Battle of Fredericksburg Battle Content and Looting- Slave Owners Leaving

Battle of Fredericksburg Battle Content and Looting- Slave Owners Leaving
 
Near Fredericksburg, Dec 13th, 1862. Written by W.W. Rice during the height of the Battle of Fredericksburg, this remarkable letter captures the raw reality of one of the Civil War’s bloodiest engagements. Rice describes the strongly fortified Confederate positions on the heights, the roar of artillery, recent casualties in his regiment, the looting of a wealthy plantation home, and the tense moments on picket duty within earshot of the enemy lines.
 
Transcription of the Civil War Letter
Near Fredericksburg Dec 13th/62
Dear Sister,
Knowing that you must be quite anxious about my welfare since the letter I wrote you, I take this opportunity to write a few lines. I am yet on the land of the living and am in no more danger than most of the human race. At present the Rebs still hold their position on the heights above Fredericksburg where they are strongly fortified and will probably trouble us some to dislodge them. The artillery has just opened on our right and I think will probably follow up any advantage gained. Since I last wrote you three men have been killed and some seven or eight wounded. Two of the killed are from Co. B and one from Co. G. Co E had a man lose an arm. Mr. R.D. Brown came up with us this morning having stayed on the other side of the river until last night. I guess he fared rather slim while he was away from the Regt. This is a poor place for civilians. The Rebs are ready to do something desperate and you may rest assured many a Union soldier must bite the dust, as many a poor fellow has done within the past five days which the battle has been raging. They have a high bluff upon which they have clear breastworks ranged along in plain sight of us. I could count five from where I stood yesterday and no doubt there was many more concealed. At the foot of the hill a deep and almost impossible swamp is located, so you can see in a moment that we shall have hard work when the moment comes for us to operate in connection with the artillery. The plantation upon which we lay is owned by a wealthy secesh family by the name of Norton. He owned 90 negroes and carried on the tobacco business quite extensively. He cleared out when our army crossed the river and they cleared everything out of the house and barn.
I cannot describe the scene at all the boys were in and took just what they were a mind to. Some could be seen carry off a feather bed, another a rocking chair and yet another a table. Everything in the same shape. I found an English grammar and a wash board. Last night we were ordered out on Picket, that is Co. C, L & H. The boys were within a quarter of a mile from the enemy’s line and we could hear them talk and holler to each other. Also their bugles and a brass band which sounded splendid reminding me of old times. Calve is here yet as his papers have not yet come from headquarters he is quite anxious to get away from here. My writing paper is all gone, so I must ask you to send me a sheet of paper and an envelope the next time you write. Herm has not yet written to me. We are not in Slocums division but we are in the left grand division of the army under command of Gen. Franklin, Brooks Division, Bartlett’s Brigade. Gen. Bartlett is away on a furlough and Col Cake has command. I give you these details so that you may know by the papers if we are engaged. That cap is splendid thing and elicits the admiration of all the boys. I am wearing it while I write. I must close this letter, wish love to all.
Yours Truly
W W Rice