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on the Heights and the regiment, with another, was placed in position at the crossings of the canal to meet the enemy's evident intention of attempting to enter the city.
The attempt was made, but not with great persistence, was easily repelled and was not seriously renewed.
The works on the Heights were occupied by a force sufficient to require constant watchfulness by the Union troops and a frequent exchange of musket shots caused them to be kept in readiness to meet any movement of the enemy.
In the performance of this duty, several houses were occupied by the regiment and prepared for defence in the event of an attack in force.
From some of these houses there was a fine view of the field of action of the previous day, which was as well that of the great battle of December previous in which the regiment bore its part with heavy loss.
The regiments in the centre of the brigade line succeeded in holding the two bridge heads on the Fredericksburg side of the canal, the right wing resting in a small grave yard.
During the night there was no activity displayed on either side.
During the following day there was some skirmishing as the enemy appeared, filing into the works on the hills from the east and working their way along the front, but late in the afternoon everything appeared quiet and the efforts of the enemy were either never intended to be serious assaults or they were satisfied of their uselessness.
The regiment was sent down one of the streets up which Sedgwick's forces had previously charged, and ordered to take possession of certain houses, make loopholes in them and on no account allow the enemy to carry the road and drive them out. The houses were little forts in themselves, and, without artillery, there was little or no danger to those within.
The works of the enemy could plainly be seen, swarming with gray coats.
Although some distance from the enemy, the men could hear them and the orders came thick and fast.
The Forty-Second New York regiment held a line of rifle pits a little to the left of the position of the Nineteenth, while in its direct front there were no troops and a good road to advance upon.
Slowly the time passed and the men were anxiously expecting
Salem Press. Co., Salem, Ma., 1906.
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