History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates.

1862 BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG. 7
struggle and costly sacrifice was vain. The enemy, relieved by the slackening
of che battle on the left, and the arrival of a fresh corps from Harper's Ferry,
was enabled to concentrate an overwhelming force upon this single corps, and
it was forced to yield. The loss of the regiment was one hundred and twentyfive. Among the killed was Lieutenant Colonel Bell,* a vigilant officer and
most estimable man, and Lieutenants Beaver and Hunsicker. Of the wounded
were Captains Bolton and Hart, Adjutant Shorkly, Quartermaster Freedly and
Lieutenant Lynch. Upon the fall of Lieutenant Colonel Bell, Major Schall was
promoted to fill the vacancy, and Captain William J. Bolton, of company A, was
promoted to Major.
Moving leisurely from the field of Antietam, the army crossed and again
proceeded to the Rappahannock. General Burnside, now in chief command,
determined to cross the river at Fredericksburg, and seek the foe beyond.
Much delay was experienced in bringing up the pontoons, and when they were at
length at hand, the enemy had concentrated in his immediate front, and stood
ready to dispute the passage and contest the ground on the impregnable heights
beyond. General Wilcox was now in command of the Ninth Corps, and on
the afternoon of the 13th of December, the day on which the troops under
Franklin had attacked on the left, it crossed the river upon the pontoons in
front of the town, and advanced by the road leading to the left towards the
heights. At a point intermediate between the heights and the town, the brigade,
consisting of five regiments, under command of General Ferrero, was deployed to right and left under partial cover. Upon emerging from the town,
the troops were at once met by the enemy's fire. A steady fire was returned
but with little effect, his lines lying close and securely behind his einrenchments. A lime-kiln marks the position where the brigade was deployed, Whence
it advanced gallantly, in face of a murderous fire, to a position on the left ot
the line occupied bythe Second Corps. On the evening of the 14th, Sunday, one
regiment, the Eleventh New Hampshire, was ordered forward on picket, and was
hardlyin position, when Colonei Zartranft received orders to proceed with the remaining four regiments, and relieve a division upon the skirmish line. On passing the neighborhood of a hospital, some entrenching tools were discovered scattered about, and the men were ordered to take them forward. Arriving upon the
line they were directed to throw up a breast-work for their protection. This they
at first refused to do, digging not having at this time become fashionable. The
command was renewed and the men fell to work, and when they began to see the
* "After crossing the bridge I took the regiment to the right and halted. When the regiment was re-formed, I moved it from the bed of the road towards the creek, and rested,
while several other regiments passed up the road. Colonel Bell here came up to me, saying that more troops should be sent over. I replied'well, go and see about it.' He went,
but no farther than the bridge, and soon I saw him coming back on the bed of the road, (which
was now clear of troops,) a few feet from the edge of the road nearest the water. When about
thirty yards from the bridge I saw him struck on the left temple, as I at that time thought,
and now believe, by a canister shot. He fell backward and rolled off the road to within six
feet of the water. He spoke freely, saying'never say die,-boys;'' standbythe colors;''take care
of my sword.' He was immediately taken back to the Barn Hospital and examined by some
Surgeon, (our own Surgeons being at another hospital, ) who pronounced his wound not dangerous. Bleeding soon stopped. I directed Sergeant Major Stoneroad to remain with him and
take charge of his effects. I was under orders at this time to move forward, and could not
leave the regiment. In little less than an hour after I received permission to go back to the
hospital to see the Colonel. I saw him, (Sergeant Major with him,) but he did not recognize
me. In an hour after he passed off calmly. "-Letter of General tcartranft.