Near Falmouth Va Dec 19th 1862
Dear wife
As I told you in my other
that I would write you a letter of length I thought
I would commence this morning although there has
nothing of importance hapened since I last
wrote but as the other was nothing but a subsititute I will ful=
=fil my promise by writing long enough letter this time
although I may take two days to accomplish it because to
day is washing day and last week weekwe were a
marching and fighting so I had no time to wash and
I have plenty dirty cloths to wash I wish you were
here to help I guess we would get through Sooner but
enough of this I toled you in my other letter that I would give
you a correct account of the battle of Fredricksburg
as I could and I will do So although I may differ from
from the paper corrispondent whether I do or not I believe
I saw as much of the Seene as any one paper corrispondent
or not So I will commence my tale last week Tuesday
evening we recieved order to be ready to march with one
hours notice after Wednesday Six oclock So we held our=
=Selves in readiness for the march that did not Start till
Thursday morning eight oclock that was the commence=
=ment of the bombardment of that noted place Fredricks
burg most of the day was occupied in Artilery
firing long just at night our troops crossed the
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river or at least a portion of them our Division did
not cross that night but it stayed this side [????] [it?]
afternoon we recieved orders to cross the rive three
miles below and did accomplish it until the
next day at noon then we were pushed forward
to the front where the enemy were in force the Penn
Sylvania reserves were drawn up in line of battle
they went into the engagment first how long they
were in were is more than I can Say but not long I
assure you our Brigade was ordered in double quick
to check the enemy before they farther advanced the
the rest of our Division being back in the rear or at least
they had not arived on the spot in time to go in with
us the enemy seeing the weakness of that point conc=
=entrate their forces on that point the seen became
turific our Brigade determined not to yield but we
were overpowered by numbers we had to fall back
a Short distant and just at that critical moment one
Brigade from our Division hapened to arive to our
assistance then we made [??] rebel fall back
to the woods we held the field the best part of th[?]
the day that night our Regt (what was left) was put
out in front to watch the proggress of the enemy
and were relieved in the morning before light
and went back to the rear of the Division [??]
guard to prevent any from falling back
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we remained there all that day it being Sunday
Monday morning we were again ordered to the
front not a very desirable place I assure you it
looked as the old Saying is rather belious to See
the enemy drawed up in line of battle about forty
rods off it was any thing but a plesant Sight to lay
on your arms expecting every moment that the
battle would open fortunate for us they did not
commence the fray about three oclock a flag of
truce went in for the purpose of removing the dead
and wounded inside of our lines and the rebels in-
Side of thiers it was the greatest Sight I ever saw
two hostil Armies meet Shake hands in the most
friendly terms and then at [???] [???] they went
they caring our dead and wounded to a certain [???]
that being the Division line and we caring theirs
as there was but one hour given for the removal
it had to be accomplished under a run it was the
the greatest Sight I ever Saw when the hour was
up each one had to return to his own lines whether
their work was done or not I guess ours were mostly
removed but not So with the rebels they had many left
yet but that night we fell back over the river So
they had [?????] next morning to get their
men why we fell back is best known to the one
who ordered us over the river I have my opinion
but will not express it because I cannot turn
one hair white or black therefore will keep my
mouth Shut thinking that a Silent tongue makes
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no enemies if not any friends but enough of this
for the present when will be the next move I know
not nor do I much care for I am contented with my
lot let come what [will?] or at least I try [???] [???]
willing to endure most any hardships to crush this
rebelion could peace be once more restored to this once
happy republic [???] for one I could enjoy peace
and freedom once more if it would be [????] and
I hope that may Soon be the case We are [now?] [on?]
our old camp trying to enjoy ourselves if we had a few
[???????????????] we could make camp
life sweet I guess you will think I am an old
beggar I must confess that I have a great liking for
luxries home or abroad it makes but little diference
where it comes from I could eat it if it [come?] from
York I guess I will say no more about for I have
begged enough and I do not fear but what the
freinds from old Rush [???] Send us [?????]
if they had a [chance?] I want to come this
winter if there is half a Site for me but cannot tell
now how that will be till we get Settled [down?] Some
Say we are going back to Washington this winter I hope
we may if we do I will be prety sure to come home
I have seen Steve Since the fight he came
out all safe thair Regt was not in the fight they
came out safe and sound his health is good so is Johns
mine, I have no reason to complain but to thank God for his goodnes
I guess I will close for I think I have kept my promise [???]
on length if not very sensible excuse all mistakes and write
Soon this from your Husband and friend Luther A. Granger