Corpl. McCurdy Gives Eyewitness Account of the Taking of Fredericksburg

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A Union soldier’s letter written by S.O.B. “McCurdy” who enlisted 8/11/1862 as a corporal into G company Pa. 126th Infantry. He was wounded May 3, 1863 and discharged several weeks later. the 4pp. letter is datelined Camp near Falmouth, Va., Dec. 19th, 1862. In part, “Since writing to you before, we have changed camp, crossed the Rappahannock, fought a bloody battle, been most terribly repulsed and are once more camped in our old location somewhat fewer in numbers tis true yet rich in experience of dangers and battles.... I saw the whole battle on the left wing, saw the batteries perform and shatter the town with their most fearful tornado of shells, saw the pontoons thrown across the river while the sharpshooters plied their murderous calling at short range, and saw with heart and hope elate the first rush of our gallant army across the bridge into the demolished and burning city. I saw too the grand battle of the next day when our lines surged to and fro amid the storms of shot and shell and broke themselves into disordered and defeated fragments against the strong batteries of the entrenchment rebels. The fury of the combat was terrible and as usual our men fought uncovered against the rebels in their earthworks and behind their stone wall. Tyler’s Brigade charged the stone wall but were repulsed with terrible slaughter being subjected to a terrible crossfire from the batteries in addition to the bursts of musketry which at less than twenty paces cut down their ranks. ... I was not in the battle, being on duty by special order in charge of guards who were protecting our stores on this side of the river. I rode with the General and staff as far as the bridge and then returned to my post. I occasionally went down to the bluffs of the river from the high hills upon which our train was stationed and thus got so near the fight that I could readily distinguish the combatants. From the bluff I in company with several others, was driven by the shells of the enemy many of which fell around us, many passing over our heads, and some falling short and plunging into the river, or burying themselves in the bank at our feet. It requires a goodly degree of nerve to stand coolly while these refined compliments of belligerents are falling around one and I assure you that I don’t propose to subject myself to demolition by them, by standing quiet when duty does not require it, and I have a chance to skedaddle; though if my duties require me to be under fire, I believe I can act as the case demands without flinching.... To say that we were whipped in the late battle would convey a very feeble idea of the magnitude of our disaster. We were slaughtered and I know not whatever induced the rebels to let us off so gently as they did when by shelling the town crowded as it was by our densely packed columns - they might have completed the ruin of the entire right wing of our army.... I feel thankful that the withdrawal of our troops – “The change of base”, I suppose McClellan would call it – was effected in such a decidedly masterly manner and that we did not get a taste of rebel thunder as we crossed the bridge. I was into the city several times during the two or three days our troops held it and such a miserable waste of property of all kinds I never dreamed of before – furniture, books all articles of housekeeping, jewelry, and articles of vestee – everything lay scattered around in the wildest confusion. Twas midnight and our soldiers lay along the pavements, cold, silent, dark. I carried my lantern concealed under my sustent and issued provisions to the commissaries, and they to the men, in silence, expecting at every accidental say which, stealing through the half unbuttoned sustent, was reflected on the opposite wall (or rather was caught in its flight and expanded by the wall) would bring a volley of rifle balls or a shell from the near battery of the Rebs.....”

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