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[[underlined]] 1862
Dec.
& had seen a wounded officer brought in He was a tall fine looking man but was very badly injured in the head He said We had been caught in a trap & badly whipped. The Star to night says that our loss is greater than was first announced that our men are not yet within the city but have only taken the first line of fortifications on the other side of the river. Our loss is estimated at nearly 10,000 That of the enemy very small. We met Mrs. Harris this afternoon She was with Mrs. Gen Sumner. The poor lady was nearly frantic her husband, two sons, & son in law being all at Fredericksburg She cannot expect them all to escape. ----- We have had another lecture from Prof. Wilson on [[underlined]] "Unwritten History"

Wed. 17th.    Say Will Gurley. He said he had just come from Willard's Hotel. An officer had been brought in badly wounded who said we had been caught in a trap at Fredericksburg & badly whipped. Another lecture on "Unwritten History"

[[underlined]]Thursday 18th.    Our troops have been driven back across the river The retreat was made without loss but the numbers killed in the attempt to take the town & fortifications [[strikeout]] have been [[strikethrough]] is immense 10,000 wounded & dying strewed the battle field. It is terrible to think so much blood should be shed in vain. Dr. Parker was here to day he said Gen Burnside Franklin & others had sent a petition to the President protesting against the crossing of the river
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but in spite of their remonstrances they were ordered to do so by the President & Sec. of War. The rebels seem to have lost but little. This battle of Fredericksburg seems to have  been the most bloody yet fought. We met Mrs. Harris on the street yesterday she was with Mrs. Sumner her husband two sons & son in law were also in the fight. She was almost wild with anxiety.  We had a visit from Madame de Linburg & Miss [[Pleasant?]] The latter spoke with great affection of Will she saw him often with James B. Henry.

[[underlined]] Friday 19th. A visit from Mrs. [[Hunter?]]. She had heard indirectly from Mrs. Bell. Col. Bell was in Richmond He had gone there to negotiate for peace. Mrs. Bell will probably loose all her property.

Sat. 20th.     Father has gone to the club. The news to night is that Seward & Chase have both resigned & the rest of the Cabinet will probably follow their example. It is said that Gen. Burnside has also tendered his resignation. Halleck is blamed by the President for the misfortunes at Fredericksburg. Blair also is said to have resigned. --- Mr. McIntyre has just left us. He came last night from the army opposite Fredericksburg where his [[brother?]] is lying sick. He said he came in a train of cars with the wounded. He could not endure the distressing spectacle inside the cars & mounted on top of one of them He was there obliged to seat himself upon a coffin & was in constant fear of 
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