December 23, 1862 (Tuesday): Hearts to Feel and Hearts to Serve

Men of the 5th Company, Washington Artillery

HEADQUARTERS FIRST ARMY CORPS,
Near Fredericksburg, Va., December 23, 1862. Colonel J. B. WALTON,
Commanding Battalion Washington Artillery:
    COLONEL: By direction of the lieutenant-general commanding, I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your check for $1,391, the contribution of the troops of your battalion to the fund for the relief of the Fredericksburg sufferers. In making this acknowledgment I and directed to express his admiration for the generous and feeling manner in which your command has responded to the call for relief. The members of the Washington Artillery show that they have hearts to feel as well as hearts to fight.
     I have the honor to be, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,


    G. M. SORREL,
    Assistant Adjutant-General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 51, Part 2, Page 666.

The destruction, by war and vandalism, of homes and property in Fredericksburg elicited both outrage for the acts and sympathy for the civilians of the town.  The Washington Artillery was comprised of prominent men of New Orleans and fought in every battle of the Army of Northern Virginia.  It was attached to Longstreet's Corp, for whom Sorrell was A.A.G.