Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 6.
Frank Moore, Ed.

I cannot close my report without referring you to the organization of the Medical Corps of the army during and subsequent to the last battle. The plan proposed by the Medical Director of the army of the Potomac, in his circular of October thirtieth, was first successfully carried into operation at this time. I respectfully refer you to that circular.

Respectfully,

On Thursday morning of the eleventh instant, our brigade moved from camp toward Fredericksburgh, six or eight miles distant. It was a clear, beautiful, cold morning, and the stars shone as brightly as in the old Empire State. The ground was thinly sprinkled with snow and firmly frozen, allowing our artillery to roll smoothly along, breaking through only in lowland places. We had not marched very far before the serene stillness of the morning was broken by the roar of cannon which told us there was work ahead. Just at the break of day we descended from Stafford Heights into the valley of the Rappahannock, which was overhung by a dense fog. We slowly approached the river about two miles below Fredericksburgh City, where the engineers were hard at work in throwing across the stream two pontoon-bridges. Dense clouds of fog and smoke hung so thickly over the river, that it was nearly noon before we could distinctly see the opposite shore. When the bridges were nearly complete, a company of rebels made a charge on the workmen, wounding a few, but killing none. Our cannoneers soon put them to flight, and the two bridges were in order before the going down of the sun. Our eyes could now sweep across the river, the broad fertile plains and the woody mountains beyond. Here and there we could see squads of cavalry and groups of infantry. Again and again, the enemy struggled with shell, shot, and bullets, to impede our crossing. But our batteries had been planted along the banks and on the hills, overlooking the river, spreading death and terror among the enemy. Crossing was now effected below the city. At this hour the firing of our heavy guns above, below, and at the city became incessant. Our forces now began to cross. The first company that planted their feet on the opposite shore, made the air ring with their cheers. The roar of our artillery was constant, loud and terrific. For a time it exceeded any thing I had ever before heard. Never did I look on a scene more splendid. The air was still, and the sun went down tinging the sky with deep golden light, while the smoke from the cannon's mouth and bursting shell, rolled gently upward in dark columns, or whirling aloft, chasing itself in graceful rings like a thing of beauty. As night drew on we could see the fire in rapid succession leaping out from the cannon's mouth, displaying a scene of grandeur and awe. For six and eight miles distant, the windows of dwellings rattled as if an earthquake was at work. It was thought best that but few should cross until morning. Our division (Howe's) retired from the river to the mountain and bivouacked in the woods till morning.

Friday morning before the sun was up we were under motion. We soon stood along the bank, while thousands were hurriedly dashing their way to the opposite shore. It was a bright sunny morning, and the church spires of Frederick City were full in view. The smoky sky and the clouds of thin foggy vapor were fleeing away, while the gleaming of a hundred thousand guns greeted our eyes. The tramp of the war-horse, the roll of artillery, and the tread of the soldier, was occasionally muffled by the roar of artillery from the hills in our rear, sending their deadly missiles hoarsely shrieking over our heads. In two hours the broad fields on the south bank were swarming with Union soldiers drawn in line of battle. Hooker's and Franklin's grand divisions crossed below the city. The rebels occasionally opened their batteries from the mountain, to which ours replied from Stafford Heights on the other side. The musket-firing between skirmishers at times was very brisk. The day was mostly spent, however, in getting our mien in position and seeking out the strongholds of the enemy. One man of our regiment in the afternoon was wounded by a stray ball, causing amputation of the leg.

The surgeons of our corps selected for a hospital a large massive stone building, situated on the south bank of the river, a little below where we had crossed. This was an exposed position, but the best we could do under the circumstances. From the door I could look out upon the long line of battle terminating at the banks of the river, some half a mile below us; and bending around resting its right wing on the city of Fredericksburgh above us. The building was elegantly furnished with paintings, pictures, drawings, mirrors, and with other things to correspond. It was owned by a wealthy old secesh bachelor of a literary stamp. But a sudden change came over the spirit of his dreams. Nearly one hundred of his slaves had run away, and he was put under arrest and sent up toward the north star. Union officers fed their horses from his crib, slept on his bed, eat from his table, read his library books, sat in his chairs, smoked his segars and drank his sugar and coffee from his china cups.

Saturday morning was as warm as a spring day. The cannonading began about nine A. M., and continued without any long intervals until after dark. It was a long, sorrowful, busy day. At the battle of Antietam, the engagement was general all along the line at once. But not so here. The battle raged like a fierce storm. Sometimes