jr.
Sunday, 21st—Go on the famous detail to M. after guns which cost me three days’ roots. I went to see Miss Kate, spent about three minutes; had to make flying visits. Called to see Mr. Lane’s family. Coming back to Camp, stopped to get supper and did not get to Camp till after night.
Camp near Port Royal, December 21,1862.
I wrote to you some days since, informing you that I had passed through the battle at Fredericksburg without damage. The loss in my brigade was seventy-six. We reached the battle-ground on Friday morning, the 12th inst., when everything indicated that we should have a battle that day. We took first one position and then another, all the while expecting the fight to open; but the day passed off quietly, excepting some artillery firing and some skirmishing. That night we slept in our places. The next morning all was quiet as on the day before for a while, but then the artillery and musketry became more rapid in firing, and continued to increase until for more than a mile along the line there seemed a continuous roar of musketry. We were soon ordered forward, and then I made sure we should be in the battle; but when we reached the position occupied by our second line, we were halted, and there one of my regiments became engaged with a body of the enemy which had advanced within our lines. It lasted a very little while, however. The enemy were driven back along our whole line, and not renewing it, the battle closed. That night we slept on the field, among the dead and wounded. The next morning we occupied our first line. We supposed, of course, that the battle would be renewed, but the day passed off quietly; the next day it was the same case, and the next morning it was found that the enemy had left the field and crossed over the river. We then moved down to our present camp some fifteen miles below Fredericksburg. I hear nothing from the enemy. Their pickets are on the other side of the river, and ours are on this. When do you think we will have another battle? Where will it be? Such questions puzzle the minds of a great many people, and yours too, I doubt not. It may be to-morrow; it may not be for months. I hope the Yankees, having practice enough for the year, will conclude to go into winter quarters and let us do the same. Next week will be Christmas, and I hope a happy one to the loved wife and children of my own home. To many, in summing up and looking over their bereavements for the year, it will be sad enough. We have been more blessed, and should feel grateful for it. To the future I look, not in gloom and despondency, but with the calmness and composure of one who feels that his own destiny in a sea of troubles like this is not in any way under his control. The cloud will pass away when God in his righteous judgment wills it, and it becomes us all to bear it in patience. May the prayers which ascend to heaven from so many supplicants, with such earnestness and fervor as they never knew before, soon be answered. They will be when we deserve it.
__________
General Order. General, Orders No. 65
Head Qrs. Paxton’s Brigade,
December 18, 1862.
Regimental commanders will institute a close examination of the conduct of officers and men in the late battle. They will see that merited censure and punishment falls upon delinquencies; that fidelity and gallantry are rewarded with praise and promotion. If any remained behind in camp or fell to the rear without proper leave upon the march, which seemed to all to lead to the field of battle, or when brought to the enemy sought safety in flight, their officers will see that they are arrested and the proper steps taken for their punishment.
Your line, as it moved after long hours of weary suspense to the support of your comrades in front, exhibiting the spirit and determination of soldiers resolved to conquer or die, was witnessed by your brigade commander with a feeling of pride and gratification such as he had never known before. Such a result can never be achieved by men who harass themselves with alternating hope of safety and fear of danger; it is the work only of the soldier who habituates himself to the idea that he must stand to his colors so long as he has a cartridge or a bayonet to defend him; and if he fails in this he deserves to be despised and cast off even by the women and children of his own home. He who moves under such a resolution must of necessity do his duty, win the applause, and a still nobler reward in the conviction which it causes to his own heart that he is what the meanest feels he would like to be —a true man and a true soldier.
He who proves recreant to his country and his cause at such a time merits the just sentence of military law—to die under the colors he disgraced and by the muskets of the gallant comrades he deserted.
(Signed) B. F. Paxton,
Brig.-Genl.
Official.
Friend C. Cox, A. D. C.
