Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 129, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 December 1909 — Anniversary of the Union Attack on Fredericksburg [ARTICLE]

Anniversary of the Union Attack on Fredericksburg

BY J. C. KRESLEB

es Ce. F, 1291J> Pennsylvania Volunteers. - > Rensselaer, In<L, Pee. 11, 1959. Mr. E^torE orty-seven years ago this morning the old Army of the Potomac was laying around Falmouth and Stafford Hills opposite Fredericksburg, Va. Eariy that morning orders came to “fall in,” and the booming of cannon heralded that once more we were to meet our old enemy, the Army of Northern Virginia, which was entrenched on the heights of the town. Moving throughout the day In different directions we halted for the night. The next morning and throughout the day we marched and countermarched. Evening found ns within abont a mile of the River Rappahannock, where we lay down to rest, many a poor boy for the last time. Pec. 13th at abont noon we of Humphrey’s 3d division, sth army corps, were down by the river. The firing by this time had become very heavy and wounded men were being brought in from all directions. Crossing the river we marehed through the town and the grander and most terrible sight burst into view. Onr boys were lying alting the foot of the hill and the rebels were behind stone walls and the batteries on the crest of the walls. Six charges had already been made to force them ont bnt without success. At about 4 o’clock we of Humphrey’s division were ordered toward the rebel works, crossing the jcanal by fours, turning to the right and passing tbe old tannery (which is still there as I saw It a year ago), where we were halted. John Bntz stood on my left and Jerry Albert on my right One went down with both legs torn off, the other with his head off, and I realized that Sherman was right when he said that “war Is helL” Moving back to the left we formed line of battle. The firing by this time was terrible in front the dead and wounded were lying thicker than I ever saw wheat or oats sheaves five to one. Finally the charge was ordered and ont of the four thousand brave and heroic boys that had started seventeen hundred and sixty-eight were killed and wounded. (Mr. Sresler - was himself wounded by a breaking shell which tore a hole in his scalp and Injured his skull, from which he has always suffered—Ed.) Some one has asked “What kind of a place was it?” The answer is a high bill with a sunken road near the base, a stone wall In front and artillery on the top es the hill; strong by nature and made stronger by strengthening the weak places; protected by the river on either flank. The loss all told was around 13,000. A useless sacrifice.