Thomas Pimer, 21st C.V.I., December 28, 1862
Title
Thomas Pimer, 21st C.V.I., December 28, 1862
Subject
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
United States. Army. Connecticut Infantry Regiment, 21st (1862-1865)
Fredericksburg, Battle of (Virginia : 1862)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Casualties
Racism
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Destruction and pillage
Description
Thomas Pimer describes to his father the Union defeat at the Battle of Fredericksburg and provides graphic details of the casualties. He also expresses disgust at having to fight for the abolition of slavery.
Date
1862-12-28
Identifier
4-4
Text
Camp opposite Fredericksburg Va. Dec. 18th 1862
Dear Father.
I have just received your letter
of the 24th. I was quite glad to hear from you once more
after so long a time, and to know that you are well.
I now sit down to answer for I supposed that you will be
anxious to hear from me now after having been in
Battle it is now two weeks and three days since the
Bombardment and attemted capture of Fredericksburg
in the morning of Thursday Dec 11th the Bombardment
commenced. a heavy firing was kept up all day upon
the City with but little return from the Enemy. on
Friday morning they attemted to lay the Pontoon Bridge
accrost the Rapahanoc but at the first trial the
enemy opened fire upon them and thus began the
second day’s fight. about noon they had got the Bridge
accrost and the troops immediately crossed over and
took possession of the City. the 21th went accrost about
dark and were quartered for the night in the houses
our company was put into a carpenters shop the boys
split up the boards made a good fire spred their Blankets
on the shaving and thus lay very comfortable that night.
the next morning we went arround amongst the
houses and stores and ransacked them from the Garret
to the Cellar. took the flour out of the pantrys and made
[page 2]
Bread and Griddles which we cooked on the stoves. we found
plenty of Honey and jellys of all kinds we lived high
while we were in the city. at one time there was about
a dozen of the boys going up the street and the rebs got
sight of them and they sent a Shell whizzing down the
street. then you ought to have seen the boys scatter they
went in all directions one of the boys ran right towards
the shell and if he had not bent his body, it would have
knocked his head off for sure pop. we all put into the houses
on double quick and did not venture out again untill
the long roll was beaten for us to fall in. it was then about
six oclock the regiment had received orders to advance to
the front which they did do in good order although we
were hindered by stonewalls and wood fences but we
did not mind that we walked right over the fences and
at last reached the front right in the face of the enemys
Batteries which was throwing shot + shell at us thick and
fast some of the shells brushing right in front of us and
others over our heads. we had advanced to within fifty rods
of their Batteries when the Colonell gave the order to halt
saying at the same time (Boys I don’t know what to do) Just
then the Generals orderly rode up and told him to get
his men into as safe position a possible and lay down.
he then ordered us to advance sixteen spaces and lay down
on our arms for the night. which order was willingly obeyed
by all. such hugging the ground you never see the Boys
would get believed one on other and hide their heads
in their blankets and most any where to keep them from
[page 3]
getting hit with pieces of shell and thus that night
passed about five oclock we were awakened by a heavy discharge
of musketry which was a regiment on our left making
a charge on one of the batteries in about an hour the fireing
had began pretty heavy on both sides I expected that we
should have to go into it then in good earnest but we
had orders to go back into the city which we did, and
in about an hour the fireing ceased on both sides and
was not commenced again that day it being Sunday.
all that day we went arround the city just as we had a
mind ransacking ever store and house we came to the
Boys found lots of small things which they kept as trophies.
the next morning Monday the Colonel came and told the
Lieutenant that the second Briggade was to go into the
fight that day and the 21 was to take the lead he told
him to keep as cool as possible and not to get excited
while in action. the plan was laid in the way, the
second Briggade was to make a charge upon three of the
enemys heavyest batteries and to take them if possible
the elevent conn was to go out to skermishes and then
to fall back and our regiment to make the first charge
followed by the eighth sixteenth twelveth + eleventh conn
and 4th rhode Island. we fell in about two oclock and
marched on to the field there we halted to wait for orders.
we stayed there all of the afternoon the rebs fireing a shell
down at us once in while I tell you what Father I
never want to see another Battle field it was an awfull
sight once seen can never be forgotten. there were men
[page 4]
lying in all manner of ways. some with their heads blown off
others with one leg shot away one arm gone and mashed
and mangled all to pieces while those that were still
alive were crawling on their hands and knees asking
where they could find a Hospittall. and there we
stayed expecting every moment to hear the orders to
advance we waited until about ten oclock, and then
Orders came from Burnsides for us to retreat back
accrost the river for we never should be able take
those Batteries in Gods world. so under cover of
the darkness the whole Army retreated in fine style
accrost the river taking the Bridges up as they went
and returned to their old camps. it was a lucky
thing for us that Burnsides altered his mind
for if we had made the change there would not
have been a man in the regiment alive now
to tell the story, for the enemy had all the advantage
of us they being up on the hill and we in the Valley
beneath they had then batteries placed so that
they could sweep all before them. and it was nothing
but complete slaughtering men to send them up
there. Burnsides has made one grand failier and
now had better resign and give some one else a
chance to kill a few more human beings. It was
the first Battle that the regiment has been in,
and I hope it will be the last I am not quite
so patriotic as I was when I enlisted I thought
that I was going to fight to serve my Country
but now I find that we are fighting for the N***r
alone and nothing else shall be glad when I get out of it.
[page 5]
No. 2
I am well and enjoying as good
health as ever I did. we are a little
more comfortably quartered now
than we were when I wrote last
to you we have small shelter tents
made out of cotton Drilling they
are first rate for keeping off the
sun but when it rains they leak
water like mad. it has been very
pleasant weather for the weeks past
but we have had some as cold weather
as I ever saw at home in Dec. I think
that we shall stay here some time
for we have had orders to make our
tents as warm and comfortable as
possible. I should think that they
might give us warmer tents for a
month or two. I have plenty of good
Wollen Shirts I have two on and
three in my knapsacks. the only
things that I am in need of now
[page 6]
are stockings and Boots I received
the stockings that Carl sent also
the gloves I was glad to get the stocks
for my feet had been all on the
ground for a long time. the gloves
that he sent were not fit for me to
wear out here they were small and
to thin I should like a pair of
Buckskin Gloves the boys have
lots of them sent out to them.
I am now Captain’s Clerk and have
all the company writing to do I
don’t have to stand Guard or drill
am free from all duty I have been
making out the muster + Pay rolls
this week it is quite a job and has
to be done neat I am in hopes that
they will settle this war by spring
for I should like to see Old N L
once more. I hear that business
is renewing there. I hope that they
will get the Navy Yard there
[page 7]
if they do it will be the building up
of the old place. I have nothing more
that is of any account to write and
am pretty tired so I must close.
give my love to mother tell her than
I should have liked some of her
Christmas Dinner first rate. give
my respects to Mr Shaw, Del and
all inquiring friends and now
I will close this time by hoping
that you enjoyed a happy Christmas
and by wishing you all a Happy New
Year.
From Your Loving
Son
T.H. Pimer
Dear Father.
I have just received your letter
of the 24th. I was quite glad to hear from you once more
after so long a time, and to know that you are well.
I now sit down to answer for I supposed that you will be
anxious to hear from me now after having been in
Battle it is now two weeks and three days since the
Bombardment and attemted capture of Fredericksburg
in the morning of Thursday Dec 11th the Bombardment
commenced. a heavy firing was kept up all day upon
the City with but little return from the Enemy. on
Friday morning they attemted to lay the Pontoon Bridge
accrost the Rapahanoc but at the first trial the
enemy opened fire upon them and thus began the
second day’s fight. about noon they had got the Bridge
accrost and the troops immediately crossed over and
took possession of the City. the 21th went accrost about
dark and were quartered for the night in the houses
our company was put into a carpenters shop the boys
split up the boards made a good fire spred their Blankets
on the shaving and thus lay very comfortable that night.
the next morning we went arround amongst the
houses and stores and ransacked them from the Garret
to the Cellar. took the flour out of the pantrys and made
[page 2]
Bread and Griddles which we cooked on the stoves. we found
plenty of Honey and jellys of all kinds we lived high
while we were in the city. at one time there was about
a dozen of the boys going up the street and the rebs got
sight of them and they sent a Shell whizzing down the
street. then you ought to have seen the boys scatter they
went in all directions one of the boys ran right towards
the shell and if he had not bent his body, it would have
knocked his head off for sure pop. we all put into the houses
on double quick and did not venture out again untill
the long roll was beaten for us to fall in. it was then about
six oclock the regiment had received orders to advance to
the front which they did do in good order although we
were hindered by stonewalls and wood fences but we
did not mind that we walked right over the fences and
at last reached the front right in the face of the enemys
Batteries which was throwing shot + shell at us thick and
fast some of the shells brushing right in front of us and
others over our heads. we had advanced to within fifty rods
of their Batteries when the Colonell gave the order to halt
saying at the same time (Boys I don’t know what to do) Just
then the Generals orderly rode up and told him to get
his men into as safe position a possible and lay down.
he then ordered us to advance sixteen spaces and lay down
on our arms for the night. which order was willingly obeyed
by all. such hugging the ground you never see the Boys
would get believed one on other and hide their heads
in their blankets and most any where to keep them from
[page 3]
getting hit with pieces of shell and thus that night
passed about five oclock we were awakened by a heavy discharge
of musketry which was a regiment on our left making
a charge on one of the batteries in about an hour the fireing
had began pretty heavy on both sides I expected that we
should have to go into it then in good earnest but we
had orders to go back into the city which we did, and
in about an hour the fireing ceased on both sides and
was not commenced again that day it being Sunday.
all that day we went arround the city just as we had a
mind ransacking ever store and house we came to the
Boys found lots of small things which they kept as trophies.
the next morning Monday the Colonel came and told the
Lieutenant that the second Briggade was to go into the
fight that day and the 21 was to take the lead he told
him to keep as cool as possible and not to get excited
while in action. the plan was laid in the way, the
second Briggade was to make a charge upon three of the
enemys heavyest batteries and to take them if possible
the elevent conn was to go out to skermishes and then
to fall back and our regiment to make the first charge
followed by the eighth sixteenth twelveth + eleventh conn
and 4th rhode Island. we fell in about two oclock and
marched on to the field there we halted to wait for orders.
we stayed there all of the afternoon the rebs fireing a shell
down at us once in while I tell you what Father I
never want to see another Battle field it was an awfull
sight once seen can never be forgotten. there were men
[page 4]
lying in all manner of ways. some with their heads blown off
others with one leg shot away one arm gone and mashed
and mangled all to pieces while those that were still
alive were crawling on their hands and knees asking
where they could find a Hospittall. and there we
stayed expecting every moment to hear the orders to
advance we waited until about ten oclock, and then
Orders came from Burnsides for us to retreat back
accrost the river for we never should be able take
those Batteries in Gods world. so under cover of
the darkness the whole Army retreated in fine style
accrost the river taking the Bridges up as they went
and returned to their old camps. it was a lucky
thing for us that Burnsides altered his mind
for if we had made the change there would not
have been a man in the regiment alive now
to tell the story, for the enemy had all the advantage
of us they being up on the hill and we in the Valley
beneath they had then batteries placed so that
they could sweep all before them. and it was nothing
but complete slaughtering men to send them up
there. Burnsides has made one grand failier and
now had better resign and give some one else a
chance to kill a few more human beings. It was
the first Battle that the regiment has been in,
and I hope it will be the last I am not quite
so patriotic as I was when I enlisted I thought
that I was going to fight to serve my Country
but now I find that we are fighting for the N***r
alone and nothing else shall be glad when I get out of it.
[page 5]
No. 2
I am well and enjoying as good
health as ever I did. we are a little
more comfortably quartered now
than we were when I wrote last
to you we have small shelter tents
made out of cotton Drilling they
are first rate for keeping off the
sun but when it rains they leak
water like mad. it has been very
pleasant weather for the weeks past
but we have had some as cold weather
as I ever saw at home in Dec. I think
that we shall stay here some time
for we have had orders to make our
tents as warm and comfortable as
possible. I should think that they
might give us warmer tents for a
month or two. I have plenty of good
Wollen Shirts I have two on and
three in my knapsacks. the only
things that I am in need of now
[page 6]
are stockings and Boots I received
the stockings that Carl sent also
the gloves I was glad to get the stocks
for my feet had been all on the
ground for a long time. the gloves
that he sent were not fit for me to
wear out here they were small and
to thin I should like a pair of
Buckskin Gloves the boys have
lots of them sent out to them.
I am now Captain’s Clerk and have
all the company writing to do I
don’t have to stand Guard or drill
am free from all duty I have been
making out the muster + Pay rolls
this week it is quite a job and has
to be done neat I am in hopes that
they will settle this war by spring
for I should like to see Old N L
once more. I hear that business
is renewing there. I hope that they
will get the Navy Yard there
[page 7]
if they do it will be the building up
of the old place. I have nothing more
that is of any account to write and
am pretty tired so I must close.
give my love to mother tell her than
I should have liked some of her
Christmas Dinner first rate. give
my respects to Mr Shaw, Del and
all inquiring friends and now
I will close this time by hoping
that you enjoyed a happy Christmas
and by wishing you all a Happy New
Year.
From Your Loving
Son
T.H. Pimer
Original Format
ALS
Files
Collection
Citation
“Thomas Pimer, 21st C.V.I., December 28, 1862,” Linda Lear Center Digital Collections and Exhibitions, accessed April 26, 2024, https://lc-digital.conncoll.edu/items/show/1711.