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The following is copied from "The History of The Nineteenth Regiment of Maine Volunteer Infantry 1862-1865". It was written on January 1, 1863, weeks after the Battle of Fredericksburg. Though the excerpt states 'Captain Nash', it is more correct to note that at the time of writing it was Lieutenant Nash of Company F, from Hollowell, Maine. His promotion to Captain, of Company C, is dated December 18, 1863. He was wounded at Gettysburg and Reams' Station and discharged November 28, 1864.

Under date of January 1st, Captain Nash wrote as follows:

"The enemy are still in the Sebastopol behind Fredericksburg, and continue to strongly picket their shore of the river. They appear to be fortifying their present almost impregnable position, with considerable industry. Until the recent order from headquarters, prohibiting communication between pickets, the rebels would manifest a very fraternizing disposition, and frequently forded the river for the purpose of paying our soldiers a friendly visit. These specimens of the rebel army complain much of being in need of blankets, and evince a strong regard for Federal overcoats, frequently opening conversation by striving to barter for one. Tobacco, of which they are abundantly supplied, is their standard of commodity, and which they gladly exchange for coffee, jackknives, pipes, portemonnaies, etc. Our soldiers have had instruction to let them have no clothing, under any circumstances.

"A few weeks since, our Regiment was picketing a portion of the Rappahannock, when a detachment of greybacks came down to the shore and inquired if they might cross. They were told that if they brought no weapons with them they would not be detained, so over they came, loaded with tobacco. They were the Tenth Alabama Regiment. A lieutenant came with them. Tobacco is an article continually in demand among soldiers, and of which at that time our Regiment was nearly destitute. It is needless for me to say, that a good supply of the stuff was husbanded by the Nineteenth on that day. All officers, of course, discountenanced such proceedings and burned all they could get. If the rebels are not open to the crime of conveying comfort to their enemies, I am no judge. Since the return of the Nineteenth from Fredericksburg, we have occupied our old quarters and kill time by company and battalion drills. Our camp is two miles above Fredericksburg and but a short distance from the little village of Falmouth. We are near the river and within shelling distance of the rebels. Three lines of rebel fortifications can be distinctly seen.

"There has been considerable sickness in the Regiment since the cold weather set in and its numbers have decreased sadly. The sick and wounded have been sent to Washington and other places. Our Brigade is composed of the Nineteenth Maine, Thirty-fourth New York, Fifteenth Massachusetts, Eighty-second New York, and First Minnesota Regiments; and is at present commanded by Colonel Morehead, of Pennsylvania, General Howard commands our Division. He frequently visits us, and is ever warmly welcomed. That empty sleeve speaks volumes.

"As to the recent Battle of Fredericksburg, I have little to write. We were there and came back again. The Nineteenth has elicited much praise for its coolness. While the dead were multiplying by the scores, all around, not a soldier of the Nineteenth was known to flinch, notwithstanding a whole brigade, only a few paces in the rear, broke and ran. Our brigade was the second to cross the river and remained in front nearly the entire four days, hourly exposed to the murderous shells of the enemy, as they crashed through buildings. Probably a more dangerous, important and honorable position we will never again be called upon to occupy for so long a period. The greatest calamity of all our cause was the fact that our army was obliged to retire from the hard fought field. But this need not discourage us. The rebels will not meet us in open field. They know, from very sad experience that the Yankees can fight as well and die as nobly as the best chivalry. We will cage them by and by. So let us continue to trust in Providence and General Burnside. Colonel Sewell of our Regiment is at present absent from his command. Lieutenant-Colonel Heath fills his place."

p. 32-33
The History of The Nineteenth Regiment of Maine Volunteer Infantry 1862-1865
by John Day Smith, late a corporal in Company F
Great Western Printing Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota, [1909]