Swisher, Daniel to John Bishoff Jr.
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.40.20 Author/Creator: Swisher, Daniel Place Written: Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania County, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 December 1862 Pagination: 4 p. ; 21 x 25.7 cm. Order a Copy
Swisher has set up a house which has a fire place that he can use to cook. He suspects Bishoff has already heard about the battle of Fredericksburg, so he will not bother to give him all the particulars. His regiment fought for two days with artillery across the Rappahannock. Union men put a pontoon bridge across the Rappahannock. The Rebels were throwing shells as fast as they could in an attempt to knock the pontoon to pieces, but they could not get in range of it. His was the first Union Brigade was to advance through the town. Rebels shot at his regiment but it did not suffer as much as the left of the Brigade on account of being sheltered by the crest of a little hill. His Brigade was relieved after being under fire for three hours. When the Union boys got to town, the citizens "had to skedaddle leaving their tables set," so the Union men took the leftover honey preserves and tobacco. Swisher reports that "a happier set of soldiers you never seen." Some men got into a jewelry store and took haversacks full of watches and jewelry. His company had three men wounded, but he does not know how many the regiment lost (he maintains it was a lucky fight for the regiment). However, the Union men were terribly slaughtered during the battle. Some of them called the fight "Burnside's slaughter" [Major-General Ambrose E. Burnside commanded the Union troops at Fredericksburg]. Swisher is now back at camp, and wants John Bishoff to show his letter to Lydia, since he is out of paper. There are no sutlers now, since "they all have skedaddled to the Rear as usual when Ever a Battle takes place."
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