._--The battle of Fredericksburg. Firing commenced
about eleven o'clock in the morning. Captain Tompkins left the battery
to-day, being promoted to Major. Making his farewell speech to us, he
introduced our new commander, Captain Arnold, who addressed the company,
also, saying, he understood we were a fighting set, and he would stick to
us to the last. Shortly after that the command, "forward," was given, and
we went to the outskirts of the town. Shell and shot were ploughing
through the streets already. Our battery went in action by sections,
posted at different roads leading to St. Mary's Heights. The battery kept
up a constant fire all the afternoon. Some of the nine months regiments
behaved very badly, leaving the field ingloriously, without orders.
Battery B, Rhode Island, Frank's New York battery, and Kirby's regular
artillery, smooth-bore guns, were ordered out to encourage the infantry,
while Humphrey's division of regular infantry, were in readiness as a
reserve. General Couch wanted our battery to advance to the extreme front;
but, thanks to Colonel Morgan, chief-of-artillery, who objected to that,
it was not done. Lieutenant Jacob Lamb made the most splendid shots during
the day. Owing to our being covered by houses, our loss was small. Henry
Hicks was shot through both heels by a musket ball, making the amputation
of both of his legs necessary. Captain Arnold's horse was shot. After the
action was over, we occupied the surrounding houses, which were found well
stocked with all sort of provisions. Cooking and eating was kept up all
night. The caissons recrossed the river during the night, for a new supply
of ammunition. The night was very cold, and the groans of the wounded on
the field of battle, sounded terrible.

_Sunday, December 14._--Fredericksburg. The rebel batteries opened early,
firing thirty-two pound shells. One shell took effect in the centre
section, tearing off the head of Sergeant Thompson's horse, splintering
the limber-chest, fracturing a heel of Charles Spencer, and wounding an
infantry man. Our pieces were instantly pulled out of sight. Our infantry
fortified during the night past. We expected another assault to be made
to-day; but General Sumner's advice, in the council of war, was against
it. The rebel sharpshooters kept up an incessant fire all day, killing
quite a number of our men that were exposing themselves. The day was
well-spent by the battery in cooking and baking, Jim Harrison an