Sylvanius Jackson Quinn

“ On Sunday, the 8th instant, a number of slightly-wounded and straggling Federal soldiers, who entered the town, many of them with arms in their hands, and with the capacity and intention, we feared, of doing mischief in the way of pillage and injury to our people, who were unprotected by any military force, were arrested by order of our municipal authorities and forwarded to the nearest military post as prisoners of war, under the guard of citizens. ”

“ The native population of the town at this time was small, and consisted entirely of women, children and elderly men. Even the colored population had become very much reduced.
The sudden increase of the population by the advent of this large number of sick and wounded soldiers, and their numerous attendants, caused great suffering and distress, and during this occupation by the wounded, the suffering, disease and sorrow endured by the people of Fredericksburg were greater than any that had previously visited them. ”

“ On Friday, the 12th of December, the Union army was drawn up in line of battle, prepared to advance. Not less than sixty thousand men were on the south bank of the river, with more than a hundred pieces of artillery. Near the mouth of Deep Run there were probably as many more ready for the final charge. The Confederate army was confronting them in a line extending from Fall Hill to Hamilton's Crossing, between six and seven miles in length. ”

“ The enemy made a demonstration against the extreme right, which was easily repulsed by General Early. Soon afterward a column moved from Fredericksburg along the river bank as if to gain the heights on the extreme left, which commanded those immediately in rear of the town. This attempt was foiled by General Hays and the arrival of General Wilcox from Banks's Ford, who deployed a few skirmishers on the hill near Dr. Taylor's house and opened on the enemy with a section of artillery. Very soon the enemy advanced in large force against Marye's Heights and the hills to the right and left. ”

“ Probably the worst was yet to come; but they firmly believed that the same patriotic devotion to the cause they had espoused, and the same fidelity to principle which enabled them to "bear the spoiling of their goods" with composure in the past, would sustain them in any additional trials and sacrifices they might have to endure in the future. ”

“ This battle embraces those of Mine Run, the Wilderness, Todd's Tavern, the Po, the Ny and those around Spotsylvania Courthouse, in which both armies, the Confederate, under General Robert E. Lee, and the Federal, under General Ulysses S. Grant, lost heavily. Many thousands of the wounded Federals were sent in ambulances and wagons to Fredericksburg, where hospitals were established, under the charge of United States surgeons. Every house in the town that was at all available was converted into a hospital. ”

“ From the first of January to the second day of June, 1862, General Barksdale's brigade, that had guarded the banks of the river from the arrival of the Confederate army at this point to the great battle of the 13th of December, was quartered in town for picket and provost guard duty. About the first of April, 1863, one of the most remarkable and successful religious revivals took place here that was known to that generation. The dangers and hardships of war were to yield for a time for the comforts of religion. The services were commenced in the Presbyterian church by Rev. ”

“ In behalf of these unfortunate people, who are thus made to suffer so serfously, and for their suffering families who are thus left without their natural protectors, and many of them without their means of support, we appeal to you to take such steps as may be proper and in accordance with.military regulations to return the said prisoners to the Federal authorities and thus secure the release of our citizens. ”

“ He arrived at Salem church early in the afternoon, where he found General Wilcox in line of battle, with a large force of the enemy—consisting, as was reported, of one army corps and part of another, under Major-General Sedgwick—in his front. The brigades of General Kershaw and General Wofford were placed on the right of General Wilcox and those of Semmes and Mahone on the left. ”

“ I will thank you to deliver to M. Slaughter, Mayor of Fredericksburg, fifty-six Federal Soldiers (privates) who are to be exchanged for an equal number of our people, captured in Fredericksburg. I will thank you also to furnish M. Slaughter the necessary guard, &c, for their transportation to Fredericksburg. Please send two or three surgeons with the party. ”

“ The Great Battle — The Town Sacked by Soldiers — A wonderful display of humanity — The Federals recross the river — A great Revival of Religion — The Battle of Chancellorsville — The Wilderness campaign — Citizens arrested — A statement by the Council — The citizens and Federal soldiers release, &c. ”