December 7-9, 2012
Fredericksburg, Virginia

Falmouth, Virginia
December 15, 1862

Dear Friends,

I have been able to survive one of the army's worst efforts. I am still in this worlds, while many others have left. We arrived in this vicinity after a long march from Sharpsburg, through the worst lands of Virginia, depleted to the most. We started at the break of day on Saturday in the camps along the Falmouth and Stafford shores. The Irish Brigade weighed in on the moring with all of 277 officers and men, the report forwarded to headquarters.

Early on, we were called into line, and above the banks of the Rappahannock, we were organized for the crossing. Throughout the night, and the early morning hours, the engineers were busy erecting a pontoon bridge directly opposite the Berry Farm, boyhood home of Geoerge Washington, over to the City Docks of Fredericksburg. These efforts were not that easy, and were contested by the Rebels occupying the city, and the forces of the tidal river. The bridging was not perfect, and the artillery lent it s hand to make secure the efforts, as well as the efforts of our forces crossing in pontoon boats to secure the opposite side.

About 10 o'clock, the Irish were marched to the crossing point, and put into line behind the artillery. There we laid on arms, and watched the proceedings. The bridge was completed, and readied for the assault. We were put in march to cross, and slid down the Stafford river banks on our bottoms, and crossed the bridge. On the Fredericksburg side, the egress was less simple. We were marched off the end, into the water, and up to our knees, scrambled up the banks to the flats. There were enemy opposition there, and we laid into them directly, and took many prisoners, as the rest melted up the city streets.

We pushed our companies, one by one, towards the city, and engeged them in street fighting as we went. The bulk of our forces were too much for them, and they yields to our advance. We fought them through the streets of the city, and were at one point ordered to rest before the push to the west.

We once again pushed them through the streets, and they retreated to the heights in the rear of the town. We were filed into a broad yard on Federal Hill, and were given a good rest, where we were eating the contents of our haversacks, and enjoying the commpany of our friends one last time.

Finally, the orders came to form, and the Irish Brigade stood in line. The words of Col. Herzog were heard, and cheered, and the encouragement of Col. Buffington stood the test of time. We marched off by the right flank, crossed Kenmore, the canal, and went into column of companies, and platoons. We fought the remnants of the enemy back towards Marye's Heights.

We were ordered to stop just before the hill. There, we were witness to the advances of one, then two waves of attack on the sunken road and the wall that the enemy were secured behind. Each wave resulted in the same effect. The men were simply shot down like hogs, and the carnage could not be imagined. Then, the Irish were orderd forward. The first regiments guided right and advanced on the wall. They opend on the enemy, and were opeind on themselves. The results were devestating. The next wave of regiments en eshelon came on,guided center, and were welcomed with the same result. Then the third, and the field in front of the wall was a carpet of blue. The sustained firing was deafening, and rivals all that battles that we have ever seen. This experience was indeed one that cannot be matched for intensity and destruction. I cannot imagine another battle that could offer the same effect. And the vision of our boys all reduced to meal was most disheartening. Yet the flag of the 28th Massachusetts was there, and waved on. The support of the flag was gone, but for the boxwood in the caps of the fallen.

We were ordered to stop just before the hill. There, we were witness to the advances of one, then two waves of attack on the sunken road and the wall that the enemy were secured behind. Each wave resulted in the same effect. The men were simply shot down like hogs, and the carnage could not be imagined. Then, the Irish were orderd forward. The first regiments guided right and advanced on the wall. They opend on the enemy, and were opeind on themselves. The results were devestating. The next wave of regiments en eshelon came on,guided center, and were welcomed with the same result. Then the third, and the field in front of the wall was a carpet of blue. The sustained firing was deafening, and rivals all that battles that we have ever seen. This experience was indeed one that cannot be matched for intensity and And the vision of our boys all reduced to meal was most disheartening. Yet the flag of the 28th Massachusetts was there, and waved on. The support of the flag was gone, but for the boxwood in the caps of the fallen.

There was a lull in the firing after these attacks, and there was some kind Rebels that crossed the wall, and answered the call of the wounded, and gave them some water. This act was of kindnesss in the face of most horrible destruction. The rebels returned to their lines, and there was no more waves of blue to come. The sounds got real quiet, and the battle seemed to end. The Battle of Fredericksburg was over. After a time, the bugle was sounded, the carpet of blue stood up, and approached the wall. The boys of both sides welcomed the handshakes of comrades.

The Irish Brigade was once again formed in line of battle, and were marched off to the left, throught the remainder of the original wall. It was a commonplace thing to see some signs of the cross, and the deposit of our boxwood on the bare wall. God bless our heros and patriots. There were not many a dry eye.

The Irish Brigade column continued to march, and the band carried us along. It was a good hike back through the city, with fifes and drums blaring, and everyone in the ranks taking a light step. We were a sight to be seen, and indeed, many of the townsfolk were running and junping to get a good glimpse of the marching hoard. When we turned to the south, towards City Dock, to recross the Rappahannock, the boys were jubilant, and the spirit was unmatched in my many days in the army. The band fell out at, or under, the rail road overpass, and continued to beat a marshall song. Every single man in the column now was cheering and huzzahing, and all was the pinnacle of comraderie. Nothing in my days has been so charged. I will remember it to the end of my time.

We arrived at the docks, and proceeded to recross the pontoons to the Stafford side. This time, the engineers were able to bridge the end of the bridge with a long catwalk that brought us onto the bridge without wading. The men came up the other side and were put into line. The lines were shortly dismissed, and for me, that endede the most appropriate and memorable recreation for the 150th Fredericksburg.

Your humble servant,
Kim