Week ending date Saturday, December 27, 1862
First hand reports from the Rome volunteers engaging the Federal Troops near Fredericksburg were received in correspondence from the Rome Light Guards. Casualties were Serg’t. Geo. L. Aycock (wounded) and Henry Garrett (wounded by grape shot later died). They reported being under heavy fire for more than a day. http://home.comcast.net/~rometwcourier/1862/4 Oct-Dec/dec 23 1862 tues.pdf Later correspondence indicated the “Abolition army” had retreated.
The 21st Georgia Regiment, which includes the Sharp Shooters, Sardis Volunteers and the Cave Spring Rangers, also wrote the Tri Weekly Courier about their observations of the engagement near Fredericksburg. They listed 25 casualties in 9 companies. http://home.comcast.net/~rometwcourier/1862/4 Oct-Dec/dec 25 1862 thur.pdf
E. C. Hough put up notice that he wished to employ from fifty to one hundred ladies “to tack and make comforts for the army. A remunerative price will be given, equal to $2.25 per day.” http://home.comcast.net/~rometwcourier/1862/4 Oct-Dec/dec 25 1862 thur.pdf
Week ending date Saturday, December 20, 1862:
Quite a few local business men were forced to relocate their place of business in preparation for the hospital coming to downtown Rome. http://home.comcast.net/~rometwcourier/1862/4 Oct-Dec/dec 16 1862 tues.pdf
Although no first hand reports were received yet the late news from Fredericksburg, Virginia indicated that the town was destroyed by shelling and the Federal troops were advancing. http://home.comcast.net/~rometwcourier/1862/4 Oct-Dec/dec 16 1862 tues.pdf
The 8th Georgia Regiment which included the Rome Light Guards later in the week wrote that they were hearing the shelling and “we are in line of battle.” http://home.comcast.net/~rometwcourier/1862/4 Oct-Dec/dec 18 1862 thur.pdfIn response to the rising prices of supplies to publish the Tri-Weekly Courier, in excess of a 100% increase, the paper published new prices of $5 per year “invariably in advance.” http://home.comcast.net/~rometwcourier/1862/4 Oct-Dec/dec 18 1862 thur.pdf
An article stated; “Owing to the difficulty of running the blockade, that friend of juvenility, Santa Claus, finds it hard to obtain his usual varieties of goodies and pretties for his little friends for the coming Christmas.” It was reassuring that Judge W.T. Newman is one of his agents and has on hand “a good supply” but folks were urged to call early. http://home.comcast.net/~rometwcourier/1862/4 Oct-Dec/dec 20 1862 sat.pdf
Week ending date Saturday, December 13, 1862
The staffing of the new hospital continued with the announcement of pay levels for the staff. Chief Matrons from $35 to $40 per month. Assistant Matrons $25 to $ 35, and Ward Masters $25 to $30, and nurses and cooks $18 to $25. The pay was in addition to “rations and lodging.” “In all cases whites are preferred.” http://home.comcast.net/~rometwcourier/1862/4 Oct-Dec/dec 11 1862 thur.pdf
The Tri Weekly Courier announced Capt. C. W. Howard’s company will leave for Savannah on the 22nd. This is a new company that was being formed and the announcement noted that “an opportunity for enlistment is yet open to those who would avoid conscription.” http://home.comcast.net/~rometwcourier/1862/4 Oct-Dec/dec 11 1862 thur.pdf
As for the weather this week; “There is an old saying that ‘three white frosts bring a rain’ but ‘all signs fail in dry weather.’ as we have had heavy white frosts for over a week past, and the weather still continues clear and cold. Fine weather for hog killing, if we had the salt.” http://home.comcast.net/~rometwcourier/1862/4 Oct-Dec/dec 11 1862 thur.pdf
Week ending date Saturday, December 6, 1862
The 8th Ga. Regiment was on the move again with the expectation of defending Fredericksburg. It was rumored that the Federal troops warned the citizens to evacuate as they were going to shell the town. http://home.comcast.net/~rometwcourier/1862/4 Oct-Dec/dec 2 1862 tues.pdf
The Tri-Weekly Courier reported “The necessities of the army require the establishment of a hospital in our city and Surgeon Pim has been ordered here to make all arrangements for the care and comfort of our sick soldiers.” Notices that rooms at City Hall would be used and that laborers were needed to prepare buildings for hospital purposes also appeared. http://home.comcast.net/~rometwcourier/1862/4 Oct-Dec/dec 6 1862 sat.pdf
The Rome Railroad published an advertisement advising that they would not receive or transport any freight unless the owner signed an agreement relieving them of liability. It seems that the government was using all of the railroad’s capacity for troop movement and support. http://home.comcast.net/~rometwcourier/1862/4 Oct-Dec/dec 6 1862 sat.pdf
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