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[232] 1862; and in a short time, with other recruits, was forwarded to Fortress Monroe. Owing to the rapid army movements and consequent confusion, he did not reach his regiment till September 4th, when he found it near Alexandria. Not many weeks elapsed before a cousin from Williams College joined his company, whose society proved a great acquisition.

The autumn and winter were spent mostly in picket duty and road-building. On December 13th Emerson participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, in which his regiment was mostly employed in skirmishing, and covered the rear when the army recrossed the Rappahannock. His powers of endurance were again tasked in Burnside's attempted advance, which was stopped by the mud; and once more his regiment returned to camp routine near the Fitzhugh House. As a part of Carr's brigade, of Sickles's corps, the First Massachusetts then took part, under General Hooker, in the battle of Chancellorsville, and Emerson's name was in the list of ‘missing.’ His cousin had, with him, left a rifle-pit at a critical moment, but, being himself just wounded for the second time, lost sight of him in the excitement. His relatives hoped that he had been captured, but his name was not on the roll of prisoners in Richmond. A friend was sent to recover his body, if indeed he had been killed, but was not permitted to reach the field. The terrible suspicion that he had been burned to death while lying wounded, in the fire which followed the battle, added pain to the deepest anxiety.

His classmates, meeting on Commencement day, though mourning him as dead, yet passed resolutions so worded as not to mock the feeble hope yet cherished by his parents. Weary months passed on, and November came before his fate was learned. Then, from a comrade who had been wounded and taken prisoner, the information was obtained that our classmate was instantly killed on Sunday, May 3, 1863. This informant stated that he himself, Emerson and another, not having heard any order to retreat, were the last to leave a rifle-pit which the Rebels had nearly surrounded. As they were retreating, all were shot. A ball passed through Emerson's head, and he fell on his back without a word.

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