Summary: Killed, 7; wounded, 18; prisoners, 9; missing, 2.

Total, 36.

The other regiments of the Iron Brigade lost as follows:

Let me record for our children, and our children's children, that the regiment which Wayne county raised in little more than ten days has, on its first field, fully sustained the honor of its State and added glory to the already bright record emblazoned upon the banners of other Michigan regiments.

The day after the battle, General A. P. Hill sent in a flag of truce with which he sent his compliments to General Doubleday in admiration of the unyielding front maintained by his division, and that he never saw troops stand such a shelling in his life. The Confederate truce officer inquired, "What regiment of blue breeches was that which withstood so gallantly the terrible enfilading fire of his batteries the evening before?" He was told that it was the Twenty-fourth Michigan.

On December 19, General Meredith wrote to Colonel Morrow:

The Twenty-fourth Michigan behaved splendidly under a terrific and continuous artillery fire, calculated severely to test the oldest and best disciplined troops, proving themselves worthy of association with the Iron Brigade, and it affords me pleasure to say that the compliments paid the regiment for their gallantry on that occasion are well deserved.

In his official report General Meredith also said:

The Twenty-fourth Michigan is a new regiment, having never before been under fire. They showed themselves worthy of the praises they have received. Their line of battle upon entering the woods was splendid, showing both courage and discipline.

*

Colonel Morrow's regiment led the advance and carried the woods in gallant style, capturing many prisoners and horses. In this affair my attention was particularly directed to this regiment, which had never before been under fire, and I was pleased to see the courage and alacrity with which they performed the duty assigned them. * * The enemy were pressing hard upon my center, evidently with an intention to break it, and I used all the means within my power to strengthen that portion of my line. But there was no danger. The men stood as if rooted to the spot and though suffering severely from the enemy's canister they did not yield an inch of ground.

The Twenty-fourth Michigan made a good appearance in this their first engagement. They were exceedingly anxious to go always to the front, and, resting upon our hard earned laurels, we were generously willing they should do so. But there was little choice of place on that open plain. No soldiers ever faced fire more bravely, and they showed themselves of a fibre worthy to be woven into the woof of the Iron Brigade. Colonel Morrow was equal to all requirements, enterprising, brave, and ambitious, he stepped at once into a circle of the best and most experienced regimental commanders in the Army of the Potomac. - GENERAL DAWES' Service with Sixth Wisconsin.

And thus Colonel, officers and men behaved most nobly. Quartermaster Bell was on the field every day with rations for the men, an exposure to danger rarely made by his class.

Previous to the late battle, the older regiments of the Iron Brigade refused all sociability with our regiment, regarding us with aversion and studiously keeping out of our camp. But its noble conduct on this occasion entirely destroyed this exclusiveness and the greatest cordiality ever after prevailed.

While in camp opposite Fredericksburg, after the battle, the regiment received an agreeable visit of three days from Mr. Stanley G. Wight of Detroit, a brother of Captain Edwin B. Wight. He was a stanch friend of the regiment and during its recruitment period, contributed liberally in its behalf. After remaining in camp four days at this place, the regiment with the Brigade, on Saturday, December 20, moved towards Belle Plain. It marched about ten miles and bivouacked, after wandering about some time on the wrong road. On the morning of the 23d, they moved on to within a mile of Pratt's Landing on the Potomac, near Belle Plain, and began building winter cabins.

LETTER OF CHAPLAIN WILLIAM C. WAY.

CAMP }

STAFFORD CO., VA., Dec. 31, 1862.

The hour and circumstances are indeed solemn. It is almost midnight and all is still save the sound of the mournful wind, whose wintry moans are a fit requiem for the dying year-full of interest and sorrow. It has borne many a brave form to the grave and his spirit to the changeless shores of eternity. Its now dimmed eye has witnessed the tear of anguish as it has coursed from the cheek of father, mother, brother, sister, wife and child, because of the fates of war that have carried sorrow to their once happy home. Some stirring scenes and changes have occurred in the Twenty-fourth. Some of our noble boys sleep in honored graves, fallen in defense of our nation's ensign.

In camp here we have buried two of our men, Joseph Gohir and Marcus G. Wheeler of Company F. Exposure for two nights on the battlefield without blankets, has multiplied our sick. We have for hospital use, a log house and two large tents, with stoves, and straw for bedding, but a lack of proper remedies and food. It is hard for a well man to live on hardtack; much more a sick one. It is almost impossible to get delicacies and medical stores, and the lives of our men are often sacrificed for want of them.

The Twenty-fourth won its spurs in the late battle and has a right to wear the Black Hats,of the "Iron Brigade," the only entire brigade that wears them, and the old regiments say that they can now swear by the Twenty-fourth. A rebel force was concealed in a clump of woods, and Colonel Morrow was given permission to 'clean out the nest." An Aide said to General Doubleday: "This regiment has never been under fire." Colonel Morrow hearing the remark, replied: "That is immaterial, Sir, we will take the wood," and they did. Then General Doubleday rode up to Colonel Morrow and said: "I am satisfied. Your regiment has behaved most splendidly." Lieutenant-Colonel Flanigan proposed three cheers for the General, which were

heard above the din of battle.

A piece of shell struck Captain C. A. Hoyt on the knee, causing a painful contusion. Being advised by the Colonel to retire, he replied: "No, Sir, I have been trying to regard this as a wound, but it won't do. I must try again." Lieutenant C.. C. Yemans performed the duties of Acting Adjutant for forty-eight hours on the battlefield. Corporal Silas H. Wood of I, Sergeant Wm. B. Hutchinson of F and Sergeant William Murray of I distinguished themselves by acts of bravery. The instances of individual acts of bravery are numerous. Right dress" has become a byword in camp since the manual of arms exercise of the regiment under the terrific artillery fire. Many hairbreadth escapes and heroic incidents are related around the campfires.

Memory will carry many of us back to-morrow to other days when peace and prosperity blessed the land, and thousands of brave men who have voluntarily estranged themselves from home were enjoying the gain of their industry with their families 'on New Year's day. With a wish that our friends at home may have a happy New Year, I wrap my blanket around me and lie down to rest as soldiers do. WILLIAM C. WAY, Chaplain.

During the closing days of the year, several officers of the Twenty-fourth resigned, each for sufficient reasons. Before the regiment started for Belle Plain, after the battle, Major Henry W. Nall left it on sick leave to go to Baltimore Hospital. His health was so precarious from arduous service in the Peninsula Campaign, that both himself and some of the officers of the regiment believed he would never return, and their expectations were well founded. Captain Edwin B. Wight was immediately appointed Acting-Major and eventually succeeded to the full majority after the death of Major Nall, a few months later. The following officers resigned about this time: Captains James Cullen, Isaac W. Ingersoll and Warren G. Vinton; and Lieutenants John M. Gordon and John J. Lennon. The resignation of Captain Vinton was against his wishes,. but in compliance with the advice and assurance of the Surgeon that his life depended upon his retirement from the exposures of the field. He had shown great zeal and sacrifice of business and money in the organization of the regiment, and was loth to leave it, and utterly refused to do so until after its first engagement.

During the fall and closing months of 1862, the Western Armies had not been inactive. During August, the general operations of the main armies, east and west, were in favor of the South. On September 16, the Confederates captured 4,000 Union prisoners at Mumfordsville, Kentucky. But on the 19th and 20th, General Rosecrans defeated the Confederates with great loss at Iuka, Mississippi. On October 3d, the Confederates were defeated with great loss at Corinth, Mississippi. The Confederate Army in the

West pushed headlong for Louisville, while Lee was invading Maryland, but was compelled to retreat, during which a bloody battle was fought at Perryville, Kentucky, when it was forced to resume its retreat south.

On December 31st, the battle of Murfreesboro, or Stone's River, in Tennessee, commenced with a Federal repulse. The battle was continued with great slaughter on both sides the two following days. But on January 3d, the Southern Army retreated. Of the many minor engagements east and west, we shall attempt no mention, as they are without the scope and object of this volume. The Union losses only stimulated the iron resolution of the North which showed, amid its reverses, an unfaltering spirit to furnish whatever was required for success, in men and money.