Joseph decided to stay in the army, but the winter was so difficult that soldiers from both sides left in large numbers. Below is Joseph's description of the winter encampment. After you read it, watch the video of Ranger Pete explaining camp life in the Army of Northern Virginia.
News is very scarce…since my last note the weather has been very bad, we had one of the deepest snos day before yesterday, that I ever saw...in places it was knee deep…I started a letter home this week, I have not got a letter from home in about two months, I do wish they would write... We have had a good deel of bad weather, rain sleet and snow. It snowed all day yesterday, and has been raining all day today; we have had nothing to do but make fires, get wood and cook our rations…I have not yet got any letter from home What can be the matter They have never failed to write once a week before…Parson O is carrying on a protracted meeting in town, I supose he has some warm times, I have not been well for several days and have not attended them They say the chirch is constantly crowded.
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Objects tell stories too!
Below are some artifacts on display in the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center that tell us more about the winter encampment. Click on an image to get a closer look and learn more!