Our hearts are full of apprehension! A battle is going on at
or near Fredericksburg. The Federal army passed over the river on their
pontoons night before last. They attempted to throw the bridges over it at
three places; from two of these they were driven back with much slaughter; at
the third they crossed. Our army was too small to guard all points. The firing
is very heavy and incessant. We hear it with terrible distinctness from our
portico. God of mercy, be with our people, and drive back the invaders! I ask
not for their destruction; but that they may be driven to their own homes,
never more to put foot on our soil; that we may enjoy the sweets of peace and
security once more. Our dear boys — now as ever — I commit them into Thy hands.
Night. — Passengers report heavy skirmishing before they
left Fredericksburg this morning, but cannonading tells us of bloody work
since. A few wounded men were carried by to-night. We went to the depot to see
if there were any particular friends among them, but found none.
SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern
Refugee, During the War, p. 174-5
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