USA > Virginia > City of Fredericksburg > City of Fredericksburg > The history of the city of Fredericksburg, Virginia > Part 8
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In view of the threatened shelling of the town, General Lee advised the inhabitants to remove from it as rapidly as possible. The bombardment was not opened the next morning, but it became apparent that the enemy would cross, and the town would be ex- posed, not only to their fire, but to the most terrible desolations of war. The humane and considerate Chief of the Confederate army urged the women and children to leave the town, and furnished wagons, ambulances and every facility in his power for their aid.
THE INHABITANTS LEAVE THEIR HOMES.
Then followed a scene, illustrating both the horrors of war and the virtues to which it sometimes gives birth. The people of Fred- ericksburg, almost en masse, left their homes rather than yield to the enemy. Trains of cars departed, full of refugees. Upon the last the enemy opened a fire of shells; they afterwards explained that it was a mistake. Wagons and vehicles of every kind left the
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town filled with women and little children, with the few articles of apparel and necessity that could be removed. Many were seen on foot along the roads leading into the country. Winter had com- menced, and snow had fallen. Many were compelled to take refuge in cabins, barns and tents, scattered through the woods and fields. They were dependent for food on the exertions of their friends and the humane efforts of the Southern army.
A few families remained in Fredericksburg, determined to brave the horrors of war as long as possible. The hardships and priva- tions, incurred by these people, who surrendered their homes and property to destruction rather than remain with them and fall into the hands of the enemies of their country, excited the sym- pathy and won the admiration of the South. A movement to aid them commenced in Richmond. A committee of relief and treasurer was appointed, and funds were liberally contributed throughout the South, and the soldiers in the field, of their small rations and pay, contributed generously, both in food and money. The contributions of the people and army continued until more than ninety thousand dollars had been received and disbursed by the committee in Richmond and nearly an equal, if not greater, sum was distributed by Mayor Slaughter.
A number of skirmishes of an unimportant character were soon followed by the grand movement of the enemy. On the night of December the 10th the armies prepared for action. Two hundred and fifty thousand armed men, like crouched lions ready to spring upon their adversary, were ready for the bloody conflict. It was the most restless, anxious night ever passed by the citizens of Fred- ericksburg. It was the night of terror! The dread of to-morrow hung like a pall over the devoted city, and everybody was hurriedly preparing for the awful destruction that was at hand and could not be averted. The threatened bombardment had long been delayed, and many citizens had returned from their flight. From one end of the town to the other, all during that sleepless night, could be seen in nearly every home dim lights, where busy hands with heavy hearts were preparing for the flight at the sound of the first gun. What to attempt to carry, and what to leave to
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be destroyed by the enemy, was the perplexing question, and so in the anxiety of the refugees to take with them sufficient food, cloth- ing and bedding to prevent suffering from cold and hunger, they overtaxed their strength and had to abandon many things on the roadside.
THE BOMBARDMENT OF THE TOWN.
Having received his pontoon bridges, General Burnside prepared to throw his grand army across the river. At two o'clock on the morning of Thursday, December the 11th, his troops were put in motion and two signal guns from the Confederate side, at five o'clock,* sounded a note of warning to the people and the army. General Burnside commenced throwing three pontoon bridges across the Rappahannock river. One was to span the river at French John's wharf, at the foot of Hawke street, one at Scott's Ferry, at the lower end of Water street, and one at Deep Run, about two and a half miles below town. General Wm. Barksdale's brigade, consisting of the Thirteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth and Twenty-first Mississippi regiments, held the town.
"General Barksdale kept his men quiet and concealed until the bridges were so far advanced that the working parties were in easy range, when he opened fire with such effect that the bridges were abandoned at once. Nine separate and desperate attempts were made to complete the bridges under fire of their sharpshooters and guns on the opposite bank, but every attempt being attended with such severe loss from the Confederates, posted in rifle-pits, in the cellars of the houses along the banks, and behind whatever offered concealment, that the enemy abandoned their attempts and opened a terrific fire from their numerous batteries concentrated along the hills just above the river. The fire was so severe that the men could not use their rifles, and, the different places occupied by them becoming untenable, the troops were withdrawn from the river bank back to Caroline street at 4:30 P. M. The enemy then crossed in boats, and, completing their bridges, passed over in force and advanced into the town. The Seventeenth Mississippi
* See General Lafayette McLaws's report of the battle.
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and ten sharpshooters from Colonel J. W. Carter's regiment (the 13th) and three companies of the Eighteenth regiment, Lieu- tenant Colonel Luse, under Lieutenant William Ratliff, were all the troops that were actually engaged in defending the crossings in front of the city."*
The other regiments and parts of regiments were held in reserve, and were not brought into action until the enemy had crossed the river. At the first dawn of light on the morning of December the 11th the Federal artillery commenced its work of destruction From the heights above the town of Falmouth, north of Fredericks- burg, to the Washington farm below, on every available place artillery was stationed, bearing upon the town. About one hun- dred and seventy-five of the grim monsters, ready to "belch forth death and destruction," were placed in position the day before, well manned, and only waiting for the signal to send forth their deadly messengers of shot and shell.
At the hour appointed the signal was given, and the thunder of artillery, the lightning from bursting shells in the air, the crashing of solid shot through the houses, the roar of musketry on both sides of the river, the shrieks of frightened women and chil- dren, the bustle and confusion that followed, may be imagined, but can never be described. From early morning until four o'clock in the afternoon, with only half an hour's cessation between one and two o'clock, this deluge of shot and shell was poured upon the streets and houses of the town. The few inhabintants who re- mained in the town fled to their cellars and sought to save their lives from the storm which was beating their homes to pieces. Many houses were burned with all or most of their contents, the . result of hot shot, it was claimed, thrown from the enemy's guns on the Lacy farm, just opposite the town. Among the houses that were burned were the residence of Mr. Reuben T. Thom, in which was located the post-office; the Bank of Virginia, where the Opera- house now stands, and several other private residences on Main street. And yet the worst was still to come.
* Extract from Gen Lafayette McLaws'sofficial report of the battle of Fred- ericksburg, made to General James Longstreet-War of Rebellion, Series 1, Vol. 21, page 578.
CHAPTER VII
The great battle-The town sacked by soldiers-A wonderful dis- play of humanity-The Federals recross the river-A great revival of religion-The battle of Chancellorsville-The Wild- erness campaign-Citizens arrested-A statement by the Coun- cil-The citizens and Federal soldiers release, &c.
To those who had a proper idea of the sacrifices made, the suffer- ings endured and the privations experienced by the inhabitants of Fredericksburg, up to this period, whether that idea was formed from observation, from reading the narratives or from their rehear- sals by those who experienced them, it might appear that their cup of sorrow was full even to overflowing, and from further troubles and trials they might be exempted. But not so. 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. Patriotic, self sacrificing and confiding in the right, they were prepared for the worst, and the worst came.
.
On taking possession of Fredericksburg the Federal soldiers abandoned themselves to pillage and destruction. They entered the stores and dwellings, forcing their way where force was neces- sary, rifling them of all that they wanted of their contents and de- stroying those things that they could not remove. China and glass- ware were broken up and scattered promiscuously; silverware was carried away, books and family pictures were mutilated and de- stroyed; furniture was cut up or broken up and converted into fire-wood, beds, bedclothing and wearing apparel were destroyed or carried off, and the residences were left despoiled of their con- tents. In the three days they occupied the town they made the destruction complete. But it is a gratification, even to those who suffered by this occupation, to know that the commanders were not to blame for the sacking of the town. It was the work, so it is
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asserted, of stragglers and camp followers-the most detestable and destructive scabs of an army.
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 Con- federate army was confronting them in a line extending from Fall Hill to Hamilton's Crossing, between six and seven miles in length. At one o'clock the heavy batteries on each side opened, and for an hour kept up a brilliant duel of shell and round shot. On the morning of Saturday, the 13th of December, a dense fog hung over the river and the adjoining fields. Under its cover the Federal army advanced. By eight o'clock it was in position and the dread- ful conflict began.
Line after line of battle advanced on the Confederate position, at the stone wall at the foot of Marye's Heights, to be repulsed with great slaughter. This was kept up without cessation, charge after charge, as rapidly as they could reform the men, from eight o'clock in the morning until four o'clock in the afternoon, when one des- perate charge, with troops 'en masse, was made all along the line in front of the stone wall, accompanied by the most terrific fire of artillery. In this last and grandest effort, the men, marching to death and destruction through an open field, got within twenty- five yards of the stone wall, notwithstanding the deadly aim of the Confederate infantry behind it and the destructive fire of the artil- lery on the heights above, so skillfully arranged by General E. P. Alexander.
It was a sublime spectacle, and the gallantry of both officers and men won the admiration of the commanders on both sides, Lieute- nant-General Longstreet, on the Confederate side, declaring that such gallant conduct deserved success. But success was not to be theirs. The gallant charges of the Federals were met with that undaunted coolness and courage so characteristic of the Confederate soldier, and a disastrous Federal defeat was the result. The fight- ing was the most desperate that had been witnessed up to that time,
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and the Union loss was very great, being nearly fifty per cent. of the numbers engaged. The battle-field was covered with the dead, wounded and dying, and it is related by those behind the stone wall that all during the night the most piteous groans and cries, for water of the wounded could be heard, but no relief could be afforded, although the Confederates deeply sympathized with them .* Thus ended the battle of Fredericksburg, fought, it is claimed, against the judgment and advice of every corps com- mander in the army who refused to renew the attack next day, although it was the desire of Gen. Burnside to do so.
THE FEDERALS RECROSS THE RIVER.
On Monday night, December the 15th, General Burnside with- drew his army across the river and removed his pontoons. The citizens returned to their houses, to find them stripped of every- thing that was left in them. What could not be carried away was broken up and destroyed. Private residences, orphan asylums, church buildings and lodges of benevolent and charitable institu- tions, all fared alike. Not only were the residences of the refugees deprived of everything left in them, but the returning citizens were without money and food. They were in a destitute condition, and, between the two great armies, with no prospect of relief, unless it
* It is said that just south of the Stevens house, about a hundred yards in front of the Confederate line, lay a wounded Union soldier on the night of the 13th. His supply of water gave out. Just before daylight he began to call for water. The cry was incessant. Both lines could hear him, but no one seemed willing to venture to his relief. As the day dawned he seemed to cry louder- water, water, water; but none came. Among those who heard him, and whose heart was touched with pity, was a Confederate youth, yet in his teens. He determined to answer the call or die in the attempt; and so informed Gen. Kershaw, his commander, who tried to dissuade him from it. But his purpose was fixed, and it is said that just as "the sun was gilding the blue arch above with his golden beams," this youth took his canteen, filled with water, jumped over the stone wall, and, with form bending low, carried it to the sufferer. Just as the deed was accomplished a yell of approval went up from both Confederate and Union lines, such as was never heard before, and which was repeated time and again. The boy soldier did not have to bend his form in returning to his post. He went back a hero, and a good Samaritan, proclaimed such by both armies, and he has since been immortalized in verse. That youth was Richard Kirkland, of Co. E. 2nd S. C. Vol. He has a memorial stone in the Church of the Prince of Peace at Gettysburg, and the inscription : A hero of benevolence ; at the risk of his life he gave his enemy drink at Fredericksburg. He was killed at Chickamauga.
Gen. Hugh Mercer's Monument on Washington avenue. (See page 162)
Old Stone House near Free Bridge. Supposed to have been a tobacco warehouse before the Revolutionary War. (See page 47)
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came from friends in the way of a contribution. It was at this critical period that the appeal, made but a few days before, brought to them relief in the way of money and supplies. The contribu- tions in money amounted to $164,169.45, and the provisions were ample to relieve the present needs. Thus the wants of the destitute of the town were supplied and untold suffering prevented.
A GREAT REVIVAL OF RELIGION.
From the first of January to the second day of June, 1862, Gen- eral 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. Wm. B. Owens, Dr. J. A. Hackett, Rev. E. McDaniel and Rev. W. T. West, chaplains in the brigade, aided by Rev. John L. Pettigrew, then a private soldier in Company A, Thirteenth Mississippi regi- ment, but afterwards appointed to a chaplaincy in a North Carolina regiment. Mr. Owens, a Methodist minister, had charge of the services, and for some reason the meetings were transferred from the Presbyterian church to the Southern Methodist church, then standing on the corner of Charles and George streets, where Mr. P. V. D. Conway's residence now stands.
The interest in the meetings deepened, their influence spread to the adjoining camps,* and the congregations became so large that they could not find standing room in the building. To accom- modate these rapidly-increasing crowds, Rev. A. M. Randolph, then rector, tendered the use of St. George's church, which was gladly accepted, and the services were conducted there until the close of the meeting, in the latter part of May. Before the close, this re- vival attracted the attention of the leading ministers of nearly all denominations, many of whom came to the assistance of Mr. Owens
* See Christ in the Camp, by Rev. J. Wm. Jones, D. D.
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and his co-workers. Among those who were at times present, preached and rendered valuable assistance, were Rev. J. C. Stiles, D. D., Rev. Wm. J. Hoge, D. D., Rev. James D. Coulling, Rev. James A. Duncan, D. D., Rev. J. Lansing Burrows, D. D., Rev. Alfred E. Dickinson, D. D., and Rev. W. H. Carroll. During the meeting more than five hundred soldiers, most of whom belonged to Barksdale's brigade, were converted and united with churches of the various Christian denominations.
Of this wonderful religious awakening, Rev. Dr. Wm. J. Hoge wrote to the Southern Presbyterian as follows: "We found our soldiers at Fredericksburg all alive with animation. A rich bless- ing had been poured upon the labors of Brother Owens, Methodist chaplain in Barksdale's brigade. The Rev. Dr. Burrows, of the Baptist church, Richmond, had just arrived, expecting to labor with him some days. As I was to stay but one night, Dr. Burrows in- sisted on my preaching. So we had a Presbyterian sermon, intro- duced by Baptist services, under the direction of a Methodist chap- lain, in an Episcopal church ! Was not that a beautiful solution of the vexed problem of Christian union ?"
Mr. Owens, who worked so faithfully in the great meeting at Fredericksburg, endeared himself to all who had the pleasure of attending the services. On his return to his Mississippi home, at the close of the war, he at once entered upon his work as a travel- ling minister, and was drowned while attempting to cross a swollen stream on horseback, endeavoring to reach one of his preaching stations.
GENERAL JOHN SEDGWICK TAKES THE TOWN.
Chancellorsville campaign.
In the Spring of 1863, as soon as the roads began to dry off, the armies were put in readiness to move, preparatory to another great battle. General Joseph Hooker, known as "Fighting Joe Hooker," had succeded General Ambrose E. Burnside in the command of the Army of the Potomac, which he claimed was the finest army on the planet. His desire was to reach Richmond, which his predecessors, General McDowell, General Mcclellan, General Pope and General
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Burnside, had failed to do. Accordingly, about the last of April, detaching General John Sedgwick, with twenty-two thousand men, to threaten General Lee's rear at Fredericksburg, he crossed his army at the several fords of the Rappahannock river above town and concentrated it at Chancellorsville. His plan seems to have been to turn General Lee's right flank with the forces under General Sedgwick, double back his left flank with the corps under General Howard, and then, with the forces of General Crouch and General Meade, make a bold and desperate dash against the center, crush it and capture the entire army of his adversary. This accomplished, Richmond would be an easy prey.
But while General Hooker was moving to execute his plans, General Lee had the Army of Northern Virginia in motion, and when General Hooker reached Chancellorsville he found to his great astonishment, the Confederate army in his front and prepared to dispute his advance. Skirmishers were thrown out by both armies and soon the engagement of May the 2nd and 3rd commenced. On the morning of the 2nd General Stonewall Jackson commenced his famous flank movement that has been the study and wonder of mili- tary men of this and other countries, which resulted in a great dis- aster to the Federal army and a great calamity to the Southern cause. General Hooker was badly defeated and driven in haste from the field, but General Jackson lay mortally wounded. Of that attack and result we use in substance the language of General Lee in his official report of the Battle of Chancellorsville .* After a long and fatiguing march, General Jackson's leading division, under General Rodes, reached old turnpike, about three miles in the rear of Chancellorsville, at four in the afternoon. As the different divisions arrived they were formed at right angles with the road- Rodes in front, Trible's division, under Brigadier-General R. E. Colston, in the second, and General A. P. Hill's in the third line.
At six o'clock the advance was ordered. The enemy were taken by surprise and fled after a brief resistance. General Rodes's men pushed forward with great vigor and enthusiasm, followed closely by the second and third lines. Position after position was carried,
* See War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Vol. 25, Part 1, page 798.
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the guns captured, and every effort of the enemy to rally defeated by the impetuous rush of our troops. In the ardor of pursuit through the thick and tangled woods, the first and second lines at last became mingled and moved on together as one. The enemy made a stand at a line of breastworks across the road at the house of Melzi Chancellor, but the troops of Rodes and Colston dashed over the entrenchments together and the flight and pursuit were re- sumed and continued until our advance was arrested by the abatis in front of the line of works near the central position at Chancel- lorsville.
It was now dark, and General Jackson ordered the third line, under General Hill, to advance to the front and relieve the troops of Rodes and Colston, who were completely blended, and in such disorder, from their rapid advance through intricate woods and over broken ground, that it was necessary to reform them. As General Hill's men moved forward, General Jackson, with his staff and escort, returning from the extreme front, met his skirmishers advancing, and in the obscurity of the night were taken for the enemy and fired upon. Captain J. K. Boswell, chief engineer of the corps and several others were killed and a number wounded. General Jackson himself received a severe injury and was borne from the field. He was taken to the Chandler house, at Guiney's station, in Caroline county, where, notwithstanding everything pos- sible was done for him that loving hearts could do or medical skill could suggest, he died on the 9th of May. Amid the sorrow and tears of the Southern people he was laid to rest at his home in Lexington, Virginia.
General Jubal A. Early had been left at Fredericksburg to watch General Sedgwick, and had been instructed, in the event of the enemy withdrawing from his front and moving up the river, to join the main body of the army. This order was repeated on the 2nd, but by some mistake General Early was directed to move un- conditionally. Leaving Hays's brigade and one regiment of Barks- dale's at Fredericksburg, he moved with the rest of his command towards Chancellorsville. As soon as his withdrawal was perceived the enemy began to advance, and General Early returned to his original position.
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The line to be defended by Barksdale's brigade extended from the Rappahannock, above Fredericksburg, to the rear of Howison's house, a distance of more than two miles. The artillery was posted along the heights in rear of the town.
Before dawn on the morning of the 3rd General Barksdale re- ported to General Early that the enemy had occupied Fredericks- burg in large force and had bridged the Rappahannock river. Hays's brigade was sent to his support, and placed on his extreme left, with the exception of one regiment, stationed on the right of his line behind the Howison house. Seven companies of the Twen- ty-first Mississippi regiment were posted by General Barksdale be- tween the Marye house and the Plank road, the Eighteenth and the three other companies of the Twenty-first occupied the Telegraph road, behind the stone wall, at the foot of Marye's Hill, the two remaining regiments of the brigade being farther to the right on the hills near Howison's house. 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 Gen- eral Wilcox from Banks's Ford, who deployed a few skirm- ishers 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. Two assaults were gallantly repulsed by Barksdale's men and the artillery. After the second, a flag of truce, it was claimed, was sent from the town to obtain permission to provide for the wounded, which was granted.
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