Waitt, Ernest Linden, History of the Nineteenth regiment, Massachusetts volunteer infantry , 1861-1865

[207] an attack. Suddenly a line of skirmishers jumped from the rebel rifle pits in front of the Tammany regiment. The rebel commander was heard to say: ‘Don't molest anything when you get into the city.’ They advanced a little, halted, dressed their line, faced to the front again and immediately received a volley from the men of the Forty-Second. They dashed back into their pits, leaving one or two of their number stretched on the sod. They had not expected to meet opposition until they had crossed the canal. Another attack was momentarily expected, but the minutes became hours and no sign was made.

Finally, the sound of heavy firing was heard far away on the right and very soon movements among the rebels indicated that something was going to happen. The men clutched their muskets, but soon they found that the enemy were retiring from their works and going out to engage Sedgwick at Salem Church. The roar of the artillery could easily be heard and the shells were plainly visible as they burst in the air. Even the volleys of musketry were heard and it was evident that Sedgwick was being roughly handled. During the afternoon the anxiety of the men was intense, although those in the city were safe. Just at dusk the cheers in the rebel works intimated that they had won a partial victory.

In the early part of the night it was determined to withdraw the force in Fredericksburg to the north side of the river. The Nineteenth was on the right of the line and became the rear guard. Rifle pits were dug at intervals across the street leading directly to the pontoon bridge to enable the men to resist a sudden onslaught during the night or when it came time for them to move, the hour being set for earliest dawn. The tired men of the regiment slept soundly, only the commander and the necessary guard being awake. About three o'clock in the morning a heavy fog settled over the valley and when the time arrived, the left wing of the regiment, furthest from the river, was ordered to move noiselessly to the river bank and hold the head of the poontoon bridge, awaiting there the rest of the regiment. This accomplished, the right wing was as silently withdrawn, the men through the fog, looking like ghosts on a ghastly parade as they stealthily marched along.