December 15, 1862
Title
December 15, 1862
Subject
From George Murray to his parents, dated 15DEC1862, from battlefield near Fredericksburg. Troop movements, lost his knapsack. Lost 35 from the regiment. Asks for stamps and stationary. In pencil on lined sheet, seal at top. Creased and soiled, especially on back. Faded. Treated 7/1994 by S. Filter/J. Herrick.
UNIT ASSOCIATION: 114th PA Infantry
-Information provided by the courtesy of the National Park Service
UNIT ASSOCIATION: 114th PA Infantry
-Information provided by the courtesy of the National Park Service
Description
From the battlefield Near Fred. Dec 15th 1862.
Dear Father & Mother.
I sit down to let you know that I am safe and sound. Tell Mr. Helen that Fred is safe. Al Beal, Ed Simms, C. Wells, Has Bill and Charley Gentry Joe Niles and all of the Bustleton boys are safe and sound. Ed Dewees was not in the battle as he was sick in the Hospital. We entered the battlefield about two o'clock on Saturday afternoon, and were relieved about five or six o'clock Monday morning. We left camp about 5 o'clock Thursday morning, and marched about quart. of a mile from camp where we laid all of that day till about five o'clock, we then started and marched down to the railroad about a quarter of a mile from the river and opposite to Fredericksburg; we started the next night and marched three or four miles down the river bank and crossed the river the next morning about three or four miles from the camp. When we entered the field the rebels were throwing shells thick and fast. Monday night about nine o'clock we silently left the battlefield, and crossed the river again; Tuesday morning we started again and arrived at our old camping ground about ten o'clock. All of the boys are sound and well. I wish you would send me some papers with an account of the battle. I received the four dollars that you sent me by the major, and also that dollar you sent to me in a letter. We have had orders to fix up or tents, as warm as possible. I would like to have some towels as I lost my knapsack. The loss in our regiment is estimated to be about thirty five. But I must close. I wish you would send me some paper, envelopes and postage stamps.
Yours
G. Murray.
-Transcript provided by the courtesy of the National Park Service
Dear Father & Mother.
I sit down to let you know that I am safe and sound. Tell Mr. Helen that Fred is safe. Al Beal, Ed Simms, C. Wells, Has Bill and Charley Gentry Joe Niles and all of the Bustleton boys are safe and sound. Ed Dewees was not in the battle as he was sick in the Hospital. We entered the battlefield about two o'clock on Saturday afternoon, and were relieved about five or six o'clock Monday morning. We left camp about 5 o'clock Thursday morning, and marched about quart. of a mile from camp where we laid all of that day till about five o'clock, we then started and marched down to the railroad about a quarter of a mile from the river and opposite to Fredericksburg; we started the next night and marched three or four miles down the river bank and crossed the river the next morning about three or four miles from the camp. When we entered the field the rebels were throwing shells thick and fast. Monday night about nine o'clock we silently left the battlefield, and crossed the river again; Tuesday morning we started again and arrived at our old camping ground about ten o'clock. All of the boys are sound and well. I wish you would send me some papers with an account of the battle. I received the four dollars that you sent me by the major, and also that dollar you sent to me in a letter. We have had orders to fix up or tents, as warm as possible. I would like to have some towels as I lost my knapsack. The loss in our regiment is estimated to be about thirty five. But I must close. I wish you would send me some paper, envelopes and postage stamps.
Yours
G. Murray.
-Transcript provided by the courtesy of the National Park Service
Creator
George Murray
Date
December 15, 1862
Files
Collection
Citation
George Murray , “December 15, 1862,” Slaughter-Murray Papers, accessed April 17, 2026, https://slaughtermurray.umwhistory.org/items/show/67.