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 REPORT 
 
 OF 
 
 GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE, 
 
 AND SUBORDINATE REPORTS 
 
 OF THK 
 
 BATTLE OF CIIANCELLORSVILLE; 
 
 ALSO, 
 
 REPORTS 6F MAJOR GENERAL J. E. B. STUART \TSl) 
 BRIGADIER GENERAL FITZ LEE, OF CAVALRY 
 ENGAGEMENTS AT KELLEYSVILLE. . 
 
 ALSO, 
 
 REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL W. H. F. LEE, AND 
 
 SUBORDINATES, OF CAVALRY OPERATIONS OF 
 
 THE 14th AND 15th OF APRIL, 1863. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF CONGRESS. 
 
 RICHMOND : 
 
 R M. SMITH, PUBLIC PRINTER, 
 1864. 
 
7>. <i 
 
 THE FLOWERS COLLECTION 
 
 3 
 
 d 7 H ft k 
 
 MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. 
 
 Richmond, Va., Dec 31, 1863. 
 Jb f//e House of Reprcsentatir 
 
 In further response to your resolution of tho 1 1th instant, I here- 
 with transmit for your information a communication from the Secre- 
 tary of War, covering copies of several reports of military operations.. 
 
 JEFFERSON DAVIS. 
 
 COMMUNICATION OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR. 
 
 Confederate States of America, ) 
 War Department, > 
 
 Richmmd, Va., December 30, 1SG3. S 
 
 To Ilis Excellency, the President : 
 
 Str : I have the honor to forward herewith, for the information of 
 the House of Representatives, copies of the reports of Major General 
 J. E. B. Stuart and Brigadier General Fit/. ,Lc<«. of cav.-il ry engage- 
 ment at Kelleysville ; reports of Brigadier General W. IT. F, Lee and 
 his subordinates, of cavalry operations it the 14th ami 15th of April, 
 1863 ; reports of General Lee and his pubordinates, of the battle of 
 Chanc^llorsville. 
 
 I am, sir, respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 JAMES A. SEDDON, 
 
 Secretary of War. 
 
 315909 
 
BATTLE OF CIIANCELLOKSVILLE. 
 
 REPORT OF GENERAL R. E. LEE. 
 
 Headquarters Army Northern Virginia, ) 
 September 21, 1863. $ 
 
 General S. Cooper, 
 
 Adjutant and Inspector General, C. S. A. y Richmond, Va.: 
 
 General : After the battle of Fredericksburg, the army remained 
 encamped on the south side of the Rappahannock until the latter part 
 of April. The Federal army occupied the north side of the river, 
 opposite Fredericksburg, extending to the Potomac. Two brigades 
 of Anderson's division, those of Generals Mahone and Posey, were 
 stationed near the United States Mine or Bark Mill ford ; and a third, 
 under command of General Wilcox, guarded Banks' ford. The cav- 
 alry was distributed on both flanks — Fitzhugh Lee's brigade picketing 
 the Rappahnnnock above the mouth of the Rapidan, and W. II. F. 
 Lee's near Port Royal. Hampton's brigade had been sent into the 
 interior to recruit. General Longstreet, with two divisions of his 
 corps, was detached for service south of James river, in February, 
 and did not rejoin the army until after the battle of Chancellorsville. 
 With the exception of the engagement between Fitz Lee's brigade 
 and the enemy's cavalry near Kelley's ford, on the 17th of March, 
 1863, of which a brief report has been already forwarded to the De- 
 partment, nothing of interest transpired during this period of inac- 
 tivity. 
 
 On the 1 4th of April, intelligence was received that the enemy's 
 cavalry was concentrating en the upper Rappahannock. Their efforts 
 to establish themselves on the south side of the river were successfully 
 resisted by Fitz Lee's brigade and two regiments of W. II. F. Lee's, 
 the whole under the immediate command of General Stuart. About 
 the 21st, small bodies of infantry appeared at Kelley's ford and the 
 Rappahannock bridge, and almost at the same time a demonstration 
 was made opposite Port Royal, where a party of infantry crossed the 
 river about the 23d. These movements were evidently intended to 
 conceal the designs of the enemy ; but, taken in connection with the 
 
 315909 
 
reports of seout3, indicated that the Federal army, now commanded 
 by Major General Hooker, >vas about to resume active operations. 
 At half-past five o'clock, A. M., the 28th of April, the enemy crossed 
 the Rappahannock in boats, near Fredericksburg^ and, dtiving off the 
 pickets on the river-, proceeded to lay down a pontoon bridge, a short 
 distance below the mouth of Deep run. Later in the forenoon, another 
 "bridge was constructed about a mile below the fiTst. A considerable 
 force crossed on these bridges during the day. and was massed out of view 
 under the high banks of the river. The bridges, as well as the troops, 
 were effectually protected from our artillery by the depth of the river's 
 bed and the narrowness of the stream, while the batteries on the op- 
 posite heights completely commanded the wide plain between our 
 lines and "the river. 
 
 As in the first battle of Fred2ricksburg, it was thought best to se- 
 lect positions with a view to resist the advance of the enemy, rather 
 than incur the heavy loss that would attend any attempt to prevent 
 his crossing. Our dispositions were accordingly made as on the for- 
 mer occasion. No demonstration was made opposite any other point 
 of our lines at Fredericksburg, and the strength of the force that had 
 crossed, and its apparent indisposition to attack indicated that the 
 principal effort of the enemy would be made in some other quarter, 
 impression was confirmed by intelligence received from General 
 Stuart, that a large body of infantry and artillery wa3 passing up the 
 river. During the forenoon of the 29th, that officer reported that 
 the enemy had crossed in force near Kelley's ford, on the preceding 
 evening. Later in the day, he announced that a heavy column was 
 moving from Kelly's towards Germana ford, on the Rapidan, and an- 
 other towards Ely's ford, on that river. The routes they were pur- 
 suing, after crossing the Rapidan, converge near Chancellorsville, 
 whence several roads lead to the rear of our position at Fredericks- 
 burg. 
 
 On the night of the 29th, General Anderson was directed to pro- 
 ceed towards Chancellorsville, and dispose Wright's brigade and the 
 troops from the Bark Mill ford, to cover these roads. Arriving at 
 Chancellorsville about midnight, he found the commands of Generals 
 Mahooe and Posey already there, having been withdrawn from the 
 Bark Mill ford, with the exception of a small guard. Learning that 
 the enemy had crossed the Rapidan and were approaching in strong 
 .force, General Anderson retired early on the moining of the 30th, to 
 the intersection of the Mine and plank roads, near Tabernacle church, 
 and begau to entrench himself. The enemy's cavalry skirmished with 
 his rear guard as he left Chancellorsville, but being vigorously re- 
 pulsed by Mahone's brigade, offered no further opposition to his 
 march. Mahone was placed on the old turnpike, Wright and Posey 
 on the pi ink road. In the meantime General Stuart had been di- 
 rected to endeavor to impede the progress of the column marching 
 by way of Germana ford. Detaching W. II. F. Lee, with his two 
 regiments, the ninth and thirteenth Virginia, to oppose the maia 
 body of the enemy's cavalry, General Stuart crossed the Rapidan at 
 Raccoon ford, with Fits. Leo's brigade, on the night of the 29th. 
 
Halting to give hip, men a few hours' repose, ho ordered Colonel 
 Owens, with the thiid •Vrginia cavahy, to throw himself in front of 
 the enemy, "while the rest of the brigade attacked his right Hank, at 
 the Wilderness tavern, between Geimana ford and Chanceilorsviile. 
 By this means the match of this column was delayed until twelve 
 M., when learning that the one from Ely's ford, had already readied 
 Chanceilorsviile. General Stuart marched by Todd's tavern towards 
 Spottsylvania Court-House, to put himself in communication with the 
 main body of the army, and Colonel Owens feii hack upon General 
 Anderson. 
 
 The enemy in our front, near Fredericksburg continued inactive, 
 and it was now apparent that the main attack would be made upon 
 our flank and rear. It was therefore determined to leave sufficient 
 troops to hold our lines, and, with the main body of the army, to give 
 battle to the approaching column. Early's division of Jack 
 corps, and Barksdale's brigade of McL ision, with part of the 
 
 reserve artillery, under General Pendleton, were entrusted with the 
 defence of on: i at Fn urg, and at midnight, on the 
 
 30th, General Mb Law a marched with the rest of hiscomnand towards 
 Chanceilorsviile. General Jackson followed at dawn next, morning, 
 with the remaining divisions of his corps, lie. reached the position 
 occupied by General Ai dei a at eight A. M., and immediately be- 
 gan preparations to advance. At eleven A. M., the troops moved 
 forward upon the plank and old turnpike roads — Anderson with the 
 brigades of Wright and Posey, leading on the former, McLaws, with 
 his three brigades, preceded by Mahone's, on the latter. Generals 
 Wih-ox and Perry, of Anderson's division, co-operated with Mel 
 
 troops followed Anderson on the plank road. Colonel Ai- 
 der's battalion of artillery accompanied the advance. The ei 
 was soon encountered on both roads, and heavy skirmishing within- 
 fantry and artillery ensued, our troops pressing steadily forward. 
 A strong attack upon General McLaws was repulsed with spirit by 
 Semmes' brigade; and General Wright', by direction of General An- 
 derson, diverging to thejeft of the plank road, marched by way of 
 the unfinished railroad from Fredericksburg to Gordonsville, and turned 
 the enemy's tight. His whole line thereupon retreated rapidly, vig- 
 orously pursued by our troops, until they arrived within about one 
 mile of Chanceilorsviile. Here, the enemy had assumed a position 
 of great natural Btrength, surrounded on all sides b}' a den;o forest, 
 filled with a tangled undergrowth, in the midst of which breastworks 
 of logs had been constructed, with trees felled in front so as to form 
 an almost impenetrable aha,'! is. ITU artillery swept the few narrow 
 roads by which his position could be approached from the front, and 
 commanded the adjacent woods. The left of his line extended from 
 Chanceilorsviile towards the Rappahannock, covering the Bark Mill 
 ford, where he communicated with the north bank of the river, by a 
 pontoon bridge. Bis tight stretched we^ward along the Germana ford 
 more than two miles. ! • . proaching before the 
 
 Ittength and extent of his line could be ascertained, and as the nato 
 the country rendered it hazardous to attack by night, our troops were 
 
8 
 
 halted and formed in line of battle in front of Chancellorsville. at 
 right angles, to the plank road, extending on the right to the mine 
 road, and to the left in the direction of the Catharine furnace. 
 
 Colonel Wickham, with the fourth Virginia cavalry and Colonel 
 Owen's regiment, was stationed between the mine road and the Rap- 
 pahannock. The rest of the cavalry was upon our left flank. It 
 was evident that a direct attack upon the enemy would be attended 
 with great difficulty and loss, in view of the strength of his position 
 and his superiority of numhers. It was therefore resolved to en- 
 deavor to turn his right flank and gain his rear, leaving a force in 
 front to hold him in check and conceal the movement. The execution 
 of this plan was entrusted to Lieutenant General Jackson, with his 
 three divisions. The commands of Generals McLaws and Anderson, 
 with the exception of Wilcox's brigade, which during the night had 
 been ordered back to Banks' ford, remained in front of the enemy. 
 Farly on the morning of the 2nd General Jackson marched by the 
 Furnace and Brock roads, his movement being effectually covered by 
 Fitz Lee's cavalry, under General Stuart in person. As the rear of 
 the train wa8 passing the furnace, a large force of the enemy 
 advanced from Chancellorsville and attempted its capture. General 
 Jackson had left the twenty-third Georgia regiment, under Colonel 
 Best, at this point to guard his flank ; and, upon the approach of the 
 enemy, Lieutenant Colonel J. T. Brown, whose artillery was passing 
 at the time, placed a battery in position to aid in chef-king his 
 advance. A small number of men who were marching to join their 
 commands, including Captain Moore, with his two companies of the 
 fourteenth Tennessee regiment, of Archer's brigade, reported to 
 Colonel Brown and supported his guns. The enemy was kept back 
 by this small force until the train had passed, but his superior num- 
 bers enabled him subsequently to surround and capture the greater 
 part of the twenty-third Georgia regiment. General Anderson wa8 
 directed t-> send a brigade to resist the further progress of this 
 column, and detached General Ptsey for that purpose. General 
 Posey became warmly engaged with a superior force, but being rein- 
 forced by General Wright, the enemy's advance was arrested. After 
 a long and fatiguing march, General Jackson's leading division, under 
 General Rodes, reached the old turnpike, about three miles in rear of 
 Chancellorsville, at four, P. M. As the different divisions arrived 
 they were formed at right angles to the road — Rodes in front, Trim- 
 ble's division, under Brigadier General Colston, in the second, and 
 A. P. Hill's in the third line. At six, P. M., the advance was 
 ordered. The enemy were taken by surprise and fled, after a biief 
 resistance. General Rodes' men pushed forward with great vigor and 
 enthusiasm, followed closely by the second and third lines. Position 
 after position was carried, the guns captured, and every effort of the 
 enemy to rally defeated by the impetuous- rush of our troops. In the 
 ardor of pursuit through the thick and tangled woods, the first and 
 second lines at last became %iingled and moved on together as one. 
 The enemy made a stand at a line of breastworks across the road at 
 the house of Melzie Chancellor, but the troops of Rodes and Colston 
 
dashed over the entrenchments together, and the fight and pursuit 
 were resumed and continued until our advance was arrested by the 
 abattis in front of the line of works near the central position at 
 Chancellorsville. It was now dark, and General Jackson ordered the 
 third line, under General Hill, to advance to the front and relieve the 
 troops of Rodes and Colston, who were completely blended and in 
 such disorder from their advance through intricate woods and over 
 broken ground that it was necessary to reform them. As Hill's men 
 moved forward, General Jackson, with his staff and escort returning 
 from tho extreme front, met his skirmishers advancing, and, in the 
 obscurity of the night, were mistaken for the enemy and fired upon. 
 Captain Boswell, chief engineer of the corps, and several others 
 were killed and a number wounded. General Jackson himself 
 received a severe injury and was borne from the field. The command 
 devolved upon Major General Hill, whose division, under General 
 Heth, was advanced to the line of entrenchments which had been 
 reached by Rodes and Colston. A furious fire of artillery was opened: 
 upon them by the enemy, under cover of which his infantry advanced 
 to the attack. They were handsomely repulsed by the fifty-fifth Vir- 
 ginia regiment, under Colonel Mallory, who was killed while bravely 
 leading his men. General Hill was soon afterwards disabled, and 
 Major General Stuart, who had been directed by General Jackson to- 
 seize the road to Ely's ford in rear of the enemy, was sent for to take 
 command. At this time the right of Hill's division was attacked by 
 the column of the enemy already mentioned as having penetrated to 
 the furnace, which had been recalled to Chancellorsville to avoid 
 being cut off by the advance of Jackson. This attack was gallantly 
 met and repulsed by the eighteenth and twenty-eighth and a portion. 
 Of the thirty-third North Carol. na regiments, Lane's brigade. 
 
 Upon General Stuart's arrival, soon afterwards, the command was 
 turned over to him by General Hill. He immediately proceeded to 
 reconnoitre the ground and make himself acquainted with the dispo- 
 eition of the troops. The darkness of the night and the difficulty of 
 moving through the woods and undergrowth rendered it advisable to 
 defer further operations until morning, and the troops rested on their 
 arms in line of battle. Colonel Crutchfield, chief of artillery of the 
 corps, was severely wounded, and Colonel Alexander, senior artillery 
 officer present, was engaged during the entire night in selecting posi- 
 tions for our batteries. As soon as the sound of cannon gave notice 
 of Jackson's attack on the enemy's right, our troops in front of Chan- 
 cellorsville were ordered to press him strongly on tho left, to prevent 
 reinforcements being sent to the point assailed. They were directed 
 not to attack in force, unless a favorable opportunity should present 
 itself, and while continuing to cover the roads leading from their 
 respective positions towards Chancellorsville, to incline to the left, so 
 as to connect with Jackson's right as he closed in upon the centre. 
 These orders were well executed, our troops advancing up to tho 
 enemy's entrenchments, while several batteries played with good 
 effect upon his lines, until prevented by the increasing darkness. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 3d, General Stuart renewed the attack 
 
10 
 
 upon the enemy, who had strengthened his right during the night 
 with additional breastworks, while a large, number of guns, protected 
 1 v entrenchments, were posted so ;is to sweep the woods through 
 which our troops had to advance. Hill's division was in front, with 
 Colston in the second hue ajid Bodes in the third. The second and 
 third lines soon advanced to the support of the first, and the whole 
 became hotly engaged. The breastworks at which the attack was sus- 
 pended the pree ding evening, were carried by assault, under a terri- 
 Sre of musketry and artillery. In rear of these breastworks was a 
 barricade from which the enemy was quickly driven. The troops on 
 the left of the plank road pressing through the woods, attacked and 
 broke the next line, while those on the right bravely assailed the 
 extensive earthworks behind which the enemy's artillery was posted. 
 Throe times were these works carried, and ss often Were the brave 
 assailants compelled to abandon them — twice by the retirement of the 
 troops on their left, who fell back after a gallant struggle with supe- 
 rior numbers, and once by a movement of the enem) on their right, 
 caused by the advance of General Anderson. The left being rein- 
 forced, finally succeeded in driving back the enemy, and the artillery, 
 und^r Lieutenant Colonels Carter and Jones, being thrown forward 
 to occupy favorable positions, secured by the advance of the infantry, 
 began to play with great precision and effect. Anderson, in the 
 meantime, pressed gallantly forward, directly upon Chancellorsville, 
 his right resting upon the plank road and his left extending around 
 the furnace, while McLaws made a strong demonstration to the right 
 of the road. As the troops advancing upon the enemy's front and 
 right, converged upon his central position, Anderson effected a junc- 
 tion with Jackson's corps, and the whole line pressed irresistibly on. 
 The enemy was driven from all his fortified positions Avith heavy lots 
 in killed, wounded, and prisoners, and retreated towards the Rappa- 
 hannock. By ten, A. M., we were in full possession of the field. The 
 troops having become somewhat scattered, by the difficulties of the 
 ground and the ardor of the contest, were immediately reformed pre- 
 paratory to renewing the attack. The enemy had withdrawn to a 
 strong position nearer to the Rappahannock, which he had previously 
 fortified His superiority cf numbers, the unfavorable nature of the 
 ground, which was densely wooded, and the condition of our troops 
 after the arduous and sanguinary conflict in which they had been 
 engaged, rendered great caution necessary. Our preparations were 
 just completed, when further operations were arrested by intelligence 
 received f:om Fredericksburg. 
 
 General Early had been instructed, in the event of the enemy with- 
 drawing from his front and moving up the river, to join the main 
 body of the army, with so much of his command as could be spared 
 from the defence of his lines. This order was repeated on the 2d, 
 but by a misapprehension on the part of the officer conveying it, 
 General Early was directed to move unconditionally. Leaving Hays' 
 brigade and one regiment of Barkadale's at Fredericksburg, and 
 directing a part of General Pendleton's artillery to be sent to the 
 rear, in compliance with the order delivered to him, General Early 
 
u 
 
 moved with the rest of his command- towards Chanoellorsville. As 
 soon as his withdraw*! was perceived, the enemy began to give cvi- 
 d< nee of an intention to advance, hut the mistake in rhe transmission 
 of the order being corrected, Genera] Early returned to his original 
 po-ition. The line to he defended by Barksdales brigade extended 
 from the Rappahannock, above Fredericksburg, to the rear of llowi- 
 eon's house, a distance of more than two miles. The artillery. was 
 posted along the heights in rear of the town. Before dawn; on tho 
 morning of the 3d, General Barksdale reported to General Early that 
 the enemy hud occupied Fredericksburg in largo force, and laid 
 down a bridge at the town. Hays' brigade was sent to his support 
 and placed on his extreme left, with the exception of one regiment, 
 Btationed on the right of his line behind Howison's house. Seven 
 companies of the twenty-first Mississippi regiment were posted by 
 Genera! Birksdale between the Marye house and the plank road; the 
 eighteenth and the three other companies of the twenty-first 
 pied the telegraph road at the foot; of Marye's hill, the two remain- 
 ing regiments of the brigade bein^ further to ihe right on the hills 
 near to Howison's house. The enemy made a demonstration against 
 the extreme right which was easily repulsed by General Early. 3oon 
 afterwards a column moved from Fredericksburg along the river 
 banks, as if to gain the heights on the extreme left, which com- 
 manded those immediately in rear of the town. This was 
 foiled by General Hays, and the arrival of General Wilcox from 
 Banks 1 ford, who deployed a few skirmishers on the hill, near Tay- 
 lor's house, and opened upon the enemy with a section of artilh 
 
 soon the enemv advanced in large force against Maryc'a and tho 
 hills to the right and left of it. Two assaults were gallantly 
 repulsed bj Barksdale's men and the artillery. After the second, a 
 flag of truce was sent from the town to obtain permission to provide 
 the wounded. Three heavy lines advanced immediately upon tho 
 return of the flag, an i renewed the attack. They were bravely 
 repulsed on the right and left, but the small force at the foot of 
 Marye's hill, overpowered by more than ten times their numbers, was 
 captured, after a heroic resistance, and the hill carried. Eight pieces 
 of artillery were taken on Marye's ami the adjacent heig ts. The 
 remaindei of Barksdale's brigade, together with that of General 1 1 
 ami the artillery on tho ri^hr,, retired down the telegraph road. 
 
 Th »f the enemy enabled him to threaten oar communica- 
 
 tions by moving flown the telegraph toad, or to come upon our rear at 
 Cnancellorsville by the plank road. He at first advanced on the 
 former, but was checked by General Early, who had halted the com- 
 mands of HaiKsdale and Hays, with the artillery, about two t 
 from Marye'e hill, and reinforced them with three regiments cf Gor- 
 don's brigade. 
 
 The criPinv tlmn lug rj to advance up the plank road, his pro;p 
 being gallantly disputed by the brigade of General Wilcox, \\h<> had 
 moved from Bank's ford as rapidly as possible, to the assistan 
 General Barksdale ; but arrived too late to take part in tho action. 
 
12 
 
 General Wilcox fell back slowly until he reached Salem Church, on 
 the plank road, about five miles from Fredericksburg. 
 
 Information of this state of affairs in our rear having reached 
 Chancellorsville, as already stated, General McLaws, with his three 
 brigades and one of General Anderson's, was ordered to reinforce 
 General Wilcox. He arrived at Salem Church early in the afternoon, 
 where he found General Wilcox in line of battle, with a largo force of 
 the enemy, consisting, as was reported, of one army corps and part 
 of another, under Major General Sedgwick, in his front. The 
 brigades of Kershaw and Wofford were placed on the right of Wilcox, 
 those of Semmes and Mahone on his left. 
 
 The enemy's artillery played vigorously upon our position for some 
 time, when his infantry advanced in three strong lines, the attack 
 being directed mainly against General Wilcox, but partially involving 
 the brigades on his left. The assault was met with the utmost firm- 
 ness, and after a fierce struggle, the first line was repulsed with great 
 slaughter. The second then came forward, but immediately broke 
 under the close and deadly fire which it encountered, and the whole 
 mass fled in confusion to the rear. They were pursued by the 
 brigades of Wilcox and Semmes, which advanced nearly a mile, when 
 they were halted to reform in the presence of the enemy's reserve, 
 which now appeared in large force. It being quite dark, General 
 Wilcox deemed it imprudent to push the attack with his small num- 
 bers, and retired to his orginal position, the enemy making no at- 
 tempt to follow. 
 
 The next morning General Early advanced along the telegraph 
 road, and recaptured Marye's and the adjacent hills, without difficulty, 
 thus gaining the rear of the enemy's left. He then proposed to 
 General McLaws that a simultaneous attack should be made by their 
 respective commands, but the latter officer, not deeming his force ale- 
 quate to assail the enemy in front, the proposition was not carried into 
 effect. In the meantime, the enemy had so strengthened his position 
 near Chancellorsville, that it was deemed inexpedient to assail it 
 with less than our whole force, which could not be concentrated until 
 we were relieved from the danger that menaced our rear. It was ac- 
 cordingly resolved still further to reinforce the troops in front of Gen- 
 eral Sedgwick, in order, if possible, to drive him across the Rappa- 
 hannock. Accordingly, on the 4th, General Anderson was directed 
 to proceed, with his remaining three brigades, to join Gen. McLaws — 
 the three divisions of Jackson's corps holding our position at Chan- 
 cellorsville. Anderson reached Salem Church about noon, and was 
 directed to gain the left flank of the enemy and effect a junction 
 with Early. McLaws' troops were disposed as on the previons day, 
 with orders to hold the enemy in front, and to push forward his right 
 brigales as soon as the advance of Anderson and Early should be 
 perceived, so as to connect with them and complete the continuity of 
 our line. 
 
 Some delay occurred in getting the troops into position, owing to 
 the broken and irregular nature of the ground, and the difficulty of 
 ascertaining the disposition of the enemy's forces. The attack did 
 
13 
 
 mot begin until six, P. M , when Anderson and Early moved forward 
 and drove General Sedgwick's troops rapidly before them, across the 
 plank road in the direction of the Rappahannock. The speedy ap- 
 proach of darkness prevented General YcLaws from perceiving the 
 success of the attack, until the enemy began to recross the river a 
 short distancee below Bank's ford where he had laid one of his pon- 
 toon bridges. His right brigades, under Kershaw and Wofford, ad- 
 vanced through the woods in the direction of the firing, but the re- 
 tieat was so rapid that they could only join in the pursuit. A dense 
 fog settled over the field, increasing the oVscurity, and rend- ring 
 great caution neceesiry to avoid collision between our own troops. 
 Their movements were consequently slow. General Wilcox, with 
 Kershaw's brigade and two regiments of his own, accompanied by a 
 battery, proceeded nearly to the river, capturing a number of prison- 
 ers and 1 inflicting great damage upon the enemy. General McLaws 
 also directed Colonel Alexander's artillery to fire upon the locality of 
 the enemy's bridge, which was done with good effect. The next 
 morning it was found that General Sedwick had made good his escape, 
 and removed his bridges. Fredericksburg was also evacuated, and our 
 rear no longer threatened. But, as General Sedgwick had it in his 
 power to recross, it was deemed best to leave General Early with his 
 division and Barksdale'e brigade to hold our lines as before — McLaws 
 and Anderson being directed to return to Ohancellorsville They 
 reached their destination during the afternoon, in the midst of a vio- 
 lent storm, which continued throughout the night and most of the 
 following day. 
 
 Preparations were made to assail the enemy's works at daylight 
 on the 6th ; but, on advancing our skirmishers, it was found that, 
 under cover of the storm find darkness of the night, he had 
 retreated over the river. A detachment was left to guard the bat- 
 tle-field, while the wounded were being removed, and the captured 
 property collected. The rest of the army returned to its former 
 position. 
 
 The particulars of these operations will be found in the reports of 
 the several commanding officers, which are herewith transmitted. 
 They will show more fully than my limits will suffer me to do, tho 
 dangers and difficulties which, under God's blessing, were surmounted 
 by the fortitude and valor of our army. The conduct of the troops 
 cannot be too highly praised. Attacking largelysuperior numbers, 
 in strongly entrenched positions, their heroic courage overcame every 
 obstacle of nature and art, and achieved a triumph most honorable to 
 our arms. I commend to the particular notice of the department the 
 brave officers and men mentioned by their superiors, for extraordinary 
 daring and merit, whose names I am unable to enumerate here. 
 Among them will be found some who have passed, by a glorious death, 
 beyond the reach of praise, but the memory of whose virtues and devoted 
 patriotism will ever bo cherished by their grateful countrymen. The 
 returns of the medical director will show the extent of our loss, which, 
 from the nature of the circumstances actending the engagement, cocld 
 not be otherwise than severe. Many valuable officers and men were 
 
14 
 
 killed or wounded in the faithful discharge of duty. Among the' 
 former. Brigadier General Paxton fell, while leading his brigade, with 
 conspicuous couiage, in the assault on the enemy's Avorks at Chancel* 
 lorsville. The gallant Brigadier General Nichols lost a leg ; Brigadier 
 General McGowan was severely, and Brigadier Generals Fleth ->nd 
 Pender were slightly wounded in the same engagement. The latter 
 officer led his brigade to the attack under a destructive fire, bearing 
 the colors of a legimefit in his own hands, up to and over the en- 
 trenchments, with the most distinguished gallantry. General Hoke 
 received a painful wound in the action near Fredericksburg. The 
 movement by which the enemy's position was turnel, and the fortune 
 of the day decided, was conducted by the lamented Lieutenant Gen- 
 eral Jackson, who, as has already been stated, was severely wounded 
 near the close of the engagement on Saturday evening. I do not 
 propose here to speak of the character of this illustrious man, since 
 removed from the scene of his eminent usefulness by the hand of an 
 inscrutable but all-wi e Providence. I nevertheless desire to pay the' 
 tribute of my admiration to the matchless energy and skill that marked 
 this last act of his life, forming as it did, a worthy conclusion of that 
 long series of splendid achievements which won for him the lasting 
 love and gratitude of his country. MajVr General A. P. Hill was 
 disabled soon after assuming command, but did not have the field 
 until the arrival of Major General Stuart. The latter officer ably 
 discharged the difficult and responsible duties which he was thus un- 
 expectedly called to perform. Assuming the command late in tho 
 night, at the close of a fierce engagement, and in the immediate pres- 
 ence of the enemy, necessarily ignorant, in a great measure, of the 
 disposition of the troops, and of the plans of those who had preceded 
 him, General Stuart exhibited great energy, promrtoess, and intel- 
 ligence. During the continuance of the engagement the next day, 
 he conducted the operation on the left with distinguished capacity and 
 vigor, stimulating and cheering the troops by the example of his ovvn 
 coolness and daring. While it is impossible to mention all who were 
 conspicuous in the several engagements, it will not be considered an 
 invidious distinction to say that General Jackson, after he wad 
 •wounded, in expressing the satisfaction he derived from the conduct 
 o£ his whole command, commended to my particular attention the 
 services of Brigadier General (now Major General) Rodes and his 
 gallant division. Major General Early performed the important 
 and responsible duty entrusted to him in a manner which reflected 
 credit upon himself and his command. Major General R. II. Ander- 
 son was also distinguished for the promptness, courage, and skill 
 with which he and his division executed every order; and Brigadier 
 Gereral (now Major General) Wilcox is entitled to especial praise for 
 the judgment and bravery displayed in impeding the advance of Gen- 
 eral Sedgwick towards Chancellorsville, and for the gallant and suc- 
 cessful stand at Salem Church. To the skillful and efficient manage- 
 ment of the artillery, the successful issue of the contest is in great 
 measure due. The ground was not favorable for its employment, but 
 every suitable position was taken with alacrity, and the operations of 
 
15 
 
 the infantry supported and assisted with a spirit and courage not 
 second to their own. It bore a prominent part in the final as- 
 sault, which ended in driving the enemy from the field at Chanccl- 
 lorsville, silencing his batteries, and by a destructive enfilade fire 
 upon his works, opened the way for the advance of our troops. Col- 
 onels Crutchfield, .Alexander and Walker, and Lieutenant Colonels 
 Brown, Carter and Andrews, with the officers and men of their com- 
 mands, are mentioned as deserving especial commend ition. The 
 batteries under General %endleton also acted with great gallantry. 
 The cavalry of the army at the time of these operations was much 
 reduced. To its vigilance and energy we were indebted for timely 
 information of the enemy's movements before the battle, and for im- 
 peding his march to Chancellorsville. It guarded both flanks of the 
 army during the battle at that place, and a portion of it, as has been 
 already stated, rendered valuable service in covering the march of 
 Jackson to the enemy's rear. The horse artillery accompanied 
 the infantry, and participated, with credit to itself, in the engige- 
 inent. The nature of the country rendered it impossible for the cav- 
 alry to do more. When the enemy's infantry passed the Rappahan- 
 nock at Kelley's ford, his cavalry, under General Stoneman, also 
 crossed in large force, and proceeded through Culpeper county 
 towards Gordonsville, for the purpose of cutting the railroads to 
 Richmond. General Stuart had nothing to oppose to this movement 
 but two regiments of Brigadier General W. II. F. Lee's brigade — the 
 ninth and thirteenth Virginia cavalry. General Lee fell back before 
 the overwhelming numbers of the enemy; and, after holding the i ail- 
 road bridge over the Rapidan duri"g the 1st of May, burned the 
 bridge and retired to Gordonsville at night. The enemy avoided 
 Gordonsville, and reached Louisa Court-House, on the Central rail- 
 road, which he proceed to break up. Dividing his force, a part of it 
 also cut the Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad, and a part pro- 
 ceeded to Columbia, on the James River and Kanawha canal, with 
 the design of destroying the acqueduct at that plice. The small 
 command of General Lee exerted itself vigorously to defeat this pur- 
 pose. The damage done to the railroads was small, and soon repaired, 
 and the canal was saved from injury. The details of his operations 
 will be found in the accompanying memorandum, and are creditable 
 to officers and men. The loss of the enemy in the battle of Chancel- 
 lorsville and the other engagements was severe. His dead, and a 
 large number of wounded, were left on the field. About five thousand 
 prisoners, exclusive of the wounded, were taken, and thirteen pieces 
 of artillery. Nineteen thousand five hundred stand of arms, seven- 
 teen colors, and a large quantity of ammunition, fell into our hands. 
 To the members of my staff I am greatly indebted for assistance, 
 in observing the movements of the enemy, posting troops, and con- 
 veying orders. On so extended and varied a field, all were ca'led into 
 requisition, and all evinced the greatest energy and zeal. The medi- 
 cal director of the army, Surgeon Guild, with the officers of his De- 
 partment, were untiring in their attention to the wounded. Lieu- 
 tenant Colonel Corley, chief quartermaster, took charge of the 
 
16 
 
 disposition and safety of the trains of the army. Lieutenant Colonel 
 Cole, chief commissary of its subsistence, and Lieutenant Colonel 
 Baldwin, chief of ordnance, was everywhere on the field, attending to 
 the wants of his department. General Chilton, chief of staff, Lieu- 
 tenant Colonel Murray, Major Peyton, and Captain Young, of the 
 adjutant and inspector general's department, were active in seeing to 
 the execution of orders. Lieutenant Colonel Smith and Captain John- 
 ston, of the engineers, in reconnoitering the enemy and constructing 
 batteries ; Colonel Long, in posting troopT and artillery ; Majora 
 Taylor, Talcott, Marshall and Venable, were engaged night and day 
 in watching the operations, carrying orders, &c. 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 R. E. LEE, General. 
 
REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL STUART. 
 
 Headquarters Second Cokps, Army of No. Virginia, ) 
 
 May Gtk, 1863. 5 
 
 Brigadier General R. H. Chilton, 
 
 A. A. and I. G., Headquarters Army of No. Virginia : 
 
 General: 1 have the honor to submit, i'.i advance of a detailed 
 report, the following narrative of events connected with the battle of 
 the Wilderness,. -May 2d, and of Chancellorsville, May 3d, and events 
 following : 
 
 Thin corps, under its immortal leader, Lieutenant General Jackson, 
 attacked the enemy on his right, turning his right flank by the turn- 
 pike road at Melzie Chancellor's, two miles above Chancellorsville, 
 making the attack late in the evening, after an arduous and necessa- 
 rily circuitous march from the plank road, two miles below Ohan.cel- 
 loreviile. The enemy had a fine position, and if time had been given 
 him to recover from his first surpri.se, and mass troops on that front, 
 it would have been a difficult task to dislodge them; but Jackson's 
 entire corps, both when marching and when in position, had been, pur- 
 posely screened from view by the cavalry of Fits. Lee's brigade, on 
 important duty which he performed with great skill and address. 
 The attack was thus, in a measure, a surprise. The enemy's liue of 
 entrenchments was carried, and his legions driven in confusion from 
 the field. It was already dark when 1 sought General Jackson, and 
 proposed, as there appealed nothing else for rac to do, to take some 
 cavalry and infantry over and hold the Ely's ford. He approved the 
 proposition, and 1 had already gained the heights overlooking the. 
 ford, where was a large number of camp-fires, when Captain Adam-. 
 of General A. P. Hill's staff, reached me post haste, and informed me 
 of the sad- calamities which for the time deprived the troops of the 
 leadership of both Jackson and Hill, and the urgent demand for me 
 to come and take cmnmand as quickly as possible. I rode with rap- 
 idity back five miles, determined to press the pursuit already so glo- 
 riously begun. General Jackson had gone to the rear, but (ieneral 
 A. P. Hill was still on the ground, and formally turned over the com- 
 mand to me. 1 sent also a staff officer to General Jackson, to inform 
 him that I would cheerfully carry out any instructions he would give, 
 and proceeded immediately to the front, which I reached at ten, P. M 
 I found, upon reaching it, A. P Hill's divsion in front, under lleth, 
 with Lane's, McGowan's, Archer's, and Heth's brigades on the right 
 of the road within half a mile of Chancellorsville, near the apex of 
 the ridge, and Pender's and Thomas' on the left. I found that the 
 enemy had made an attack on our right flank, but were repulsed. The 
 fact, however, that the attack was made, and ataiight, made me appre- 
 hensive of a repetition of it, and necessitated throwing back the right 
 ■wing so as to meet it. I was also informed that there was much con- 
 fusion on the right, owing to the fact that some troops mistook frien la 
 1 
 
18 
 
 fir the enemy and fired upon them. ' Knowing that an advance under 
 mch circumstances would be extremely hazardous, much against my 
 inclination, I felt bound to wait for daylight. Gen. Jackson had also 
 Bent me word to use my own discretion. The commanding General 
 was with the right wing of the army, with which I had no communi- 
 cation, except by a very circuitous and uncertain route. I neverthe- 
 less sent a dispatch to inform him of the state of affairs, and rode 
 around the lines restoring order, imposing silence, and making 
 arrangements for the attack early next day. I sent Colonel E. P. 
 Alexander, senior officer of artillery, to select and occupy with artil- 
 lery, positions along the line bearing upon the enemy's position, with 
 which duty he was engaged all night. At early dawn, Trimble's 
 division composed the second line, and Rodes' division the third. The 
 latter had his rations on the spot, and as his men were entirely with- 
 out food, was extremely anxious to issue. I was disposed to wait a 
 short time for this purpose ; but when, as preliminary to an attack, I 
 ordered the right of the first line to swing around, and come perpen- 
 dicular to the road, the order was misunderstood for an order to 
 attack, and that part of the line became engaged. I ordered the 
 whole line to advance, and the second and third lines to follow. As 
 the sun lifted the mist that shrouded the field, it was discovered that 
 the ridge on the extreme right was a fine position for concentrating 
 artillery. I immediately ordered thirty pieces to that point, and 
 under the happy effects of the battalion system, it was done quickly. 
 The effect of this fire upon the enemy's batteries was superb. In the 
 nieantime the enemy was pressing our left with infantry, and all the 
 reinforcements I could obtain were sent there. Colquitt's brigade, of 
 Trimble's division, ordered first to the right, was directed to the left 
 to support Pender. Iverson's brigade, of the second line, was also 
 engaged there, and the three lines were more or less merged into one 
 line of battle, and reported hard pressed. Urgent requests were sent 
 for reinforcements, and notices that the troops were out of ammuni- 
 tion, &c. I ordered that the ground must be held at all hazards ; if 
 necessary, with the bayonet. About this time, a^o, our right con- 
 nected with Anderson's left, relieving all anxiet^on that subject. I 
 was now anxious to mass infantry on the left, to push the enemy 
 there, and sent every available regiment to that point. About eight 
 o'clock, A. M., the works of the enemy directly in front of our right 
 ■were stormed, but the enemy's forces retiring from the line facing 
 Anderson, which our batteries enfiladed, caused our troops to abandon 
 these works, the enemy coming in their rear. It was stormed a second 
 time, when I discovered the enemy making a flank movement to the 
 leffrof the road for the purpose of dislodging our forces, and hastened 
 to change the front of a portion of our line to meet this attack ; but the 
 shortness of the time and the deafening roar of artillery prevented 
 the execution oi this movement, and our line again retired. The 
 t':ird time it was takei^I made disposition of a portion of Ramseurs 
 brigade to' protect the left flank. Artillery was pushed forward to the 
 crest, sharpshooters were posted in a house in advance, and in a few 
 ticments Chancellorsville was our's, (ten o'clock, A. M.) The enemy 
 
19 
 
 retired towards Ely'y ford, the road to United States ford branching 
 one-half mile west of Chanccllorsville. In this hotly contested battle, 
 the enemy had strong works on each side of the road, those on the 
 commanding ridge being heavily defended by artillery. The night, 
 ako, had given him time to mass his troops to meet this attack ; but 
 the desperate valor of Jackson's corps overcame every obstacle, and 
 drove the enemy to his new line of defence, which his engineers had 
 constructed in his rear, ready for occupation, at the intersection of the 
 Ely's ford and United States ford roads. General Anderson's division 
 of the right wing, arrived upon the field, comparatively fresh. I -set 
 about reforming my command, with a view to a renewal of the attack, 
 when the commanding General received intelligence that the enemy 
 had crossed at Fredericksburg and taken Marye's hill. An aid-de- 
 camp of General Sedgwick, captured by Colonel "Wickham's regiment 
 on the right, near Banks' ford, reported two corps, under command of 
 Sedgwick. The commanding General decided to hold Hooker, beaten, 
 as he was, in his works, with Jackson's corps, and detach enough of 
 other forces to turn on Sedgwick. The success of this strategy 
 (nabled him again to concentrate, to force Hooker's position, and 
 arrangements were made for attack with this corps on the morning of 
 the 6th, (Wednesday,) but before it was begun our skirmishers found 
 the enemy's works abandoned, and pressing forward to the river, cap- 
 tured many prisoners. The enemy had another work two miles in. 
 rear of the other, which was also abandoned. This region of country 
 is known as "The Wilderress." Rapid pursuit in such a country is 
 an impossibility, where the enemy takes care to leave his trains beyond 
 the Rappahannock, and avails himself, as he does, of the appliances 
 of art, labor, and natural obstacles to delay his pursuers. In this 
 .battle, in which the enemy's main force was attacked in chosen posi- 
 tions, he was driven entirely from the field, and finally fled across the 
 river. Our troops behaved with the greatest heroism. 
 
 I desire to call the attention of the commanding General to the fact 
 that I was called to the command, at ten o'clock at night, on the battle 
 field, of the corps (fapytee, led so long by the immortal Jackson, in the 
 midst of a night attack made by the enemy, without any knowledge of 
 the ground, the position of our forces, or the plans thus far pursued,, 
 and without an officer lefc in the corps above the rank of brigadier 
 general. Under these disadvantages, the attack was renewed the next 
 morning, and prosecuted to a successful issue. Msjor General A. P. 
 Hill, who had the misfortune to be wounded soon after the command 
 devolved upon him, remained near the field next day, notwithstanding 
 his wound, for which I was very grateful, for circumstances might 
 have arisen making his presence necessary. 
 
 To the generals of divisions and brigades, I feel greatly indebted 
 for the hearty co-operation, zeal, r.nd support accorded to me by all. 
 to the fullest extent of their ability. The field officers and others, I 
 hope to particularize hereafter in a detail! report, when the data is 
 collected, as well as mention rpecially the various officers serving on 
 my staff with marked distinction during the day. 
 
 1 labored under great disadvantages in having none of General 
 
 
20 ■ 
 
 Jackson's staff with me until after the action began, and then only 
 Major A. S. Pendleton, who, however, behaved with great heroism 
 and efficiency when he did join me. 
 
 Our losses were heavy ; the enemy's heavier. In Sunday's bat- 
 tle, Brigadier Generals Ramseur, Heth, and McGowan, were 
 wounded, and Paxton killed. Heth and Ramseur, though painfully 
 wounded, persisted in retaining command to the close of the fight. 
 Their heroic conduct will be specially mentioned in the report 
 proper. The casualties of the corps I have not the means of know- 
 ing, a3 before the, returns were completed, I relinquished the com- 
 mand to Major General A. P. Hill, in pursuance to the orders of the 
 commanding General, but the division and brigade commmanders 
 were ordered to submit, through me, their reports of the battle of 
 Ohancellorsville. 
 
 The cavalry was well managed by Brigadier General Fitz. Lee, who 
 siezed Ely's fold, and held the road to within two miles of Ohancel- 
 lorsville, driving the. enemy's cavalry from the former place. His 
 men, without rations or forage, displayed a heroism rarely met with 
 under any circumstances, and guarding the two flanks, accomplished 
 an indispensable part of the great success, which God vouchsafed 
 t,o us. 
 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 J. E. B. STUART, 
 Major General commanding. 
 
REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL A. P. HILL. 
 
 Headquarters Second Army Corps, ) 
 May 8, 1863. \ 
 
 Major W. H. Taylor, A. A. G.: 
 
 Major : I have the honor to submit the following very imperfect 
 sketch of our operations from the time we left Fredericksburg to the 
 recrossing of the Rappahannock by the enemy. The corps of General 
 Jackson, save Early's division, left our lines at Hamilton's Crossing 
 at dawn on the morning of Friday, the 1st of May. Rodes' division, 
 A. P. Hill's division, and Trimble's division, under Colston, arriving 
 within four miles of Chancellorsville, line of battle was formed — Rodes 
 in advance, Hill supporting, and Colston in reserve. The enemy 
 were then rapidly pushed back into Chancellorsville. Saturday 
 morning Rodes', Colston's, and Hill's divisions were led by General 
 Jackson on the enemy's flank and rear, crossing the two plank 
 roads and coining into the turnpike ; the artillery of the corps, 
 under Colonel Crutchfield, accompanying. The attack was made 
 about six, P. M. — Rodes' division and some artillery in advance; Col- 
 ston and Hill supporting. The attack of Rodes was made with great 
 energy. The enemy were driven for three miles, and into his works 
 at Chancellorsville, with the loss of ten pieces of artillery and many 
 prisoners. This was about nine, P. ML, and General Jackson directed 
 General Hill to take charge of the pursuit. "Whilst Lane's brigade 
 was forming its lines for advancing and throwing out hi3 skirmishers, 
 General Jackson was wounded. The enemy then made an attempt to 
 retake their rifle-pits immediately fronting Chancellorsville, but were 
 handsomely driven back by Colonel Mallory, fifty-fifth Virginia, 
 Heth's brigade. The enemy, during this time, had concentrated a 
 most terrible fire of artillery on the head of Hill's division .from 
 thirty-two pieces of artillery. General Hill was disabled during this 
 fire. General Stuart was sent for, and the command of the corps 
 turned over to him. 
 
 It was thought best, under all the circumstances not to push the 
 pursuit any further that night. Next morning all the artillery which 
 could be put in position having been brought up, the infantry in three 
 lines — Colston, Hill, (now Heth's,) and Rodes — General Stuart re- 
 newed the attack about dawn. The enemy were gallantly charged. 
 The combat was furious. Colston's division having become some- 
 what broken and disordered, Heth took the advance, Archer on the 
 extreme right, endeavoring to connect with Anderson, and Pender, 
 with two brigades, of this division, on the left of the road. The enemy 
 were again charged, and twice were his works taken, and twice re- 
 linquished. Rodes'- division came up to the support ; and after some 
 tremendons fighting — all three divisions being engaged — the enemy 
 were driven out, and his works occupied about ten o'clock. Archer's 
 brigade captured four guns; and Brigadier General "William Hays 
 
22 
 
 was captured by Pender's brigade. Ramseur's brigade, under bis gal- 
 lant leadership, was conspicuous throughout the three days' fighting. 
 
 Our lines were again formed, covering the roads leading to the 
 United States ford. Pender, with four brigades on the left, Rodes in 
 the centre, and Colston, with three brigades, on the right; Heth, with 
 three brigades, was sent to relieve Anderson. We held this position 
 during Sunday and Monday, whilst Anderson and McLaws were de- 
 tached to drive back General Sedgwick. Several advances of the 
 enemy's skirmishers were repulsed ; and he occasionally opened a 
 heavy fire of artillery. Sedgwick having been demolished, the enemy 
 recrossed on Tuesday night. 
 
 Major General Stuart is deserving of great commendation for his 
 admirable management of the troops. Called suddenly, late at night, 
 to a new sphere of action, and eutirely ignorant of the positions of the 
 brigades, with indomitable energy he surmounted all difficulties, and 
 achieved a glorious result. Brigadier General Rode3 distinguished 
 himself much, and won a proud name for himself and his division. 
 Generals Heth, Pender and Ramseur, contributed greatly to the suc- 
 cess of our arms. Much is due the artillery. Colonels Crutchfield, 
 Brown, Walker and Alexander, deserve special mention. 
 . Respectfully, 
 
 A. P. HILL, Major General. 
 
REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL ANDERSON. 
 
 Headquarters Anderson's Division, ) 
 
 Near Fredericksburg, Va . , \ 
 
 June 6th, 1863. ) 
 
 Brigadier General R. II. Chilton^ 
 
 Assistant Adjutant and Inspector General and 
 
 Chief of Staff, A. N. V. : 
 
 General: I have the honor to submit the following report of tl 9 
 operations of the division under my command, during the late en- 
 gagements .along the Rappahannock : 
 
 Before the 29th of April, the brigades were posted as follows : Ma- 
 hone's and Posey's at United States Ford, Wilcox's at Banks' Ford, 
 Perry's near the old mine road, about three miles west of Fredericks- 
 burg, and Wright's at Massaponax church. 
 
 On the morning of the 2Gth of April, when the enemy crossed tl ft 
 river at the mouth of Deep run, Wright's brigade was brought up 
 from Massaponax church, and placed to the left and rear of M;>j' r 
 General Early's position. Later in the day. it was ordered to tako 
 post near Perry's brigade, and at dark the latter was moved to the river 
 to relieve such of the troops of Mc Laws' division ;;s were on duty 
 above Fredericksburg, and opposite Falmouth. About nine o'clock, 
 P. M., the same day, I received orders from the commanding General 
 to repair to Chancellorsville, and to make such a disposition of tht) 
 two brigades (Mahone's and Posey's) which had been posted at Unite 1 
 States ford, as to check the advance of the enemy, who had crossed 
 the Rappahannock at the fordsabove the Rapidan, and were approach- 
 ing Ely's and Germana fords, on the latter river. I proceeded to obey 
 these directions, and ordered Brigadier General Wright to move hi* 
 brigade to Chancellorsville. Upon arriving at Chancellorsville, at 
 midnight, I found that Brigadier General Mahone had already occu- 
 pied that place, with the troops from United States ford ; having left 
 a regiment from his own, and five companies of the ninth Mississippi 
 regiment, from Posey's brigade, to hold the ford as long as possible. .1 
 learned also that the enemy hadcrossod the Rapidan at Ely's and Ger- 
 mana fords, capturing, after a very obstinate resistance, the greater 
 part of a working party and picket, which had been stationed at the latter 
 place. After consultation with Brigadier Generals Mahone and Po- 
 ecy, and an examination of the position at Chancellorsville, I decided 
 upon falling back from that phsce to the point on the plank road, at 
 which the old mine road crosses it ; and this was dune early on the 
 morning of the 3 Ith of April — Wright's brig ide, which had arrived 
 at daylight, and the force which had been left at United States Ford, 
 being withdrawn at the same time. Wright's and Posey's brigades 
 retired from Chancellorsville by the plank road, and Mahone's by the 
 old turnpike. Whilst they were moving off, and before the pickets 
 had been called in, the cavalry of the enemy, under cover of fog and 
 rain, dashed upon the picket on the Ely's ford road, and captured a 
 
24 
 
 part cf one company. They subsequently attacked the rear guard of 
 Mahone's brigade, but were so effectually repulsed, that we were no 
 further annoyed by thein during the movement. Upon arriving at 
 the intersection of the old mine and plank roads, I met .Colonel W, 
 P. Smith, chief engineer, army Northern Virginia, and Captain 
 Johnston, of the engineer corps, who had been sent by the command- 
 ing General to examine the position, and establish the line of en- 
 trenchment?. The wo r k of entrenching was commenced immediately 
 after the line had been selected, and was continued with great dili- 
 gence and activity throughout that day, the night following, and the 
 earh pait of the next morning. During the day, there were occa- 
 sional skirmishes with the enemy's cavalry, who had followed from 
 Chancellorsville. In the afternoon, Colonel Owens, commanding the 
 third regiment Virginia cavalry, joined me with his regiment, and 
 threw out pickets to the front, and upon each flank. 
 
 A little before sunrise on the 1st of May, Major General McLaws, 
 having come up with bis division, strengthened the force immediately 
 in front, and secured our right flank by occupying the trenches along 
 Motte run. At 8 o'clock, A. M., Lie ten ant General Jackson arrived. 
 By Lis orders, the work on the trenches was discontinued, and the 
 troops were put in readiness for an advance. Wilcox's and Terry's 
 brigades which had been left above Fredericksburg, being at the same 
 time ordered to join their division. The advance commenced at 
 C'6'/en o'clock. A. M. Mahone's brigade, with Jordan's battery of 
 Alexander's battalion, leading the movement, on the old turnpike, 
 and Wright's and Posey's brigades, with the other batteries of Alex- 
 ander's battalion leading on the plank road. Colonel Owens' regi- 
 ment of cavalry was employed in roconnoiteiing these roads, and 
 others diverging from them. When the troops on the plank road had 
 advanced abeut two miles, the enemy was discovered in considerable 
 force. They op-ned on us with artillery, and seemed determined to 
 resist our further progress. Brigadier General Wright was directed 
 to follow, with his brigade, the line of the unfinished Fredericksburg 
 and Gordonsville railroad, to threaten their right, and to compel them 
 to fall back. This was executed with spirit and rapidity, and the 
 enemy fell back with precipitation before our advance, which was re- 
 sumed soon afterwards. General Wright continued to follow the line 
 of the railroad without opposition until he arrived at the Catharine or 
 Wellford's furnace, where he had a sharp encounter with a superior 
 force of the enemy. Darkness put a stop to this conflict without any 
 decided results having been attained, and at ten o'clock, at night, in 
 obedience to orders from Lieutenant General Jackson, he returned to 
 the plank road, along which Posey's brigade had, in the meantime, ad- 
 vanced to within a short distance of the enemy's entrenchments around 
 Chancellorsviiie. Mahone's brigade, in like manner, fought its way 
 along the old turnpike to a point about one mile from Chancellors- 
 ville. Wilcox's and Berry's brigades, in comming up from Freder- 
 icksburg, had been directed to follow tho old turnpike, and during 
 the afternoon had co-operated with McLaws' division. 
 
 A little before daylight, on the 2d of May, Wilcox's brigade was 
 
25 
 
 ordered to resume the position at Banks' ford, from ■which it had 
 been withdrawn. 
 
 The night of the 1st and morning of the 2d of Mr.y passed quickly. 
 At seven o'clock, A. M., Posey's brigade moved a little to the rear of 
 the line of battle, having been relieved by that of Brigadier General 
 Thomas. 
 
 When Lieutenant General Jackson's command moved against the 
 enemy's right, tho position immediately on the left of the plank road, 
 which had been hold by a part of his troops, was taken by Wright's 
 brigade. At mid-day. the enemy appeared in some force at ihc fur- 
 nace Posey's brigade was sent to dislodge him, and was soon en- 
 gaged in a warm skirmish with him. The increasing numbers of the 
 enemy made it necessary to Aove Wright's brigade to the support of 
 Posey's, and Mahone's was at the same time moved over from the old, 
 turnpike to the position just left by Wright's. Posey's brigade gal- 
 lantly maintained its position against great odds, and checked the 
 further advance of the enemy. Perry's brigade joined me at dark. 
 Daring the night. Posey's brigade constructed a line of breastwotks. 
 
 At daylight, on the 3d, Perry's brigade was directed to gain the 
 Gatharpin road, and move toward* the furnace. At sunrise, v. hen it 
 was supposed that General Perry had time to roach the vicinity of 
 the furnace. General Posey's skirmishers were pushed forward to- 
 wards it, and it was discovered that the enemy had retired. 
 
 Soon afterwards, in obedience t'> the direciions of the commanding 
 general, my whole force was advanced tawards Chacellorsville, Ma- 
 bone's brigade having its right on the plank road, and Wright's. Po- 
 se v' 3 and Perry's, successfully forming a line-of-battlc on the left of, 
 and nearly perpendicular to. that portion of the plank road, between 
 us and ( . hancellorsville. The troops pressed forward with spirited 
 impetuosity, and with as much rapidity as was permitted by the dense 
 thickets and tangled abattis through which they were obliged to force 
 their way. After a short and sharp encounter, they drove the enemy 
 from his entrenchments. Wright's brigade was the first to reach 
 Chancellorsville, at which place it capture:! a large number of pris- 
 oner The other brigades coming up immediately afterwards, the 
 division was placed in line along the old turnpike to the east of Chan- 
 oeilorsville. A little after mid-day. Mahone's brigade was detached, 
 by order of the commanding General, to operate with McLaws' division 
 against the enemy, who were then reported to be moving from Freder- 
 icksburg up the plank road. At four o'clock in the afternoon, I 
 proceeded, in obedience to instructions, with Wright's, Perry's and 
 Posey's brigades, to the river road, below United States ford, to 
 watch that road and to threaten the enemy's communications and his 
 line of retreat from Chancellorsville. Major Hardaway, with four- 
 teen pieces of riile artillery, was attached to my command. Upon 
 arriving at the river road, I found the enemy strongly posted on Mine 
 run, and when I had completed a rcconnoissancc of his position it 
 was too late to effect anything that evening. Captain Johnston of 
 the engineer crops, who accompanied me, having discovered large 
 parks of the enemy's wagons and the camps of some of his troops on 
 
26 
 
 the opposite side of the river, Major Hardaway was directed to post 
 his cuns at daybreak, on the 4th, at a point indicated by Captain 
 Johnston, and to open a hot fire upon the parks and camps. This was 
 executed as directed, and, I believe, with good effect. Soon afterwards 
 our skirmishers were pushed forward, with orders to drive back those 
 of the enemy and to discover his position and strength. This was 
 accomplished without delay, the enemy being found in force, fortify- 
 ing a high ridge between Mine run and the road connecting United 
 States ford and Chancellorsville. Just at this time, I received orders 
 to march with my division towards Fredericksburg, and report to 
 Major General McLaws, at Salem church, on the plank road,, being 
 relieved from duty at this point by General Heth's command. I 
 arrived at Salem church with my commftnd at eleven o'clock, A. M., 
 and reported, as directed, to Major General McLaws. At twelve 
 o'clock, M., in obedience to the directions of the commanding General, 
 my division was placed in line-of-battle on the left of Major General 
 Early's, which was occupying Marye's Hill and the heights extending 
 west from Fredericksburg. The general direction of the enemy's lino 
 was parellel with the plank road. At six o'clock, P. M., the signal 
 to advance being given, Early's division and my own marched rapidly 
 upon the enemy's position and drove him from it without much 
 trouble, meeting with bat slight resistance. Wright's brigade ad- 
 vanced with great intrepidity across a wheat field, under a hot fire 
 of grape, and drove one of the enemy's batteries from its position. 
 The enemy retreated towards E;ijik*s ford, and was followed closely 
 a3 long as there was light enough to continue the pursuit. At day- 
 light, on the 5th, reconnoitering parties discovered that he had dis- 
 appeared from our side of the river. At four o'clock, P. M., I received 
 orders to return with my command to the vicinity of Chancellorsville, 
 and at dark I halted the head of the column one mile from that place ; 
 Wilcox's and Wright's brigades lying in bivouac on the Catharine 
 road, Mahone's, Perry's and Posey's on the plank road. At eight 
 o'clock, A. M., on the 6th, the division was moved forward to a posi- 
 tion at the junction of the Ely's Ford and United States Ford roads. 
 At eleven o'clock, A. M., in obedience to the orders of the command- 
 ing general, I marched towards Fredericksburg, and in the afternoon 
 returned to the position which had been occupied by the division, 
 previous to these operations. Wilcox's and Mahone's brigades, after 
 being detached from my command, participated in the fight at Salem 
 Church. I cannot too highly commend the gallant conduct of the 
 division which I had the honor and good fortune to command. Where 
 all performed their duty with so much zeal and courage, it is almost 
 impossible to make a distinction, but P>rigadier General Posey and his 
 brave, untiring, persevering Mississippians, seem to me to deserve 
 especial notice. Their steadiness at the furnace, on Saturday evening, 
 when pressed by greatly superior numbers, saved our army from great 
 peril, whilst their chivalrous charge upon the trenches on Sunday, 
 contributed largely to the successes of that day. After three days 
 and nights of incessant occupation, Saturday night was again passed 
 by them, in hard work upon entrenchments in front of the furnace 
 
27 
 
 whilst the others had an opportunity to take some rest. But it would 
 be doing injustice to Brigadier General Wilcox, to pass unnoticed, 
 his own gallant conduct, and that of his troops, at Salem church, 
 where they bore almost the whole brunt of the enemy's onset, and 
 successfully repelled it. To Brigadier General Mahone, to omit to 
 mention his bold, skilled and successful management, so well seconded 
 by his brave Virginians; to Brigadier General Wright and his high- 
 spirited, fearless Georgians, whose attack at the furnace, on the 
 evening of the 1st, and whose unflinching advance against the enemy's 
 guns, under a heavy fire of grape, on the evening of the -1th, excited 
 the admiration of all who saw them ; and to Brigadier General Perry 
 and his heroic little band of Floridians, who showed a courage as in- 
 trepid as that of any others, in their assault upon the enemy, in his 
 entrenchments, on the 3rd, and in their subsequent advance upon 
 Chancellorsville. Lieutenant Colonel Garnett and Major Ilardaway 
 and Richardson, commanders of artillery, distinguished themselves 
 by their activity, skill and courage. I beg leave, also, to mention 
 the meritorious services and general- good conduct of the members of 
 my staff, Majors T. S. Mills and R. P. Duncan, Assistant Adjutant 
 and Inspector Generals, Lieutenants Wm. McWillie and S. D. Shan- 
 non, aids-de-camp, and Messrs. R. D. Spaun, James G. Spaun «nd 
 E. J. Means, volunteer aids-de-camp. Captain E. N. Thurston, ord- 
 nance officer, Surgeons G. McF. Gaston and II. D Feasee, Major J. 
 A. Johnston, Chief Quartermaster, and Major Wm. C. Wingtield, 
 Chief Commissary of the division,-rendered valuable services by their 
 careful and unremitting attention to their duties. The reports of the 
 brigade and artillery battalion commanders, are herewith respectfully 
 submitted. The loss of the division in these operations was, killed 
 186, wounded 1,049, missing 210, total 1,445. 
 I am, very respectfully, 
 
 Your most obedient servant. 
 
 R. H. ANDERSON, 
 Major General, commanding Division. 
 
REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL McLA-Wri. 
 
 Headquarters Division, May 10, 1863. 
 
 Major Taylor, A. A. G. : 
 
 Major : On the 1st of May, instant, at twelve and a half o'clock at 
 night, the brigades of Generals Kershaw, Semmes and Wofford were 
 put in march up the plank road by order from your headquarters — 
 the brigade of General Barksdale remaining in Fredericksburg and 
 vicinity — and by six o'clock in the morning were in position behind 
 the rifle pits about Smith's hill and extending to the right and left, 
 joining General Anderson's command on the left, to defend the 
 approaches from the United States ford and from the direction of 
 Chancellorsville. About eleven, A. M., General Jackson, who had 
 arrived with his forces and assumed command, directed me to advance 
 along the turnpike road, having Mahone's brigade, of Anderson's 
 division, in advance. I collected my own division as rapidly as pos- 
 sible from the rifle pits, each brigade, as it was relieved, falling in rear 
 of *he others as they advanced in the march. After proceeding but a 
 short distance, the skirmishers became engaged. The main column ad- 
 vancing slowly, until the enemy appearing in force, it was deployed, 
 the line of battle formed across the turnpike road — Semmes' brigade on 
 the left, and those of Mahone, Wofford and Perry, of Anderson's divis- 
 ion, in the order here named, to the right, extending so as to cover the 
 mine road ; Jordon's battery on the mine turnpike. Our skirmishers 
 were driven in. Fire was opened on our lines from a battery four or 
 five hundred yards in front and, after skirmishing to the right and left, 
 the main assiult was made on the left against Semmes by Sykes' 
 regulars, but they were repulsed at every attempt. Before the first 
 assault, I sent to General Jackson, by my aid-de-camp, that the 
 enemy were in force in my immediate front and were advancing, and 
 that a larger force could be seen along the heights about one mile or 
 more to the rear, and that the country was favorable for a flank attack 
 from his side. After the first assault, 1 received answer from General 
 Jackson to hold my position and that he would advance or was advanc- 
 ing his artillery, and if that did not answer he would endeavor to 
 gain the rear of the enemy. General Kershaw coming up, his brig- 
 ade was placed in support of General Semmes, extending beyond his 
 left. The cavalry reporting that the enemy were advancing along the 
 Mine road, General Wilcox's brigade was ordered and took position — 
 guided by Captain Johnson, of General Lee's staff — to protect my 
 right, taking artillery with him. General Jackson's artillery and his 
 advance, in conjunction with the failure of the attack on my front, 
 forced the enemy to retire, when, by General Jackson's order, my 
 whole line advanced in the same order as they had been displayed, as 
 above stated. The order to advance was received at four, P. M. 
 My line halted at dark and bivouacked along the heights just beyond 
 the point where Mine run crosses the turnpike. The next morning, 
 
29 
 
 the 2nd, my line of battle was reformed along the heights, in the 
 same order as before, excepting that General Wilcox had- been 
 ordered, during the night previous, to return to Banks' ford and hold 
 that position, it having been reported that the enemy were moving 
 down the river road and, besides, were making demonstrations to 
 cross the river at that ford. "Two batteries W ore placed on the heights 
 between General Semmes and Wofford. A strong line of skirmishers 
 was advanced and wei*e constantly engaged with those of the enemy. 
 General Kershaw's brigade was held in reserve. I received orders 
 from General Lee to hold my position, as General Jackson would ope- 
 rate to the It ft and rear. Not long after, I was directed to replace 
 General Posey's brigade on my left by one from my command, and 
 General Kershaw moved to that position, on the left of General 
 Semmes. Following this order, I was directed to send the brigades 
 of Generals Mahcne and Perry to the left and close in my command 
 60 as to connecc with General Anderson's right — holding my right at 
 the turnpike, but constantly pressing to the left, so as to be in com- 
 munication with General Anderson — to do which, as the country was 
 broken and densely wooded, and the directions constantly changing, I 
 ordered the two brigades on the left, Kershaw and Semmes', to ad- 
 vance by battalion from the left, so as to form a broken line, but still 
 covering the front and forming the connection. The batteries openel 
 whenever the masses of the enemy on the hills in my front offered an 
 opportunity, and with marked results. My orders were to hold my 
 position, not to engage seriously, but to press strongly so soon as it 
 was discovered that General Jackson had attacked. It was not until 
 late in the evening that it was known General Jackson had com- 
 mence! his assault, when I ordered an advance along the whole line 
 to engage with the skirmishers, which were largely reinforced, and 
 to threaten but not attack seriously, in doing which General Woflord 
 became so seriously engaged that I directed him to withdraw, which 
 was done in good order, his men in good spirits, after driving the 
 enemy to their entrenchments. 
 
 As General Jackson advanced, the enemy moved in front of 
 two batteries on my line, which opened on them with excellent ef- 
 fect. This continued until darkness prevented any further efforts in 
 my front. 
 
 Generals Kershaw and Semmes had been pressing to the left and 
 front, and engaging t!he enemy with their skirmishers, which had left 
 an open space, so far as the main body was .concerned, between my 
 right and centre, of considerable distance, but the skirmishers of 
 General Semmes, composed of the entire tenth Georgia regiment, 
 were perfectly reliable, and kept the enemy to thou* entrenchments, 
 so there was nothing to be apprehended from an advance in this di- 
 rection. 
 
 May 3d — Nothing occurred during the night sivc the magnificent 
 display caused by the night attack of General Jackson. My skir- 
 mishers, w T ell to the front, and strong in number, engaged the enemy 
 as day advanced. The batteries were run forward, and played upon the. 
 masses of the enemy, in good range, producing much confusion ; 
 finally, the repeated attacks of the forces on my left forced the enemy 
 
30 
 
 to give way from Chancellorsville, and our troops could be seen ad- 
 vancing across the plain. General Wofford threw a portion of his 
 command across the valley between him and the Chancellorsville 
 heights, and thus prevented the escape of a considerable body of the 
 enemy which had been opposed to this brigade, and to his left and 
 front during the morning. I directed a flag of truce to be sent them, 
 and they surrendered. I think General Wofford entitled to the most 
 credit for their capture, although the tenth Georgia, General Semrnes 
 and General Wright of Anderson's division, claimed their share 
 equally. Kershaw and Semmes bearing to the left to co-operate with 
 General Anderson, to unite with the two wings of the army, had 
 now swept around to the plains of Chancellorsville, and directed them 
 to march down the plank road and unite with General Wofford's left. 
 As this was in the act of accomplishment, information was received 
 that the enemy had carried the heights about Fredericksburg, and 
 were advancing up the plank road. General Lee here rode up and 
 ordered that the brigades of Generals Mahone and Kershaw should 
 march at once towards Fredericksburg, with Moody's battery, to meet 
 the enemy; and after these brigades were on the march, and had ad- 
 vanced some distance, he directed me to proceed in the same direc- 
 tion with the remainder of my division, which was done so soon as 
 the brigades could be formed. On reaching the rifle-pits, just be- 
 vond the junction of the turnpike and mine roads, I found General 
 Mahone's brigade along the rifle-pits, General Kershaw halted along 
 the road, General Wilcox's brigade was marching to the front. I or- 
 dered them all forward, but as I was here informed that the enemy 
 were in considerable force going down the telegraph road, and as I 
 thought that it was perhaps their intention to march forward by the 
 plank and mine roads, which came together just beyond the junction 
 of the plank and turnpike roads, now in my rear, I halted General 
 Wofford with directions to watch the mine road on his right. I then 
 rode on, and found General Wilcox with his brigade in line across the 
 plank road at Salem church, General Kershaw forming on his right > 
 and General Mahone on the left. I directed General Mahone still 
 more to his left, as he was acquainted with the country, and placed 
 General Semmes to the immediate left of General Wilcox. General 
 Wofford was ordered forward and placed on the right of General Ker- 
 shaw. The batteries which I had brought with me had been engaged 
 all the morning, and had but little ammunition lefcT They had been or- 
 dered back in such haste that there was no time for them to replenish 
 their chests, but they engaged the enemy until their supplies were nearly 
 exhausted, and then withdrew, and were posted in the rear to com- 
 mand the ground on the flanks and front. The batteries of the enemy 
 were admirably served, and played over the whole ground. Before 
 my command was well in position, the enemy advanced, driving in 
 our skirmishers, and coming forward with loud shouts, endeavored to 
 force the centre, (Wilcox's) and the lefc centre, (General Semmes',) 
 extending the attack somewhat to Mahone's brigade. One of Wil- 
 cox's regiment's gave way, and, with the skirmishers running, had 
 created a little confusion ; but General Wilcox himself soon corrected 
 
31 
 
 this, and reforming his men, charged the enemy, in conjunction with two 
 regiments of Semmes' brigade, led by General Semmes, and drove them 
 back for a considerable distance. I now strengthened the left of Ma- 
 hone's, which was strongly threatened, with two regiments from Wof- 
 ford's brigade, (on the right) and closed General Kershaw to the left, 
 strengthening the centre, supposing that the attack would be renewed, 
 but no other assault was attempted, and, as night drew on, the firing 
 ceased on both sides, and my command bivouacked in line of battle. 
 In this engagement, three or four hundred -were taken and about 
 the same number of the enemy were killed and buried. Just previous 
 to the assault, I sent my inspecting officer, M;ijor Costin, to try and 
 communicate with General Early, and to bring back information as to 
 his position and designs, and the whereabouts of the enemy in that 
 direction. A courier late in the night brought me a note from Gen. 
 Early, informing me that he would concentrate his forces in tho 
 morning and drive the enemy from the heights, Marye's hill included. 
 I sent his note to General Lee, who, approving it, I forwarded it to 
 General Early, who, on the next morning carried the heights- with but 
 little opposition. After this, General Early sent me word by his staff 
 again, that if I would attack in front, he would advance two brigades 
 and strike at the flank and rear of the enemy. I agreed to advance, 
 provided he would first attack, and did advance my right — Kershaw 
 and Wofford — t^pperate with him — but finding my force was insuffi- 
 cient for a frcnt attack, I withdrew to my line of the evening pre-" 
 vious, General Early not attacking as I could hear. In the mean- 
 while I had informed General Lee of the plan proposed and asking for 
 an additional force. I was informed, in reply, that the remainder of 
 General Anderson's division had been ordered forward. I then directed 
 that no attack should be made until General Anderson arrived. 
 General Lee came in person to superintend the movement, arriving 
 about the tame time with General Anderson's head of column. 
 General Anderson was ordered to the right with his three brigades. 
 My understanding was that the troops of ray own division and tho 
 brigades of Wilcox and Mahone were to continue in line, facing tho 
 enemy, and those of General Early and three brigades of General 
 Anderson were to attack their right and rear. Orders were given 
 that my troops on the right — Kershaw and Wofford — should advance 
 after it was known that the attack on the right had commenced, which 
 would be indicated by the firing in that direction. I was on the right 
 of ray line, straightening it and extending to the right when notice 
 was given that the attack would shortly be made by Generals Early 
 and Anderson, and that Colonel Alexander, who had established a 
 strong battery, on a prominent hill, which commanded one of nearly 
 equal force on the other side, which would take my line in reverse, 
 and, in a measure, enfilade it, should open fire. The orders were 
 given at once. Alexander opened his batteries and Generals Kershaw 
 and Wofford advanced to the front through a dense woods. Distant 
 firing in the direction of Fredericksburg was heard, indicating that 
 the attack had. commenced on the extreme right. Night now carao 
 rapidly on aDd nothing could be observed of our operations. It being 
 
S3 
 
 reported to me, from Mah one's position, that the noise of crossing on 
 the pontoon bridge at Banks' ford could be heard, I sent to Colonel 
 Alexander, requesting him to throw shells so as to drop them as near 
 as possible about the crossing, which was promptly done. Shortly 
 afterwards, General Kershaw's arrival on the plank road was reported 
 to me, and I requested General Wilcox to assume the direction of it, 
 and with such a portion of his own brigade as he thought necessary, 
 proceed down the Banks' ford road, taking a battery with him, to 
 press the enemy, seize the redoubts suitable for shelling the crossing, 
 and open fire with the batteries, all of which was done in the most 
 prompt manner, General Wilcox being acquainted with the localities, 
 of which I knew nothing except by report. 
 
 I was as yet ignorant whether or not the attack upon the right had 
 been a success, but the noise of their passage over the pontoon 
 bridges, convincing me that the enemy were in full retreat, I thought it 
 best to press on in pursuit. After these orders had been given and 
 were in execution, I received a communication from General Lea, 
 dated ten, P. M., from Downman's house, informing me of the success 
 of the attack on the right and hirs desire that the enemv should be 
 pushed over the river that, night. Wofford's brigade advanced as far 
 as the river road, engaging the enemy as he went, arid driving them 
 before him, and halted for the night beyond the river road, extend- 
 ing his pickets. Wilcox and Kershaw pushed, on driping the enemy 
 before them, and occupied the redoubts commanding The ford and its 
 approaches, and opened fire with artillery in that direction. As my 
 troops advanced, I sent to Colonel Alexander, requesting him to fire 
 on the approaches from the other side only, as I did not wish to risk 
 his shells dropping among our troops ; he did as requested, and the 
 fire from all the batteries is reported by citizens about the ford, as 
 producing great confusion and as being very destructive. The enemy 
 throwing away their arms and breaking ranks, fled across the river 
 in the greatest disorder. As evidence of which, the accompanying 
 report of ordnance and ordnance stores picked up by my own divis- 
 ion, on this side of Salem church, shows how complete must have 
 been the demoralization. The darkness of the night, ignorance of the 
 country, and of the evente transpiring on the other end of the line, 
 prevented that co-operation which would have led to a more complete 
 success, but I believe that all was gained that could have been 
 expected under the circumstances. The enemy had several batteries — 
 sixteen guns — in front of the left of my line, sweeping every approach 
 from my left. I am not informed when they were withdrawn, but I 
 suppose they were immediately after dark. By the next morning the 
 enemy had retired from this side of the river, and my command was 
 employed in burying the dead, attending to the wounded, and collect- 
 ing arms and accoutrements. I received orders during the morning 
 to assemble my division, send General Anderson's brigades to rejoin 
 him, and to send an intelligent officer to the position of General Heth, 
 at or near the junction of the river and mine roads, to inform himself 
 of the points to be occupied, and if General Heth had left, to replace 
 him by the brigades of General Mahone and another of my own. But 
 
33 
 
 afterwards, in conversation with General Lee, he directed me to more 
 one of my brigades (General Kershaw) to relieve General Heth. The 
 brigade was already in motion, and I joined with it and went to Geo. 
 Heth's position. The march was not delayed for a moment, as the 
 brigade did not halt even once, and it arrived at its destination before 
 the storm. General Heth's main command was posted in rear of the 
 rifle pits, which had been constructed, two or three hundred yards ca 
 the plank road side of the junction of the river and mine roads, wi& 
 smaller bodies more to the front. His men and officers had theSr 
 shelter and other tents pitched, and there were no indications of 
 his moving on my arrival. I think he received orders after my 
 arrival, to move when I arrived. General Kershaw had relieved hia* 
 and was in position before the .storm commenced. General Heth 
 informed me that the strength of the three brigades under his com- 
 mand was about nineteen hundred aggregate, which was not so nume- 
 rous as the single brigade of General Kershaw. Colonel Wickham 
 offered his services to point out the different crossings on the river, 
 and I rode down the river road with him. A terrible storm of wiri 
 and rain delayed my return to my headquarters until between eight 
 and nine o'clock at night, when I learned that General Semmes hz.$ 
 been ordered to join General Kershaw. The next morning early I 
 rode to the position of Generals Kershaw and Semmes, and, advancing 
 the skirmishers and scouts, discovered that the enemy had gone over 
 the river. Shortly after, I received orders to retire to my former 
 position in front of Fredericksburg, leaving a brigade (WofFord's) at 
 Banks' ford. 
 
 The number of killed, wounded, and missing in my division, arc ! 
 
 besides 14 officero. 
 
 Kershaw, 
 
 104 of which 2 are missing. 
 
 Barksdale, 
 
 592 of which 327 are missing. 
 
 Semmes, 
 
 603 of which 26 are missing. 
 
 Wofford, 
 
 562 of which 9 are missing. 
 
 Artillery, 
 
 28 of which 2 are missing. 
 
 1,889 
 My inspector general reports over twelve hundred prisoners taktn . 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 L. McLAWS, Major Gmtrai, 
 
 9 
 
 3 
 
REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL EARLY. 
 
 Headquarters Early's Division, 
 May 7, 1863. 
 
 Major W, H. Taylor, 
 
 A. A. G. t Ar-my Northern Virginia : 
 
 Major r About daylight on the 29th ultimo, the enemy crossed at 
 the xtouth of Deep run, and later near Pratt's house, below. On 
 tsceiving information of the first movement, I immediately moved 
 tnj division into line on the railroad, the right resting at Hamilton's 
 Crossing, and the left at Deep run, and occupied the river road in 
 /rent with three regiments, and thus kept the enemy from advancing 
 to that road. The residue of the troops having, in the meantime, been 
 fcrought up, on the afternoon of the 30th, I received instructions from 
 Lieutenant General Jackson to remain behind with my division, and 
 one of McLaws' brigades, (Barksdale's.) to observe the enemy, while 
 the residue of the troops were removed to the left. General Pendle- 
 ton, with a portion of his reserve artillery, and Lieutenant Colonel 
 Andrews, with his battalion of artillery, was also left behind. My 
 division and Andrews' artillery occupied the lines on the right, and 
 Barksdale's brigade and Pendleton's artillery occupied Fredericksburg, 
 id the rear. 
 
 About eleven o'clock, on the 2d instant, instructions were received 
 from General Lee, through General Chilton, to leave a brigade behind 
 He a guard, and move with the residue up to Chancellorsville ; and as 
 soon as I could get ready, I commenced the movement, leaving behind 
 Hays' brigade and one of Barksdale's regiments. A portion of Gen- 
 eral Pendleton's artillery, under like instructions, was sent to the 
 tear. After I had commenced the movements, and had reached the 
 |>l?,nk road, and moved the head of the column up it about a mile, in- 
 formation was received from the rear of such character as to cause 
 cae to turn back and occupy the former line as before. 
 
 About light, on next morning, (Monday, the 3d,) I received informa- 
 tion from General Barksdale that the enemy had thrown a bridge 
 across at Fredericksburg ; and I immediately sent Hays' brigade from 
 the right to his support. In a short time the enemy commenced 
 making demonstrations from the mouth of Deep run and Fredericks- 
 burg. All his efforts to attack the left of my line were thwarted, and 
 one attack on Marye's hill was repulsed. The enemy, however, sent 
 a flag of truce to Colonel Griffin, oLthe eighteenth Mississippi regi- 
 ment, who occupied the works at the foot of Marye's hill with his 
 own and the twenty-first Mississippi regiment, which was received by 
 him imperfectly, and it had barely returned before heavy columns 
 were advanced against the position, and the trenches were carried, 
 and the hill taken — a large portion of the eighteenth Mississippi 
 regiment and a part of the twenty-firsp being taken prisoners, and a 
 company of the Washington artillery, with its guns, were captured. 
 
After this, the artillery on Lee's hill, and the rest of Barksdale's in- 
 fantry, with one of Hays' regiments, fell back on the telegraph roa 1. 
 Hays, with the remainder, being compelled to fall back up the plank 
 road, as he was on the lefy. Having received information, I hastened 
 op, and succeeded in halting the artillery and infantry, and checked 
 the advance of the enemy, and had the brigades on the right thrown 
 back into the second line; and upon the arrival of Hays' brig de, 
 which came around from the plank road, and three regiments of Gor- 
 don's, which had been sent for as soon as I heard of the disaster, a 
 line was formed across the telegraph road, at Cox's house, about two 
 miles back of L^e's hill. Having received information, Jate in the 
 day, that McLaws was moving down, and that the enemy, who had 
 passed heavy columns up the plank road, through Fredericksburg, 
 was to be attacked by his forces and mine in connection, I concen- 
 trated all my force at Ccx's house, which was not accomplished until 
 after night, having previously informed General McLawsofray inten- 
 tion to attack Marye's hill next morning, on the right and a Ivance, 
 extending my left so as to close in on him. Early next morning, I 
 threw Hoke's and Hays' brigade across Hazle run, to move down to- 
 wards the right, and advance Gordon's brigade towards Marye's and 
 Lee's hills, followed by Smith's and Barksdale's brigades. Gordon 
 succeeded in capturing Marye's hill with ease, aided by Colonel An- 
 drews' artillery, and Bark-dale's brigade was thrown into the trenches 
 in front of the hill, and Smith's brigade moved across Hazle run, md 
 a line formed facing up the plank road, on the plain between M ane's 
 hill and the heights, on the plank road, and at Taylor's house. I 
 then waited to, hear from McLaws; but hearing no sound of an engage- 
 ment in that direction, I felt the enemy with Smith's brigade, and 
 finding that he had artillery on the heights, in front of my right, I 
 ordered the brigade to retire, and sent to General McLaws, requesting 
 bim to I urn. In return, I received in&rmatjoa that Anderson's 
 division was moving down, and that an attack was to be made at a 
 signal. Subsequently I was sent for by General Lee, and having re- 
 ceived his instructions, at the signal agreed on, Hays', Hoke'.s and 
 Gordon's brigades, which had been placed in position, were advanced 
 against the enemy. Hays advancing in the centre, from the foot of 
 the hill opposite the mill and Hazle run ; Hoke on the left, advancing 
 across the hill on which Downman'a hous % is situated, and bol >w it, 
 and Gordon on the right, up the hills on the north of the pi ink roa I, 
 driving the enemy before them. This movement was commenced 
 very late, and Hiys' and Hok >'s brig vies were thrown into sotne con fu- 
 sion by coming in contact after they crossed the plank road, below 
 Guest's house; and it becoming difficult to distinguish oar troops 
 from those of the eherav, on account of the growing darkness, turfy 
 had, therefore, to fall b • 1 - to r >f irm, which wis dona on the pi tin 
 below Guest's hous ' i's brigade got iu the rearOf the'ene 
 
 right Mink, near Taylor's house, and to -k its position there IJrks 
 dale's brigade had been left at Miry** Kill, an i Smith's in p> 
 on the left of it, to strengthen Birksdalc or reinforce the others, as 
 occasion might require, an 1 two regiments were ordered up while 
 
36 
 
 Hays and Hoke's were being reformed. After seeing General Lee at 
 night, Hoke's brigade was placed in line on the left of Gordon, and 
 Hays was ordered to take position in the entrenchments, on the right 
 of Marye's hill, and Smith's regiments sent back to join the residue of 
 the brigade, on the left of that hill. • 
 
 The loss in my division during all the time, from the crossing, was 
 one hundred and thirty-six killed, eight hundred and thirty-eight 
 wounded, and some five hundred are reported missing, the greater 
 part of whom are, in all probability, stragglers. This does not in- 
 clude the loss in Barksdale's brigade and the artillery. 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 J. A. EARLY, Major General commanding. 
 
REPORT OF GENERAL STUART OF CAVALRY' OPERA- 
 TIONS. 
 
 Headquarters Cavalry Division, A. N. V., ) 
 
 May 8, 1863. } 
 
 Brigadier General R. H. Chilton, 
 
 A. A. and I. General Army N. Virginia : 
 
 General : In anticipation of the detailed reports, I have the honor 
 to submit the following sketch of the operation of the cavalry imme- 
 diately preceding and during the battles of the Wilderness and 
 Chancellorsville. The enemy had more than a week previously con- 
 centrated a large body of cavalry (two or three divisions) along the 
 line of the upper Rappahannock, whose attempt to hold a footing on 
 the south bank of the river had been repulsed with loss by the two 
 brigades with me, commanded respectively by Brigadier Generals 
 Fitzhugh and W. II. F. Lee. Finally, infantry appeared at Kelly's 
 ford and Rappahannock bridge, but were so inactive that thus far 
 there was nothing inconsistent with the supposition that their appear- 
 ance was a feint. About dark, however, on Tuesday night, April 
 28th, the enemy crossed below the bend of the river at Kelly's, in 
 boats, opposite our videttes, and, before the force posted to defend the 
 ford could be sent to that point, had crossed in such numbers as to 
 make any attempt at resistance futile. The party crossing at once 
 threw over a pontoon bridge and moved directly op the river, com- 
 pelling our forces to abandon the ford at Kelly's, and severing our 
 communication with the lower pickets. General \V. H. F. Lee, near 
 Brandy, on receiving this intelligence, sent a regiment (thirteenth Vir- 
 ginia cavalry) at once to meet the advance of infantry, which was 
 checked a mile above Kelly's. I received information of this move 
 about nine o'clock, P. M., at Culpeper, and made arrangements to 
 have the entire cavalry and artillery force in Culpeper on the ground 
 at daylight the next morning, directing, in the meantime, that the 
 enemy be so enveloped with pickets as to see what route he took from 
 Kelly's and keep him in check.* General W. H. F. Lee selected a 
 fine position between Brandy and Kelly's and awaited the advance, 
 General Fitz Lee being held in reserve at Brandy, with a regiment at 
 Stevensburg. The enemy did not make a serious advance towards 
 our position, though Chambliss, with the thirteenth Virginia, was 
 skirmishing all the forenoon with the enemy's infantry. 
 
 About one o'clock, P. M., I received a report from the pickets to- 
 wards Madden's that the enemy was moving a large infantry force in 
 that direction. Leaving Chambliss in front of the enemy where I 
 then was. I marched the remainder of the command, Fitz Lee in ad- 
 vance, directly to Madden^s, where we pierced the enemy's column, 
 
 *In this report I have endeavored to describe- the various operations of the 
 cavalry, without detailing the result of the various contests. 
 
38 
 
 while marching, and scattered it, talcing possession of the road and 
 capturing a number of prisoners, wlych enabled us to [develop their 
 Btrength "and designs, as we captured prisoners from three army 
 corps: the 'eleventh (Howard's), twelfth (Slocum's), and the fifth 
 (Meade's), and soon after learned that the column hud marched direct 
 for Geimana ford. These items were telegraphed to the command- 
 ing General. Colonel J. Lucius Davis, near Beaver Dam, had been 
 telegraphed early that day to move his forces at once to occupy and 
 hold the Rapidan fords, but I had no assurance that the order would 
 be obeyed with nufficient promptness to accomplish the object, and as 
 there was no cavalry on the left flank of the main army, it was indis- 
 pensably necessary to move round to get in front of the enemy 
 moving down upon Fredericksburg, delay him as much as possible, 
 and protect our left flank ; besides, while in the execution of this 
 design, I received instructions from the commanding General to give 
 necessary orders about public property along the railroad and swing 
 around to join his left wing, delaying the enemy as much as possible 
 in his march. The brigade of General Fitz Lee was put en route, in 
 a jaded and hungry condition, to Raccoon ford, to cross and move 
 round to the enemy's front. General W. II. F. Lee, with the two 
 .regiments, the seventh and thirteenth, under his command, was 
 directed to move by way of Culpeper, to take up the line of the 
 upper Rapidan, and look out for Goruonsville and the railroad. 
 Couriers had been, by direction, sent to Ely's and Germana to notify 
 our parties there of the enemy's advance, but were captured, and 
 consequently the parties at those points received no notice. By the- 
 good management of Captain Collins, however, (now Major fifteenth 
 Virginia cavalry,) the enemy wa3 checked for some time at Ger- 
 mana, and his wagons and implements saved, though some of his men 
 were captured. A strong party of sharpshooters was left to hold the 
 road of the enemy's march as long as possible, and these follow on, 
 which was done, the party maintaining their position until eleven 
 o'clock at night, when the enemy advanced and compelled them to 
 retire. Dispatches captured showed that trains of wagons and droves 
 of cattle accompanied the expedition, and the men were already sup- 
 plied with five days rations in haversacks. These items placed it 
 beyond doubt that the enemy was making a real movement to turn 
 Fredericksburg. Crossing the Rapidan that night the main body of 
 cavalry was halted to rest a few hours, having marched more than 
 half the night, and one regiment, Colonel Owen, was sent on to gefr 
 between the enemy and Fredericksburg and impede his progress. 
 Early the next day, (Thursday, April 30th,) Owen having reached 
 the Germana road, on the Fredericksburg side, kept in the enemy's 
 front, while the remainder kept on the enemy's right flank, opened on 
 his column at Wilderness tavern, delaying his march until twelve, 
 M., and causing several regiments of infantry to deploy in line of 
 battle to meet us. Hearing that the enemy had already reached 
 Chancellorsville by the Ely's ford road, I directed my march by 
 Todd's tavern for Spottsylvania Court House. Night overtook us at 
 Todd's tavern, and anxious to know what the commanding General 
 
39 
 
 desired me to do further, I left the command to bivouac here, .4 
 proceeded with my staff towards his headquarters, near Frederic- <*- 
 burg, but had not proceeded a mile before we found ourselves 
 confronted by a party of the enemy double our own, directly in oor 
 path. I sent back hastily for a regiment, which, coming up, (fifth 
 Virginia cavalry, Colonel Tyler,) attacked and routed the party. 
 But, in the meantime, another body of the enemy's cavalry came in 
 rear of the fifth. Receiving notice of this, I gave orders to with- 
 draw the fifth from the road and sent for the brigade to push op at 
 once. This was done, and by the bright moonlight a series of charges 
 routed and scattered this expedition, which had penetrated to wittnn 
 a mile or two of Spottsylvania Court- House. It has been since ascer- 
 tained that this expedition was by no means an insignificant affvir, 
 and but for the timely arrival of this cavalry on the spot, and its 
 prompt and vigorous action, might have resulted disastrously. Artil- 
 lery, as well as trains, were passing Spottsylvania unprotected at the 
 time. With very little rest, without waiting for rations or for^g^, 
 this noble little brigade, under its incomparable leader, were in -he 
 saddle early tjie next morning, and moving on Jackson's left flank 
 during the entire day (May 1st), and swinging around to the left to 
 threaten the enemy's rear. On the morning of May 2d, the cavalry 
 of this brigade was disposed so as to clear Jackson's way in turning 
 the enemy's right flank and to cover the movement of this coi pv, 
 masking it on its right flank. This was done most successfully, driv- 
 ing off the enemy's cavalry whenever it appeared, and enabled Jack- 
 son to surprise the enemy. In the subsequent operations attendi&g 
 the battle and glorious victory, the cavalry did most essential servue 
 in watching our flanks and holding the Ely's ford road in the enemy'J 
 rear, Wickhara and Owen being on the extreme right. The horM 
 artillery kept pace with the infantry in the battle of the Wilderness, 
 leading the attack of artillery. Too much praise cannot be awar>. i 
 the brave men who thus bore fatigue, hunger, loss of sleep and d >■"«- 
 gcr without a murmur. The operations of Brigadier General W. H. 
 F. Lee, with his handful of men, are embraced in the memova »U 
 furnished by him. His report is not only satisfactory, but gives <•>!- 
 dence of sagacity and good conduct throughout, and of great 
 efficiency on the part of his command. The result shows that the 
 disposition made of these two commands was absolutely necessary. 
 Jones' brigade was entirely out of reach, and Hampton was south of 
 James river recruiting. That Stoneman, with a large cavalry forv«s, 
 was allowed to penetrate into the heart of the State, though compar- 
 atively harmless in results, is due to the entire inadequacy '!n 
 numbers of the cavalry of the army of Northern Virginia. The 
 enemy has confronted us with at leas; three divisions of cavalry, 
 more or less concentrated, which we oppose with one division, spn .1 
 from the Chesapeake to the Alleghany ; yet, had not the approach. ~f 
 a battle below made it necessary to divide the force of the two Lets, 
 I feel very confident that Stoneman's advance would have been pre- 
 vented, though with great sacrifice of life, owing to disparity cf 
 
40 
 
 numbers.* With the commanding General, who is aware of all the 
 facts, we are content to rest our vindication, if the pursuit of the 
 ptain path of duty need vindication. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 J. E. B. STUART, 
 Major General commanding. 
 • 
 *A Belgian officer of General Carl Schurz's staff was captured, who represented 
 that the eleventh corps was certainly across; how much more was to follow he 
 could not tell, but thought that the force altogether in this column was about 
 80,000. He seemed frank and honest, as well as communicative. 
 
REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL JOHNSON. 
 
 Headquarters Johnston's Division, ) 
 August 25, 1863. • S 
 
 Major Chas. Marshall ; 
 
 Major : I have the honor to forward Brigadier General R. E. Col- 
 ston's official report of the battle of Chancellorsville. 
 
 It will be observed that General Colston's report is very full, em- 
 bracing the operations of the different brigades in detail. 
 
 None of the brigade commanders, who commanded in the battle, are 
 present ; three were killed, and the other, Brigadier General H. C. 
 Nichols, permanently disabled. 
 
 If General Colston's report is not sufficiently full for your pur- 
 poses, please inform me and I will forward reports from senior offi- 
 cers present, who participated in the battle. 
 I am, Major, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 ED. JOHNSON, 
 Major General. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL COLSTON. 
 
 Headquarters Colston's Brigade, ) 
 May 28, 1862. \ 
 
 Major A. S. Pendleton, A. A. G. : 
 
 Sir : As commander of Trimble's division, during the battle of 
 Chancellorsville on the 2d and 3d instant, I have the honor to submit 
 the following report of the operations of ^.that division. This report 
 would have been forwarded before, but for the fact that, being sepa- 
 rated from the rest of the division, and being no longer in command 
 of it, I did not receive all the brigade returns until yesterday. 
 
 On the 29th of April, the divisions received orders to march from 
 their camps at Moss and Shinker's Necks to Hamilton's Crossing. 
 They reached this point in the evening, and remained there until 
 May 1st. Orders were then received to march in a direction leading 
 towards Chancellorsville. The march was contiued until night, and 
 resumed early the next morning, upon th> plank road leading to 
 Orange Court House. Arriving at the point where Generals Ander- 
 son's and McLaw's divisions were in position, we turned to the left 
 by a road leading by Catherine furnace to the Brook road, and thence 
 to the Orange and Fredericksburg plank road, which we followed to 
 the Germana junction. Here the first brigade, under General Pax- 
 ton, was deuched from the division, and ordered to report to Briga- 
 dier General Fitz Lee, of the cavalry. This brigade was not engaged 
 during the evening of the 2d, and did not rejoin the division until 
 next morning. The rest of the division moved on, together with the 
 corps, until they had reached a point west of Wilderness church, and 
 in the rear of the enemy's right flank. 
 
 About five o'clock, P. M , on May 2d, I received orders to form 
 line of battle near the " Luckett house," perpendicular to a road 
 which passes on by Wilderness church, and merges into the plank road 
 leading to Chancellorsville. After receiving several orders and 
 counter-orders, which caused some delay, my line was finally formed, 
 my three brigades' being nearly all on the left of the road, Colston's 
 brigade being on the right, under Col. Warren, Jones' brigade next, and 
 Nichols' on the extreme left. My line was about two hundred yards 
 in the rear of General Rodes, who was in the first line, and orders 
 were received that, when any portion of the first line needed reinforce- 
 ments, the officer, commanding this position, would call for and re- 
 ceive aid from the portion of the line in his rear, without referring 
 the order to division commanders. 
 
 Orders to advance were received at six o'clock precisely, and the 
 troops moved on with enthusiasm against the enemy. In a few mo- 
 ments the action opened with a tremendous fire of musketry, two 
 pieces of Stuart's horse artillery, in the road, supporting our infantry 
 with their fire. Notwithstanding the tangled and very difficult char- 
 
4S 
 
 acter of the woods, and the resistance of the enemy, our troops ad- 
 vanced with great rapidity, driving the enemy like chaff before their., 
 but not without loss to themselves. The division had advanced but 
 a short time, not more than ten or fifteen minutes, and the battle had 
 hardly more than commenced, when General Rodes called upon Col- 
 onel Warren to support him. The troops of my division had pressed 
 on so ardently, that they were already within a few steps of the first 
 line, and, in some places, mixed up with them. The second and third 
 brigades, commanded by General J. R. Jones and Colonel Warren, 
 pushed on 'with, and through, the first line, and they were the first to 
 charge upon and capture the first line of entrenchments of the enemy, 
 which were in an open field beyond the Wilderness church. This 
 they did under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry. 
 
 A large number of prisoners and two pieces of artillery were taken 
 here by the second brigade, Captain W. S. Hannah, of the fiftieth 
 Virginia regiment, being the first to lay his hands upon these pieces, 
 and color sergeant Pickle, of the same regiment, planting his colore 
 over them. At the same time, three pieces of artillery and a number 
 of prisoners were taken by the third brigade, whose gallant com- 
 mander, Colonel Warren, had fallen, severely wounded a few minutes 
 before, and which was now under the command of Colonel T. V . Wil- 
 liams, thirty-seventh Virginia. We continued to drive the enemy 
 before us until darkness prevented our further advance. The firing 
 had now ceased, owing to the very difficult and tangled nature of the 
 ground over which the troops had advanced, and the mingling of 
 the first and second lines of ba'tle, the formation of the troops had 
 become Jvery much confused, and different regiments, brigades and 
 divisions wero mixed up together. In order to be ready to renew the 
 conflict at daylight, it was necessary to reform them in proper order, 
 and a portion of General A. P' Hill's troops having moved to the 
 front, I ordered the different brigades of my division to form near the 
 log hospital, which was occupied by the enemy's wounded, and to draw 
 a fresh supply of ammunition. The fourth brigade was formed on 
 the left of the plank road, the others on the right. The first, which 
 had been detached in the evening, not having yet rejoined, was some 
 distance in the rear. The troops were hardly reformed and placed 
 in position, when the enemy opened, about ten o'clock, a furious fire 
 of shot, shell and canister, sweeping down the plank road and the 
 woods on each side. A number of artillery horses, some of them 
 without drivers, and a great many infantry soldiers, belonging toother 
 commands, rushed down the road in wild disorder ; but although many 
 casualties occurred at this time in my division, the troops occupied 
 their positions frith the utmost steadiness.- It was at this time that 
 General Nichols, of the Louisiana brigade, (fouith) a gallant and ac- 
 complished officer, had his left tag torn off by a shell, and was car- 
 ried off the field. The command of his brigade devolved on Colonel 
 J. M. Williams, who, during the following day, discharged with zeal 
 and gallantry the duties of brigade commander. It was also about 
 the same tin;*' that our great and good, and ever to be lamented corps 
 commander, fell under the fire of some of the men of General Lane's 
 
44 
 
 brigade. A desultory firing continued at irregular intervals during 
 the night, and the wearied troops had but small opportunity to obtain 
 the repose which was soo needful for the task of the next day. Gene- 
 ral J. R. Jones, owing to the ulcerated condition of one of his legs, 
 was compelled to leave the field about eleven o'clock, and Colonel T. 
 S. Garnett assumed command of his brigade. 
 
 Early on Sunday morning, orders were given to the division to form 
 at right angles to the plank road, near the log house,. occupied as a 
 hospital by the enemy. Colston's and Jones' brigades on the right of 
 the road, and Paxton's and Nichol's on the left, in second line. As 
 soon as it v,as broad daylight, the battle commenced with fury. Our 
 troops advanced from the breastworks, running perpendicular to the 
 plank road, and charged the enemy up the hills, but were driven back by 
 the enemy who were strongly reinforced. Colston's brigade, under 
 Colonel T. V. Williams, immediately advanced to the support of the first 
 line , and became hotly engaged. Col. T. V. Williams being wounded, 
 and Lieut. Col. Walker who succeeded him in command of the brigade, 
 being killed, the command devolved first upon Lieut. Col. Thurston, 
 third North Carolina regiment, and he being wounded, Lieut Colonel 
 Brown, first North Carolina, assumed command. Here Colonel Mc- 
 Dowell, first North Carolina regiment was wounded, and Major Sto- 
 ver, tenth Virginia regiment was killed. By this time the enemy 
 were advancing in very strong force towards the right of our line 
 and of the breastworks, and were about out-flanking us on the right. 
 Seeing this danger, I sent Mr. Grogan, of General Trimble's staff, to 
 order Paxton's brigade to move by the right flank across the road, and 
 Lieutenant Hinrichs of the engineers, was sent with an order to Jones' 
 brigade, under Colonel Garnett, t ) advance towards the right from 
 their position, a little in the rear in reserve. This was a most criti- 
 cal moment. The troops in the breastworks, belonging mainly (I be- 
 lieve) to General Pender's and General McGowan's brigades, were 
 almost without ammunition, and had become mixed with each other, 
 and with fragments of other commands. They were huddled up close 
 to the breastworks, six and eight deep. In the meantime the enemy's 
 line was steadily advancing on our front and right, almost without 
 opposition, until I ordered the troops in the breastwork to oj>en fire 
 upon them. At this moment, Paxton's brigade having moved by the 
 right flank across the road, and then by the left flank in line of bat- 
 tle, advanced towards the breastworks. Before reaching them, the 
 gallant and lamented General Paxton fell ; the command devolved 
 upon Colonel Funk, fifth Virginia regiment. The brigade advanced 
 steadily, and the second brigade moved up at the same time. They 
 opened fire upon the enemy and drove them back in confusion. It 
 was at and beyond these breastworks that the division sustained the 
 most severe loss, the nature of the ground being such that the enemy 
 had a plunging fire upon us, and sent destruction upon all that occu- 
 pied the slope of the hill on which we were. Here fell the gallant 
 Colonel Garnett, commanding Jones' brigade, leaving Colonel Vande- 
 venter, fiftieth Virginia, in command. Here Major McEim, of divi- 
 sion staff, was killed while most gallantly cheering on the men. 
 
45 
 
 Major Hoffman and Mr. Grogan, of the same staff, were wounded. 
 All these officers having remained mounted with and near the divis- 
 ion commander and the other members of the staff, and having their 
 horses killed under them. 
 
 For a time the tide of battle fluctuated; the three brigades of this 
 division making several distinct charges, and being driven back by 
 superior numbers, until at last the enemy were compelled to abandon 
 their works near the Chancellor house. About twenty pieces of 
 artillery coming into battery helped, finally, to drive back the enemy, 
 and the conflict was virtually over at this point, and the firing ceased. 
 In the meanwhile a very sharp fire on the left of the road announced 
 that the Louisiana brigade was hotly engaged. I ordered part of the 
 troops in the breastwork to march by the left flank to their support, 
 and General Colquitt's brigade coming up at the same time, was 
 ordered, by General Stuart, to proceed in the same direction. These 
 forces arrived on the left just in time The Louisiana troops, who 
 had been fighting gallantly for a long time without support, and whoso 
 ammunition was almost entirely exhausted, were falling bark, under 
 a tremendous fire of artillery and musketry. The arrival of the rein- 
 forcements enabled them to stop their retrograde movement and the 
 whole line advanced together, and, delivering a few well directed 
 volleys, the enemy was forced to retreat. It was now about twelve 
 o'clock. The enemy was driven beyond Chancellorsvillo. The troops 
 of my division wereelmost entirely without ammunition, having ex- 
 pended all their own, besides a large quantity of Yankee ammunition. 
 They were accordingly withdrawn to the rear, and supplied with 
 fresh ammunition and with rations, of which they stood in great 
 need, and their shattered ranks were reformed. 
 
 No further movements took place until about three o'clock. At 
 this time I received an order to report in person to General Lee. 
 Upon my doing so, the General ordered me to form my division per- 
 pendicular to the road leading from the Chancellorsville house towards 
 to the United States ford — to throw forward skirmishers and to 
 advance fur the purpose of feeling and ascertaining the enemy's posi- 
 tion — not of taking his batteries. To this he added, thalt the road 
 turned to the right at about a quarter of a mile distant, but that I 
 would probably meet opposition before I got there. I accordingly 
 formed my troops on both sides of the road, Nichols' and Colston's 
 brigades being on the left and Jones' and Paxton's on the right. I 
 ordered Lieutenant Hinrichs, of the engineers, to advance with the 
 skirmishers and reconnoitre the enemy's position. The command was 
 then given for the division to move forward. Hardly had they 
 advanced a few paces, when a terrific fire of shell an,d canister was 
 opened, by the enemy, from a battery of twelve pieces of artillery. I 
 ordered a section of Napoleon guns to advance up the road and reply 
 to the enemy's fire. There was no other spot than the road, in whichr 
 they could be placed, and that was too narrow to allow a larger num- 
 ber of pieces to be put in battery. Finding that they would be speedily 
 silenced, and probably, with useless loss of life and material by the ene- 
 my's superior artillery, I ordered them back after a few rounds. In the 
 
46 
 
 meantime, perceiving some confusion on the left, of the road, I proceeded 
 there and found the tenth Louisiana regiment exposed to a. perfect storm 
 of grape and shell, and rapidly giving way. Seconded by my aid, Lieut. 
 Tosh, and by the gallant exertions of the officers of this regiment, whose 
 conduct deserves the highest praise,. I succeeded in arresting this 
 retrograde. movement, in spite of the enemy's continued fire ; but the 
 carriage in this small regiment was great — in less than; two minutes, 
 fifty officers and men fell, killed and wounded, by my side, including 
 Lieutenant Colonel Legett, who was instantly killed by a shell. The 
 remainder of the brigade suffered in a less degree, some portions 
 having advanced inside of the point where the enemy's shot were 
 falling. By this time it was ascertained that the enemy occupied a 
 formidable position ; twelve pieces of artillery were planted in barbette 
 at the top of the first hill, and a line of entrenchments, occupied by in- 
 fantry, stretched out on each side of the artillery, occupying a front 
 much wider than that of my division. Another line of infantry, 
 precceded by skirmishers, was drawn up outside of the works. To 
 advance in the face of such a force, with a division so much reduced 
 as mine was, would have been only to ensure its destruction, and 
 ■would have been contrary to the instructions I had received fr.om the 
 General commanding. I accordingly reported to General Stuart, who 
 was, for the time, my immediate commander, that my division was 
 not able to attack^ with any prospect of success, the position of the 
 enemy. I was then ordered by him to place nrV division in some 
 entrenchments which had been abandoned by the enemy ; the division 
 was moved at night to a position in prolongation of General Rodes' 
 line, and the position was fortifbd during the next day and night. 
 On Monday and Tuesday, occasional skirmishing took place with the 
 enemy. 
 
 In reconnoitering his position and ascertaining his movements, im- 
 portant service was rendered by Lieutenant Colonel R. T. Colston, of 
 the second Virginia, and Captain William Randolph, and Lieutenant 
 Hinrichs, of the engineers. 
 
 The enemy having withdrawn their forces across the river, two 
 brigades of this division, Colston's and Jones', remained, the first at 
 United States ford,, and the latter near Chancellor3ville, and collected 
 upon the battle-field vast quantities of arms, ordnance, &c, which 
 were sent on to Guiney Station and Hamilton's Crossing. Commu- 
 nication was opened with the enemy by flag of truce; and, in accord- 
 ance vith instructions from General Lee, they were allowed to move 
 all their wounded, and also the bodies of several of their officers who 
 had fallen in the battle. These duties being completed, the two 
 brigades above jnentioned returned to the neighborhood of Hamiltm's 
 Crossing, and I returned to the command of my own brigade on the 
 20th instant. 
 
 "Where all did their duty so well and so completely, it becomes im- 
 possible to mention all those who exhibited great gallantry. That 
 the trocps of this division did perform their dut/ well an 1 completely, 
 is evidenced by the bloody roll of the killed and wounded. Two 
 hundred and sixty-seven killed, and fifteen hundred and ninety-two 
 
47 
 
 wounded, making eighteen hundred and forty-nine casualties, not 
 counting the very slightly wounded, in a division which went 
 into action with little more than six thousand men, is a larger 
 per centage than that of any other division in the lato hattle. 
 Although placed in second line at the commencement of the action, it 
 is an indubitable fact that, before jt had made progress many minutes, 
 both on Saturday and on Sunday, the troops of this division had 
 passed into and repeatedly through and beyond the first line. And, 
 without any desire to detract from the just fame of other commands, 
 I feel confident that much of the credit due to the prowess of Trim- 
 ble's division has been attributed toothers. The unusual proportion 
 of officers who fell — the fact that the four brigades lost eight biigade 
 commanders, three of them killed and the rest disabled, and that, out 
 of the division staff, one was killed and two were wounded, all this 
 shows that all, of every rank, bore their part well in this great bat- 
 tle. ' 
 
 I cannot, however, close this report without mentioning, more par- 
 ticularly, first the names of some of the most promnient of the gal- 
 lant dead. Paxton, Garnett and Walker, died heroically at tho head 
 of their brigades. Tho chivalrous Duncan McRim, of General Trim- 
 ble's staff, fell while conducting reinforcements to repel the enemy. 
 Major Stover, of tho tenth Virginia; Lieutenant Colonel Liggett, 
 tenth Louisiana, and many others fell to rise no more. Colonel War- 
 ren, tenth Viiginia; Colonel T. V. Williams, thirty-seventh Vir- 
 ginia ; and Lieut. Colonel Thurston, third North Carolina, wounded 
 while commanding the third brigade, deserve special mention for their 
 gallantry. Also, Colonel Funk, fifth Virginia ; Colonel Vandeven- 
 tcr, fiftieth Virginia; Lieutenant Colonel Brown, first North Caro- 
 lina; and Colonel J. M. Williams, tenth Louisiana, on whem the 
 command of the first, second, third and fourth biigades devolved, 
 respectively. Lieutenant Colonel Withers, of forty-second Vir- 
 ginia ; Major White, forty-eighth Virginia; Captain Buckner, fori_y~ 
 fourth Virginia; Captain Mosely, twenty-first Virginia; Maj jr 
 Perkins and Captain Kelly, commanding fiftieth Virginia, and Captain 
 Samuel J. C. Moore, acting adjutant general to Jones' brigade, are 
 mentioned for gallant conduct by their brigade commanders. Also, 
 Lieutenant C. J. Arnell, acting assistant adjutant general of Paxton's 
 brigade, and Captain Henry Kyd Douglass, inspector of this brigade, 
 to whose gallantry and good conduct 1 am also an eye witness. Col- 
 onel II. K. Edmundson, of the twenty -seventh Virginia, severely 
 wounded at the head of his regiment, also deserves special mention. 
 Of the conduct of the division staff, I cannot spoak too highly. Major 
 Hoffman and Mr. Charles Grogan were both severely wounded, while 
 nobly discharging their duties. Ciptain W. Carvel Hall, assistant 
 adjutant general, was not only conspicuous for his gallantry, but dis- 
 charged the arduous duties of his position, both during and after tlio 
 battle, with a zeal and ability worthy of all praise ; as did also Lieuten- 
 ant Ilinrichs. of the engineers, who acted, during the b.tttle, as ai 1- 
 de e.imp. Lieutenant James T Tosh, my own aid -de-cam , behaved 
 with a daring and bravery which cannot be surpassed, and aided mo 
 
48 
 
 materially more than once in rallying and pushingforward some portions 
 of the line, momentarily wavering under the superior numbers and 
 withering fire of the enemy. . 
 
 I also wish to express my high appreciation of the skillful, zealous 
 and able manner in which Dr. R. F. Coleman, division surgeon, dis- 
 charged the duties of his office. 
 
 I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, 
 
 R. B. COLSTON, Brigadier General 
 Official copy : 
 
 R. W. Hunter, A. A. G. t Johnson's Division. 
 
 >• 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL W. H. F. LEE. 
 
 Thursday, April PMk. — Marched from Culpeper to Rapidan station 
 with ninth and thirteenth Virginia cavalry, and one piece of artil- 
 lery ; left one squadron in Culpepeper, which fell back on the appear- 
 ance of the enemy, and joined me at Rapidan. Enemy appeared that 
 evening. r 
 
 Fiiday, May 1st — Engaged all day with one or two brigades of 
 eavalry. One charge made by Colonel Beale with one squadron, 
 to draw them out, took thirty prisoners, but could not bring them off; 
 was pressed very hard. Received orders from General Lee to burn 
 the bridge and fall back to Gordonsville ; burnt the bridge, but held 
 my position all day. Enemy commenced moving towards night in 
 force on my left. Withdrew at night and marched towards Gordons- 
 ville. 
 
 Saturday, May "d. — Reached Gordonsville at eleven o'clock, A. M. ; 
 heard on my arrival that a large body of tbe enemy were at Trevil- 
 lian"s Depot and Louisa Court-Hou^e; sent the ninch Virginia cav- 
 alry in that direction ; tbeir videttes were driven in by the enemy. 
 The ninth regiment charged and drove them three miles, killed and 
 wounded a number, and took thirty-two prisoners. One lieutenant and 
 four prisoners taken represented three different regiments. My loss 
 was three or four wounded. Went to the assistance of the ninth with 
 the thirteenth regiment, and two pieces of artillery ; met Colonel 
 Beale falling back; took aposition and waited their approach. They 
 did not advance. Learned that General Stoneman with his whole 
 corps was at Louisa Court-House, moving towards James river; sup- 
 posed that his ol'ject was to tear up the railroad; night coming on, 
 my men and horses being wearied out by four days' fighting and 
 marching, I left my pickets out and withdrew to Gordonsville. 
 
 Sunday, May Sd. — Received information from my scouts that the 
 enemy were leaving Louisa and moving in the direction of Columbia. 
 Knowing their object was to destroy the aqueduct, I started after them. 
 Arrived there at night ; heard that they had left in a great hurry ; 
 pursued all night. At daybreak, having traveled sixty or seventy 
 miles, the enemy being three hours ahead of me, halted. My vi- 
 dettes reported the enemy about one mile in advance ; had exchanged 
 words ; they said th'y belonged to the fifth regulars ; knew the party 
 I was pursuing was Wyndham's. 
 
 Monday, May 4th. — Started forward and came upon him drawn up in 
 the road. One squadron of the ninth was ahead a few hundred yards ; 
 charged ; the enemy charged at the same time ; fought band to hand 
 for four or five minutes ; routed the party ; killed six, wounded a 
 number ; and took thirty three prisoners, among them Capt. Owens and 
 Lieutenant Buford. Captain Owens reported that his regiment was 
 not all present, but that he was on picket; that (Jeneral Buford was 
 only three miles distant. My horses and men being jaded, and hav- 
 ing only about eight hundred men, I determined not to pursue. Con- 
 4 
 
50 
 
 tinned back to Gordonsville, having traveled some seventy or eighty 
 miles. 
 
 Tuesday, May 5th. — Rested ; having sent out scouting parties. 
 Heard by telegram from Richmond that the enemy were everywhere. 
 
 Wednesday, May 6th. — Having received information that the enemy 
 were recrossing the railroad, moved down upon his left flank ; came 
 upon his rear at North Anna river; took some seventeen or eighteen 
 prisoners. Their rear guard had crossed the river and torn up the 
 bridge. It had been raining all day and the river was past fording. 
 Hearing that this was onlyjone party and that another column was 
 moving lower down, went in that direction ; found they had all crossed 
 the North Anna, and destroyed the bridges behind them. Moved that 
 night in the direction of Louisa Court-House. Bivouacked in three 
 miles of Court-House. 
 
 Thursday, May 7th. — Went to Trevillians and fed. Moved on at 
 three, P. M. for Orange Court-House ; arrived at eight, A. M. Scouts 
 reported that the enemy had crossed the Rapidan. 
 
 W. H. F. LEE, Brigadier General. 
 
RETORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL TENDER. 
 
 Camp Gregg, Va., May 14, 1863. 
 Brigadier General II. IIetii, 
 
 Commanding A. P. HiWs Division : 
 
 General: I have the honor to make the following report of the part 
 taken by my brigade in the battle of Chancellorsville. Having ar- 
 rived upon the right of the enemy's position May 2d, I was ordered 
 to form line of battle upon the left of the road leading to Chancellors- 
 ville, in rear and in support of a line formed by part of Colston's 
 division. In this order we advanced some distance, when orders were 
 received to entor the road again, and push on by the flank, in which 
 order I moved until reaching the advance position of our troops. 
 Here, after my men were subjected to a most galling and destructive 
 shelling from the batteries near Chancellorsville, 1 moved my regi- 
 ments in to the left, and formed line of battle, my right resting upon the 
 road. Before I had completed my formation, I found that my troops 
 occupied the most advanced position of our forces. Skirmishers were 
 thrown out to the front, and in this position we remained until the 
 general advance was ordered, early next morning, May 3d. My line 
 had not advanced more than one hundred ami fifty yards before the 
 firing became very heavy ; but my men continued to advance, and 
 soon it became apparent tint the enemy were posted behind a breast- 
 work of logs and brush. This we carried without once hesitating. 
 Beyond the breastwork* the resistance again became very ob.-tinate,. 
 as if we had come in contact with a fresh line ; but let me here say 
 that the thickness of the undergrowth very much obstructed the view 
 of operations the whole of this day ; and this, in its turn, was driven 
 back after a short contest; but further on the resistance became so 
 great from their infantry force, and the tremendous fire from artil- 
 lery on my right regiments, that they were forced to fall back, but 
 rallied at the breastworks, about one hundred and fifty yards in our 
 rear. My left regiment, (thirteenth North Carolina,) not being sub- 
 jected to the artillery fire, did hot fall back, but continued to advance 
 for a long distance, with the brigade on my left; and in this advance 
 Lieutenant Ireland, company E, thirteenth North Carolina, rushed 
 gallantly forward and captured Brigadier General Hays and staff, 
 who were endeavoring to escape. Corporal Monroe Robinson, com- 
 pany A, thirteenth North Carolina, also, about this time, chased a 
 color bearer so closely that he tore off the colors and threw down the 
 staff, which was secured. 
 
 After the other four regiments fell back to the breastworks and 
 were reformed, I advanced again, the men going forward with alacrity: 
 but, after penetrating the woods about the same distance as before, 
 had to fall back again. This, to some extent, was unavoidable, as our 
 line on the right of the road had bc< n driven back about this time, 
 and the men thus found that the enemy were at least one hundred 
 
52 
 
 yards in roar of them on the opposite side of the road. The thir- 
 teenth North Carolina, (on the left,) after advancing a long way to 
 the front, was finally compelled to fall back, for want of support and 
 ammunition, which it did in good order. When my line was forced 
 back the second time, supports came up, and tocxk the advance. My 
 men were about out of ammunition, broken down and badly cut up, 
 having lost about seven hundred officers and men in the short time we 
 had been engaged. What field officers were left^ collected the men, 
 after they had fallen behind the front line, and were engaged at dif- 
 ferent times during the fight. Knowing the ground pretty well by 
 this time, I remained in the fight with whatever troops came up, until 
 about the close of the action, when I very readily got ray men into 
 shape again, near the spot from where I commenced the advance. 
 
 I can truly say that my brigade fought (May 3d) with unsurpassed 
 courage and determination. I never knew them act universally so 
 well. I noticed rio skulking; and they never showed any hesitation 
 in following their colors. My list of killed and wounded will show 
 how manfully they fought on that glorious day. After having wit- 
 nessed the fighting of nearly all the troops that fought on the left of 
 the road, I am satisfied with my own, but by no means claiming 
 any superiority. All that I saw behaved as heroes. 
 
 Colonel Scales, thirteenth North Carolina, was wounded, and thug 
 I was deprived of as gallant a man as is to be found in the service. 
 Lieutenant Colonel Hyman, thirteenth North Carolina, showed him- 
 self a true and gallant officer. Captain Rogers, thirteenth North 
 Carolina, gallantly carried the colors of his regiment for some time 
 after receiving a wound in the arm. Adjutant Walker, thirteenth 
 Ncith Carolina, also received high commendation from his regimental 
 commander for his gallantry. Lieutenant Smith, company B, thir- 
 teenth North Carolina, has been frequently recommended for promo- 
 tion for gallant conduct, but thus far has not been confirmed. Being 
 fired upon by one of the enemy, he rushed forward and killed him 
 with his sA'ord. Lieutenant Williamson, also recommended, as well 
 as Lieutenant Smith, continued throughout the fight, after receiving 
 a flesh wound through the thigh. Colonel McElroy and Lieutenant 
 •Colonel Stowe, sixteenth North Carolina, both behaved as finely as 
 officers could, until they were both seriously wounded. And I cannot 
 refrain from mentioning private Wiggins, of the same regiment, for 
 his gallantry and endurance. After being on skirmish or picket duty 
 for three days and nights, he volunteered to go out again, when he very 
 coolly and deliberately loaded several guns, with which he killed sev- 
 eral of the enemy. It is with great sorrow that I have to record the 
 deaths of Lieutenant Colonel Cole and Major Odell, twenty-second 
 North Carolina ; two finer soldiers or more gallant men were not to 
 be found in the army. They never failed me on any occasion. 
 Lieutenant Colonel Ashford, Lieutenants Brown and Robinson, 
 thirty-eighth North Carolina, the former part of the time, and the two 
 latter all the time, in charge of my sharpshooters, distinguished them- 
 selves very much. Colonel Ashford was remarked for his gallantry 
 by all; and Lieutenant Brown continued with, or in charge of, the 
 
53 
 
 sharpshooters for several days. lie is a young man who deserves 
 •promotion. He kept his skirmishers so close to the enemy's breast- 
 works on Monday and Tuesday as to pick off their artillery horses, men 
 working on their trenches, and any one seen mounted. He drove in 
 their skirmishers on all occasions. I should mention that Major 
 McLauchlin, thirty-eighth North Carolina, was badly wounded, while 
 behaving most gallantly. Adjutant Mclntire, 6ame regiment, is also 
 spoken of for distinguished conduct. In general terms, my officers, 
 with but few exocptions, acted not only well, but remarkably so. 
 
 The following table will show my loss. Six out of ten field officers 
 were killed or sciiously wounded : 
 
 LIST OF CASUALTIES. 
 
 
 Killed. 
 
 Wounded. 
 
 Mim-int;. 
 
 Total. 
 
 COMMAND. 
 
 ■i 
 
 i- 
 
 q 
 
 i 
 
 c 
 
 ^ . 
 
 « ? 
 
 ^E 
 W 
 
 31 
 14 
 98 
 17 
 
 18 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 T5 
 a> • 
 
 V ? 
 ^E 
 W 
 
 m 
 M 
 a> 
 o 
 
 IS 
 
 o 
 
 •a 
 
 ~ a 
 
 -si 
 
 w 
 
 6 
 15 
 14 
 20 
 11 
 
 6« 
 
 8 
 
 m 
 n 
 
 10 
 10 
 4 
 9 
 
 -> 
 « . 
 
 = a 
 
 
 3 
 ■2 
 1 
 2 
 
 n 
 
 7 
 
 7 
 3 
 7 
 
 or, 
 
 167 
 
 122* 
 
 107 
 
 70 
 
 632 
 
 i 
 i 
 
 2 
 
 
 nth N C irolinn reit't 
 
 Twtni y-ferond I? . < !nrolinn re^t't. 
 Thirty-fourth N. Carolina reg't. 
 Thirty-eighth K. Carolina reg't. 
 
 198 
 95 
 
 164 
 
 144 
 99 
 
 
 N 
 
 108 
 
 46 
 
 *710 
 
 I t-bould have stated that Colonel McElroy, with his regiment, the 
 sixteenth North Carolina, after getting within three-rjuartersof a mile 
 of the point where the battle opened Sunday morning, was directed to 
 report to General Stuart, who took him to some point in rear of the 
 enemy, where he attacked a camp and routed them, when he rejoined 
 me, at three o'clock, A. M., only about two hours before the fight 
 opened, having been marching all day and night. 
 I am, sir, very respectfully, 
 
 W. D. PENDER, Brigadier General. 
 
 gr 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL THOMAS. 
 
 Headquarters Thomas' Brigade, > 
 May 19<A, 1863. 5 
 
 Captain R. H Finney, A. A. G. : 
 
 Captain : I have the honor to report that this brigade was ordered 
 by Major General Hill, on the morning of May 2d, to leave its posi- 
 tion near Chancellorsville, on the right of the plank road from Fred- 
 ericksburg to Gordonsville, and move with the division. In accord- 
 ance with which order, we moved with the division a few miles, when 
 a message was received that^the enemy had attacked and were threat- 
 ening to capture the artillery and wagon train of the division, near 
 the foundry. One regiment was at first sent, but the danger being 
 reported to be most imminent, afterwards, the whole brigade, with 
 General Archer's brigade, returned and remained until the train had 
 passed and the demonstrations of the enemy had ceased; when we 
 moved on to overtake the division, which we did about eleven o'clock 
 at night. The brigade was placed in position by General Heth, com- 
 manding division, on the^xtreme left and front, on the left of the 
 plank road leading to rredericksburg, and near Chancellorsville, 
 where we remained until daylight. At an early hour on Sunday 
 morning, the brigade was ordered to advance and attack the enemy. 
 We advanced at once, driving a very heavy force of skirmishers 
 before us. After proceeding about two hundred and fifty yards we 
 found the enemy in strong force in our front, behind breastworks. 
 The brigade charged with promptness and energy, and at the first 
 charge, drove the enemy, utterly routed, from their entrenched posi- 
 tion. Advancing still further, we found a second line of the enemy, 
 which we at once drove from its position. Thi3 brigade and one regi- 
 ment from the brigade on our right, General Pender's, continuing to 
 advance, driving the enemy before us, met another line of the enemy. 
 After a sharp conflict, this line was repulsed. At this point, finding 
 that there were no troops on my left, and none in supporting distance 
 on my right or rear, and the enemy were advancing in very heavy 
 force on my left flank, and making demonstrations on my right, I 
 ordered the brigade to move back, and took position near the line of 
 the enemy's breastworks, where we remained until the whole line 
 advanced. 
 
 When the enemy had been driven back at every point, the brigade, 
 according to orders, rejoned the rest of the division. 
 
 I take pleasure in reporting that Colonel R. W. Folsom, fourteenth 
 Georgia; Lieutenant W. L. Grice, forty-fifth Georgia; Major S. T. 
 Player, forty-ninth Georgia, and Captain John Duke, thirty-fifth 
 Georgia, commanded their respective regiments with marked success. 
 All the officers and men of my command, who were present, acted 
 with the utmost coolness and the most daring courage before the 
 enemy. 
 
55 
 
 I have to regret the loss of several valuable officers. Captain Har- 
 man, fourteenth Georgia, and Captain Shaw, forty-fifth Georgia, were 
 killed, and Lieutenant Colonel Fielder, Captain Hounger, and Lieu- 
 tenant Solomons fell mortally wounded, in a few yards of the enemy's 
 breastworks, gallantly leading their men to the charge. 
 Respectfullv, your obedient servant, 
 
 F ' EDWARD L. THOMAS, 
 
 Brigadier General. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL ARCHER. 
 
 Headquarters Archer's Brigade, ) 
 June 2nd, 1863. > 
 
 Captain R. H. Finney, A. A. G. : 
 
 Cattain : I have the honor to report that, about eleven o'clock, A. 
 M., May 2nd, by order of Major General A. P. Hill, I withdrew my 
 brigade from its advanced position on the "plank roa 1," leaving my 
 pickets out to wait until relieved, and proceeded to follow the other 
 brigades of the division, -which, with the exception of Thomas', had 
 gone to the left, by the Welford furnance road. Thomas' brigade 
 followed in my rear. When I had advanced two miles beyond the 
 furnance, a lieutennant colonel of cavalry rode up and reported that 
 a large body of the enemy had attacked the train in my rear and 
 driven off the troops which had been left to protect it. As the appa- 
 rent exigency of the case allowed no time to communicate with the 
 Major General, I immediately ordered back my own and Thomas* 
 brigade ; but, when I arrived at the furnance, found that the enemy 
 had already been repulsed by Lieutenant Colonel Brown, of the artil- 
 lery, and some infantry, among which, I learned that Captain W. S. 
 Moore, Fourteenth Tennessee regiment, with his company, bore a 
 conspicuous part. I enclose, herewith, Captain Moore's report. 
 Owing to the delay thus occasioned, I did not rejoin the division un- 
 til late at night. During the night I formed on the extreme right of 
 the division, with General McGowan's brigade on my left. The next 
 morning, about sunrise.we moved forward to the attack, through dense 
 pine timber, driving before us the enemy's skirmishers and, at a dis- 
 tance of four hundred yards, emerging into the open field in front of 
 a battery, which was placed on an abrupt hill near a spring-house. 
 We advanced at double quick, and captured four pieces of artillery, 
 and about one hundred prisoners, driving the infantry supports in 
 cenfusion before us. From this position, the enemy could be seen in 
 heavy force in the woods, which commenced about six hundred yards 
 diagonally to the right, and front, and in the high open ground to the 
 fiont. No other troops of our army were, at this time, in sight of 
 us. After a few minutes halt to reform our line, which had become 
 somewhat broken by its rapid advance through the woods, I proceeded 
 to attack the wood, which I have mentioned as lying diagonally to the 
 front and right. My brigade, which was at the beginning only one 
 thousand four hundred strong, and entirely unsupported, attacked 
 with great intrepidity ; but the position was strongly entrenched, and 
 manned by vastly greater numbers, and we were forced to retire from 
 within seventy yards of the entrenchments. We again formed and 
 advanced to the attack, and were again forced to retire. I now moved 
 my brigade to the point where we had captured the batteries, to await 
 the arrival of reinforcements. 
 
 Soon after. Major Pegram came up and occupied the position with 
 
57 
 
 artillery. Colonel Mercer came up on the left with three regiments 
 of Dole's brigade, and General Anderson came up from the rear, on 
 my right, with his division. He soon after moved to the right, leav- 
 ing me in support of the artillery, which had opened a heavy and 
 effective fire upon the enemy, which was hotly returned, although 
 with little effect. In a few minutes, General Leo rode up, and eoon 
 directed me to move forward with my own brigade and the three regi- 
 ments of Doles', which were under command of Colonel Mercer. 
 After advancing four or five hundred yards Colonel Mercer requested 
 a short halt until the ammunition, which had just arrived, could be 
 distributed to his regiments. During this halt I received an order, 
 through one of General Stuart's stuff, not to advance further until I 
 received the order from him, but other troops coming up on Colonel 
 Mercer's left and on my right, I moved slowly forward, and soon 
 came, on ascending the hill in front of Chancellcrsville, in full view 
 and range of the enemy's cannon which opened a heavy fire upon us. 
 About half of my brigade had by this time, in its advance, entered 
 the woods, having swung around slightly to the right for this pur- 
 pose; the left regiment of Doles' brigade, which was to the left of 
 the centre of the enemy's artillery fire, and all that portion of the 
 line on its left ( I do not know what troops they were) moved over by 
 flank to the left. As soon as I observed this movement I rode across 
 the field to bring them back, but when I reached the plank road I 
 found they had crossed it and entered the wood on its left. I then rode 
 back across the field under the fire of the artillery to the point where 
 my brigade had entered the wood. On account of the denseness of 
 the tangled thicket, and the number of men of other brigades, I did 
 not for some time find my own, and feared that it had fallen back, 
 but was gratified to find that all its little regiments had moved promptly 
 forward and driven the enemy from that part of their trenches fur- 
 therest to the left and nearest to Chancellor's house. All firing 
 ceased a short time after I entered the wood. I soon after found the 
 brigade in the open field and joined the division on the plank road. 
 The next day the division fortified its position on the left of the plank 
 road fronting the United States ford. General Pender, in command 
 of the division, being wounded in the evening, the command of the 
 division devolved on me, and that of the brigade, on Colonel Fry for 
 a short time, during which nothing important occurcd except some 
 skirmishing in front. 
 
 My loss in this action was forty-one killed and three hundred and 
 seventeen wounded. Among the former, was Major * v mith, thirteenth 
 Alabama regiment, and Captain Steward, commanding fifth Alabama 
 battalion, and among the latter, Colonel McComb, fourteenth Ten- 
 nessee regimen*, severely. My A. A. G^eral, Captain Archer, and 
 aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Thomas, were present with the biigade 
 throughout the action. 
 
 1 take this occasion to acknowledge the gallant and efficient service 
 of Mr. J. A. Williams, of Maryland, a volunteer aid en my staff. 
 The regiments were commanded as follows : First Tennessee Lieut. 
 Colonel George, thirteenth Alabama Colonel Fry, fourteenth Ten- 
 
58 
 
 nessee Colonel McComb, until wounded, and afterwards by Captain 
 Wilson, seventh Tennessee by Lieutenant Colonel Fite, and fifth 
 Alabama battalion by Captain Stewart. 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 J. J. ARCHER, 
 Brigadier General. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL LANE. 
 
 Headquarters Lane's Brigade, > 
 " Camp Gregg;' May 10, 1S63. J 
 Captain R. H. Finnet, A. A. G. : 
 
 On the morning of the 1st of May, my brigade moved from its po- 
 sition in the fecond line, r.ear Hamilton's Crossing, along the plank 
 road, in the direction of Chancellorsvillc, and that night formed line 
 of battle, with skirmishers thrown forward, to the right of the road, 
 about a mile and a half from the latter place. Next morning, after 
 the artillery fight on our right, it was marched to the plank road above 
 Chancellorsvillc, by the way of Welford's iron forge, and then ordered to 
 move down the road by the flank, while the three lines of battle ad- 
 vanced. After it was ascertained that the enemy were rapidly falling 
 back, it pushed forward with the artillery beyond the third and second 
 lines to within a short distance of the first. Here Gen. A. P. Hill ordered 
 me (at dark) to deploy one regiment as skirmishers across the road, 
 to form line of battle in rear with the rest of the brigade, and to push 
 vigorously forward. In other words, we were ordered to make a night 
 attack, and capture the enemy's batteries in front, if possible. Just 
 then they opened a terrific artillery fire,. which was responded to by 
 our batteries. As soon as this was over, I deployed the thirty-third 
 North Carolina troops forward as skirmishers, and formed line of bat- 
 tle to the rear — the seventh and thirty-seventh to the right, the 
 eighteenth and twenty-eighth to the left — the left of the thirty-seventh 
 and right of the eighteenth resting on the road. I had moved for- 
 ward the eighteenth and twenty-eighth to withing a short distance of 
 pur line of skirmishers, and was about to move the seventh and thirty- 
 Seventh to a corresponding position before ordering the whole line 
 forward, when Lieut. Col. Smith, of a Pennsylvania regiment, entered 
 our lines with a white flag, and wished to know if we were Qmftde- 
 rate or Union troops. Considering this an illegitimate use of the 
 white Aug. as he expressly stated it was not Ms object to surrcntbr, and 
 not wishing to let him return, I sent Lieutenant Lane to General A. P. 
 Hill to know what I should do. Our skirmishers on the right soon after 
 fired upon a few of the enemy who had approached tolerably near, 
 and a few random shots were fired by the seventh and thirty-seventh re- 
 giments, without orders, which appears to have drawn theenemy's ar- 
 tillery and infantry fire. I understand from the official report of the 
 commanding officer of the eighteenth North Carolina troopi, thnt Gen. 
 A. P. Hill, staff and couriers were in the road in advance of them at 
 the time, and to avoid the enemy's fire some of them dashed into the 
 woods, over the eighteenth regiment, which fired into them, mistaking 
 them in the dark for the enemy's cavalry. After this unfortunate mis- 
 take, I received information that a body of troops was moving on our 
 right. I at once sent out Lieut. Eraack and four men to reconnoitre, 
 and they Foon returned with a Pennsylvania regiment, which had 
 thrown down their arms, and surrendered themselves prisoners of 
 war. This regiment was commanded by Lieut. Col. Smith, who had 
 
60 
 
 commenced to remonstrate with me for allowing it to be captured while 
 he was in my lines with a white flag, when the enemy's artillery opened 
 upon us again. I at once sent the regiment to the rear under Captain 
 Yotftag, his company having been detailed as a guard, and turned 
 Lieutenant Colonel Smith over to Captain Adams, signal officer, to 
 be taken to General A. P. Hill. General A. P. Hill being wounded, 
 the night attack was not made as at first contemplated. I withdrew 
 the left wing of the thirty-third, which formed on the right of the 
 seventh, and extended our line still further to the right, with tho 
 eighteenth and twenty- eighth regiments — the .right of the twenty- 
 eighth resting on a road running obliquely to the plank road, with 
 two of its companies broken back to guard against a flank movement. 
 Between twelve and one o'clock that night, the enemy could be heard 
 marshaling their troops along our whole front, while their arrillery 
 was rumbling up the road on our right. Soon after, their artillery 
 opened tight and left, and Sickles' command rushed upon us with loud 
 and prolonged cheering. They were driven back on the left by our 
 skirmishers, but the fight was more stubborn on the right, ivhich was 
 their main point of attrek. The eighteenth and twenty-eighth and left 
 wing of the thirty-third engaged them there, and gallantly drove 
 them back, although they had outflanked us and encountered the two 
 right companies of the twenty-eighth, which had been deflected in 
 anticipation of such a movement. A subsequent attack made about 
 half an hour later, was similarly repulsed. The twenty-eighth cap- 
 tured a staff officer. The colors of the third Maine volunteers were 
 taken by Captain Clarke's company .of the same regiment. The 
 eighteenth also captured an aid to General Williams. A number of 
 field and company officers, and a large number of men were captured 
 along our -whole line. After the enemy were repulsed, General Mc- 
 Gowan was ordered forward with his brigade, and took position on our 
 right. 
 
 On Sunday morning, about sunrise, the whole brigade was wheeled 
 a little to the left, Vhat the line might be perpendicular to the plank 
 road, and then, in obedience to orders, moved gallantly forward with 
 shouts, driving in the enemy's skirmishers, and handsomely charging 
 and carrying their breastworks. The left of the thirty-seventh passed 
 entirely over the works, capturing a number of prisoners; and the 
 gallant old seventh eclipsed all of its former glories. These works were 
 on a hill, commanded by the Chancellorsville hill, which was fortified 
 with a line of earthworks for twenty-eight (28) pieces of artillery, 
 running nearly parallel to our position, and between four hundred and 
 five hundred yards distant, with a stream of water intervening. As 
 soon as we had dislodged their infantry, these guns, with others, opened 
 a murderous fire of shell, grape and canister upon us, a fresh 
 column of their infantry was thrown against us, and with our 
 right flank completely turned, we were forced to fall back, with the 
 loss of about one-third of the command. The twenty-eighth regiment, 
 commanded by its gallant young Colonel, (Lowe.) fell back a few 
 hundred yards, and was ordered to give assistance wherever needed, 
 while I superintended the reforming of the rest of the brigade, still 
 
Gl 
 
 further to the rear. Colonel Lowe informs me that the twenty-eighth 
 behaved well throughout the remainder of the day ; that it made two 
 more charges under heavy artillery firing, and was led in each by 
 Major General Stuart. As soon as the rest of the brigade was re- 
 formed, and replenished with ammunition, they were taken back into 
 the woods, to the left of the plank road, to the support of General 
 Colquitt's command which was then nearly out of ammunition. 
 The woods which we entered were on fire; the heat was excessive; 
 the smoke arising from burning blankets, oil cloths, &c, very offen- 
 sive ; the dead and dyidg of the enemy could be seen on all sides 
 enveloped in llames; 'and the ground on which we formed was s i hot 
 as at first to be disagreeable to our feet. Nothing daunted, however, 
 the men took their positions without a murmur, and notwithatanding 
 their previous hard marching, desperate fighting and sleepless nights, 
 remained u'sder arms again the whole of Sunday night, in the front 
 line, while heavy skirmishing was going on. Never have I seen men 
 fight inure gallantly, and bear fatigue and hardship more cheerfully. 
 I shall always feel proud of the nohle bearing of my brigade in the 
 battle of Chaneell orsville, the bloodiest in which it has ever taken a 
 part — where the thirty-third discharged its duties so well as skirm- 
 ishers and. with the eighteenth and twenty eighth, gallantly repulsed 
 two night attacks made by vastly superior numbers, and where the 
 seventh and thirty-seventh vied with each other as to who should first 
 drive the vandals from their works. Its gallantry has cost it many 
 noble sacrifices, and we are called upon to mourn the loss of some of 
 our bravest spirits. The fearless Perdie wis killed while urging for- 
 ward his men ; the gentle, but gallant, Hill after the works had been 
 taken ; and .Johnnie Young, a mere boy, not yet eighteen, but a brave 
 and efficient captain, fell at the head of his company. Captain Kerr, 
 Lieutenants Campbell, Bolick, Emack, Weaver, Bouchclle, l>abb, 
 C alia is and Ragin all fell in the gallant discharge of their duties, as 
 also did J lioarker Lane, of company E, fifth Virginia cavalry, who 
 at the time was actirg as my volunteer aid. I cannot speak in too 
 high terms of the behavior of the officers of this brigade. Colonel 
 Barbour, though wounded, was from time to time with his command, 
 giving all the assistance he could. Major Morris, wounded in the 
 foot, left the hospital on horseback and assisted in reforming his regi- 
 ment. Major Mayhew, after the left wing of the thirty-third was 
 withdrawn and Lieutenant Colonel Cowan wounded, gallantly 
 commanded the skirmishers in the night attack, was wounded in the 
 charge the n-.xt day, and is now thought to be in the hands of the 
 enemy Lieutenant Cclonel Spear was wounded in one of the night 
 attacks, and Colonels Avery and Haywood, Lieutenant Colon* Is 
 George and Ashcrolt, and Major Davidson in the charge Sunday 
 morning After the loss of bo many field officers, Major Barry and 
 Captains Harris, Saunders, Brown and Nicholson rendered me great 
 assistance Captain Saunders, in bis official report, ca'ls Bp 
 attention to the efficiency of Lieutenants E Price and J. L. Farrow 
 of the thirty -third regiment. Lieutenant Bryan, ordnance officer, 
 and Lieutenant Nicholson, brigade inspector, discharged their duties 
 
62 
 
 well, though the latter had but few " stragglers'' and no " skulkers" 
 to drive forward that 1 have yet heard of. I am specially indebted to 
 my aid-de-camp, Lieutenant 0. Lane,' and to one of my couriers, 
 George E. Barringer, for the great assistance rendered me. They 
 both bore themselves well under the hottest fires. My other courier 
 was a poltroon and has been sent back to his regiment. The brigade 
 loss is twelve commissioned officers killed, fifty-nine wounded, and 
 one missing ; one hundred and forty-nine enlisted men killed, five 
 hundred and sixty-seven wounded, and one hundred and twenty-one 
 missing, making an aggregate of nine hundred and nine. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 JAMES H. LANE, 
 Brigadier General. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL DOLES. 
 
 Headquarters Dolfs' Brigade, Rodes' Division, ) 
 Second Army Corps, May 9, 1863. ) 
 
 Captain Green Petton, A. A. G. : 
 
 Captain : On the morning of the 29th of April this brigade was 
 ordered to match in the direction of Hamilton's Crossing. The com- 
 mand was in motion by eight o'clock, A. M. ; arrived at the crossipg 
 at ten, A. M. ; remained in position, on the crest of the hill at the 
 Hamilton house, until two o'clock, A. M., 30th ; then moved in posi- 
 tion, left of brigade resting on railroad, connecting with right of Gen. 
 Iverson's brigade, and connecting the right with left of 1 General Col- 
 quitt's brigade; remained in this position during the day and night. 
 At two o'clock, on the morning of May 1st, marched towards Orange 
 Court-House plank road. About one o'clock, P. M. f formed line of 
 battle on the plank road, about two miles from Todd's tavern ; threw 
 out skirmishers, driving back those of the enemy, and took six pris- 
 oners. About six. P. M., same day, moved up the dirt road, on© 
 mile beyond Todd's tavern, and bivouacked for tho night. About 
 six o'clock, A. M., May 2nd, moved up the dirt road about half a 
 mile, filed off to the left on the furnace road, arriving at Germana 
 road about three and a half o'clock, P. M., and formed line«of battle, 
 left of brigade resting on said road. Brigade formed as follows : 
 fourth, forty-fourth, twenty-first and twelfth Georgia ; the fourth 
 Georgia resting on road, skirmishers thrown forward about four hun- 
 dred yards in advance. At five o'clock, P. M., the order was given 
 to advance against the enemy. The brigade moved as rapidly as 
 possible through a very dflck wood, and skirmishers were imme- 
 diately engaged by those of tho euemy. Our forces, marching 
 rapidly forward, assisted in driving in the enemy's sharpshooters, 
 when we were subjected to a very heavy musket fire, and grape, 
 canister and shell. The command was ordered to attack the enemy 
 in his entrenched position, drive him from it, and take his batteries. 
 The order was promptly obeyed ; the fourth and forty-fourth Georgia 
 assaulted his position in front; the twenty-first Georgia was ordered 
 to move towards the left and flank him, so as to enfilade his entrench- 
 ments ; the twelfth Georgia was ordered forward, and to the right, to 
 attack a force of the enemy on the right. After a resistance of 
 about ten minutes, we drove him from his positions on the left and 
 carried his battery of two guns, caissons and horses. The movement 
 of the twelfth Georgia on the right was successful. The order to 
 forward was given, when the command moved forward at the " double 
 quick" to assault the enemy, who had taken up a strong position on 
 the crest of a hill, in the open field. He was soon driven from this 
 position, .the command pursuing him. He made a stubborn resist- 
 ance from behind a wattling fence, on a hill covered thickly with 
 pine. The whole command moved gallantly against this position, tho 
 
64 
 
 fourth and forty-fourth Georgia in front, and the twenty-firsthand 
 twelfth on his left flank and rear. Here we captured one gun, a 
 rifled pi ;ce.) We pursued his retreating forces about three hundred 
 yards over an open field, receiving a very severe fire from musketry 
 and a battery of four pieces on the crest of the hill that commande 
 the field below ; his infantry was in large force and w< 11 protected by 
 rifle pits and entrenchments. The command was ordered to " take " 
 the entrenchments and the battery, which was done after a resistance 
 of about twenty minutes. The enemy fled in utter confusion, leaving 
 his battery of four pieces, his wounded and many prisoners. The 
 twelfth Georgia, and the larger portion of the other regiments, was 
 formed in good order and pursued him through the pine forest, 
 moving some five hundred yards to the front and holding that position 
 until after dark. While in this advanced pos tion the enemy aban- 
 doned one gun. Fresh troops having been placed in that position, 
 after dark I ordered the command to retire to the edge of the woo 13 
 for the purpose of replenishing ammunition, the men being entirely 
 out, and it being impossible to get ammunition to them. After 
 replenishing with ammunition, we were ordered to bivouac on the 
 field for the night. Daring this engagement, which lasted from about 
 five and a half to nine o'clock, P. M., the command captured eight 
 pieces of artillery and many prisoners. The pieces of artillery were 
 ordered to be carried to the rear, and turned over to the first artillery 
 or ordnance officer found. In this engagement we lost many gallant 
 men killed and wounded. Among the killed were Captain R. M. 
 Bisel, company K, fourth Georgia ; Captain G. G. Green, company 
 F ; Captain H. M. Creidle and Lieutenant A. M. Burnside, acting 
 adjutant, of the forty fourth Georgia, and Captain U. C. Allen, 
 twenty-first Georgia, who fell while gallantly and noblj leading their 
 commands Colonel Philip Cook, fourth Georgia, severely, and 
 Captain A. C. Watkins, company A, t«nty-first Georgia, mortally 
 wounded while leading their commands in a charge against the 
 enemy. Sunday morning, May 3rd, at six o'clock, the command was 
 ordered forward, as follows : forty-fourth, twenty-first, twelfth, 
 fourth, the left of the forty-fourth connecting with the right of Gen- 
 eral Ramseur's brigade. The march to the front was through a very 
 dense pine and swamp. During the march the left of the brigade 
 lost its connection with the right of General Ramseur and moved off 
 by the " right flank," passing in rear of the regiments to its right, 
 whilst four companies of the twenty-first Georgia and the twelfth 
 Georgia, with portions of the forty-fourth and fourth, moved to the 
 front. The right portion of the brigade was ordered by General 
 Stuart to support a battery to its right, while the left moved forward, 
 assaulting the enemy and assisting in driving him from his position 
 from behind a strong work of logs. He was dislodged, after a very 
 stubborn resistance, by a charge. This portion of the command kept 
 up the pursuit, driving him through the woods, back on his batteries 
 on the heights near Chancellorsville. While moving to assault him, 
 in his position on the hill, I discovered the enemy in large force to 
 my right. Colonel Willis, commanding twelfth Georgia, was ordered 
 
65 
 
 to wheel his regiment to the right and engage him, the other compa- 
 nies coming up promptly to Colonel Willis' support. The enemy, 
 after the first fire, fled. A large number threw down their arms and 
 surrendered; they were ordered to the rear. Being protected by the 
 crest of a hill to the left of the enemy's batteries, we moved by the 
 flank, getting in his rear, when he abandoned seven pieces of artillery 
 on the field and fled. We were attacked in our rear by his infantry 
 force from the woods ; we faced to the rear, charged the wood, and 
 after a few minutes resistance, he withdrew. After he withdrew, his 
 batteries at the Chancellorsville house opened a very destructive fire 
 on us with grape, canister and shrapnel. We were in about four 
 hundred yards of his batteries. We did not have force enough to 
 carry his position, and seeing no support on the field, aad the enemy 
 moving a large infantry force to our right, we withdrew to the woods 
 where we first engaged him. That portion of the brigade ordered to 
 3upport our battery was under command of Colonel J. T. Mercer, 
 twenty-first Georgia ; they were afterwards ordered forward, and to> 
 conform to the movements of General Archer's brigade. After ad- 
 vancing to the W)ods, from which we were forced to retire, they were 
 also forced to retire. The brigade was reformed and, by order from 
 General Lee, ordered to the spring to our right, to act as provost 
 guard over a large number of prisoners collected there. We re- 
 mained there two or three hours, and sent prisoners to the rear under 
 Lieutenant R. V. Jones, brigade inspector. We then joined the 
 division on the Germana road at Chancellorsville, and remained in 
 position in the road that night. On Monday, the 4th, we were 
 ordered to move to the opposite side of the road and connect my left 
 with the right of General Pender. On Tuesday, the 5th, the skirm- 
 ishers were ordered to press forward and feel the enemy, and ascertain^ 
 his position and strength. They found him in strong numbers and 
 well entrenched. On Wednesday, the 6th, at daylight, skirmishers- 
 were again ordered to feel the enemy. They moved to the front and 
 found he had evacuated his position and withdrawn his forces across 
 the river. About two o'clock, P. M., we were ordered to march back 
 to our old encampment. In closing this report, I cannot speak in 
 terms too high of Colonel Cook and Lieutenant Winn, of the fourth 
 Georgia; Colonel Willis and Major Hardeman, of the twelfth Geor- 
 gia; Lieutenant Colonel Lumpkin, forty-fourth Georgia; Cofoneh 
 Mercer and Major Glover, twenty-first Georgia. To their promptness 
 and gallantry, and the able manner in which they were sustained by 
 the officers and men of their commands, all of whom did their whole 
 duty, I acknowledge my indebtedness. Attention is respectfully 
 called to their reports, which you will find enclosed. • To my staff, 
 Captain Snead, assistant adjutant general ; Lieutenant Hawkins, aid- 
 de-camp; Lieutenant Jones, brigade inspector; Sergeant Furlow and 
 privates Cheeves and Ormsby, couriers, I am under many obligations 
 for assistance given me. I respectfully commend them for " gal- 
 lantry and meritorious conduct." This brigade went into action 
 with one hundred and twenty-six officers and one thousand four hun- 
 dred and sixty-eight enlisted men. 
 5 
 
66 
 
 CASUALTIES IN BRIGADE. 
 
 
 Killed. 
 
 "Wounded. 
 
 Missing. 
 
 * 
 o 
 
 REGIMENTS. 
 
 Officers. 
 
 -a 
 o . 
 
 — » 
 
 ■ss 
 
 o 
 o 
 
 O 
 
 o . 
 
 ■as 
 
 m 
 
 fa 
 ® 
 o 
 
 i 
 
 o 
 
 a> . 
 
 . i e 
 
 H 
 
 5 3 
 
 be aa 
 
 n 
 
 <5 
 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 28 
 
 11 
 
 15 
 
 8 
 
 12 
 4 
 
 8 
 7 
 
 103 
 
 64 
 56 
 99 
 
 
 11 
 2 
 
 10 
 5 
 
 155 
 
 72 
 
 
 89 
 
 
 121 
 
 
 4 
 
 62 
 
 31 
 
 312 
 
 
 28 
 
 437 
 
 I am, Captain, most respectfully yours, 
 
 GEO. DOLES, Brigadier General. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL COLQUITT. 
 
 Heyoquarters Colquitt's Brigade, ) 
 Near Fredericksburg, May 15, 1863. ) 
 
 Captain Peyton : 
 
 Herewith I submit a report of the part taken by my brigade in the 
 recent engagement at Chancellorsville, and the affairs connected 
 with it. 
 
 On the morning of April 20th, intelligence being received that a 
 portion of the Federal army had succeeded in crossing the river near 
 Fredericksburg, my brigade was put under arms and marched to 
 Hamilton's Crossing. Under cover of a fail), protected from the 
 enemy's artillery, we lay during the day, and at three o'clock, next 
 morning, took position upon a line of temporary en!-renchments in 
 front of the enemy. At intervals, during the day, a fire of aitillery 
 opened upon us, but without effect. 
 
 At dawn, on the morning of May 1st, we took up the line of march, 
 and after proceeding six or seven miles above Fredericksburg, came 
 upon a portion of our forces who had been engaging the enemy. Dis- 
 charges of artillery and musketry were still heard. The division 
 being formed in line of battle, my position was upon the right. In 
 this order we advanced a few hundred yards, when my command was 
 thrown into some confusion by coming in contact with the troops of 
 General McLaw's command, formed perpendicular to my own line. 
 The line being rectified, we began again to advance, when instructions 
 were received that we should halt and await future orders. The 
 skirmishers, moving in advance, picked up fifteen or twenty prisoners. 
 At sundown, we were withdrawn to the plank road and continued the 
 march for two or three miles, when we bivouacked for the night. 
 Early the next morning we were again put in motion, my brigade in 
 front, and, turning to the left from the plank road, leading from 
 Fredericksburg to .Orange Court-llouse, it was obvious that we were 
 aiming for the flank and rear of the enemy. 
 
 On reaching the furnace, a mile distant from the point of diver • 
 gence, I detached, by order of General Jackson, a regiment, (the 
 twenty-third Georgia, Colonel Best.) with instructions to guard the 
 flank of the column in motion against a surprise, and to call, if ne- 
 cessary, upon any officer whose command was passing, for reninforce- 
 ments. For the subsequent action and fate of this regiment, I refer 
 to the accompanping report of Colonel Best. 
 
 After a continuous march of six miles, we again reached the plank 
 ro*d, which we had left. My brigade was placed in ambush along 
 the line of the road, with the expectation that some demonstration 
 would be made by the enemy's cavalry. In the meantime, the division 
 filed past, and I closed in upon the rear. At four o'clock, we reached 
 
 the road running through Chancellorsville to . Here we 
 
 formed line of battle, my brigade upon the right, and uniting with 
 
68 
 
 Doles, upon the left. In this order we advanced for a few hundred 
 yards, when intelligence was communicated to me by the skirmishers, 
 that a body of the enemy was upon my right flank. I ordered a halt, 
 and called back the sixth Georgia, which had continued to advance. 
 The regiment upon the right, the nineteenth Georgia, was quickly 
 thrown into position to meet any demonstration upon the flank, and 
 ordered to advance about one hundred yards to the summit of a hill. 
 The enemy's force proved to be a small body of cavalry, which gal- 
 loped away as soon as the regiment advancing toward them was dis- 
 ccvered, and a picket of infantry, which was captured by my skir- 
 mishers. 
 
 All apprehension in this quarter being allayed, we advanced again 
 to the front, to renew connection with the line that had proceeded us. 
 As we emerged from the woods into an open field, I discovered Doles' 
 brigade hotly engaged with the enemy at his first works With a 
 shout, and at a double quick, we moved to his support ; but, before we 
 reached musket range, the enemy broke in confusion and fled. I 
 halted in the open field, and brought up two of my regiments which 
 had been delayed in crossing a creek, and in climbing its steep banks. 
 It was near dark, and too late for further action. At ten o'clock, I 
 relieved the brigade of General McGowan, watching a road leading to 
 one of the enemy's main positions, and detailed the sixth Georgia 
 regiment to support a battery in front. During the night, the alarm 
 being given, my whole command was moved to the support of the 
 battery, and was subjected, at intervals, to a fierce artillery firo 
 from the enemy. 
 
 Early the ensuing morning I took my position in line of battle on 
 the extreme right, and, in pursuance of orders, was advancing upon 
 the enemy's position, when I received orders to move to the support 
 of General Archer, a guide being furnished to direct me to him. I 
 had proceeded but a short distance, when I was ordered to repair, in 
 haste, to the extreme left of our line, where the enemy threatened to 
 turn our flank. I had scarcely reuched the new position, when I was 
 again ordered to the right, and thence again to the left. While our 
 forces were occupied in the assault on Chancellorsville, the enemy 
 sought to assail them in flank, and made desperate efforts to regain 
 possession of the turnpike. It was to defeat this object that my 
 brigade was thrown to the left. Forming line of battle parallel to the 
 road, I advanced, in face of a severe fire, to a line of breastworks 
 from which the enemy had been driven. Here I found the third Ala- 
 bama, of Rodes' brigade, and some Louisiana and South Carolina 
 regiments stubbornly resisting his advance. They had well nigh ex- 
 hausted their ammunition. Upon my arrival they withdrew, pro- 
 ducing some confusion in rushing through my ranks. It was mo- 
 mentary, however. Advancing beyond the breastworks, we opened 
 a furious and well directed fire upon the enemy. The contest was 
 sharp and fierce for a few moments. I ordered a charge, which was 
 responded to with a shout, at a double-quick. The enemy broke 
 and fled in confusion, throwing away arms, accoutrements and every 
 incumberance. We continued the pursuit for half a mile, killing and 
 
69 
 
 capturing many, and driving the fugitives into their fortifications in 
 rear of Chancellorsville. Coming to a halt, we lay under cover of 
 woods within four hundred yards of their works, for four or five 
 hours. Some demonstrations being made upon my left, the brigade 
 of General Lane was sent to my support. Previously, the fiftieth 
 Virginia, Captain Matthews, and ft detachment of a South Carolina 
 regiment, under Major Gordon, had joined me as reinforcements. 
 The enemy did not show himself again outside of his works. At 
 four o'clock, I was relieved by the direction of Major General A. P. 
 Hill, under the command of General Pender. We took position soon 
 after in the trenches about Chancellorsville, where we lay until or- 
 dered back to our camp, near Grace church. 
 
 Colonels Zachery, Graybill and Hutch ins, led their regiments with 
 spirit and energy. Captain Grattan, assistant adjutant general, and 
 Lieutenant Randle, aid -d( -camp, were indefatigable in their efforts, 
 and conspicuously bold in the discharge of their duties. Mr. H. H. 
 Colquitt, acting upon my staff, bore himself with spirit and coolness. 
 
 Especial credit is due Captain William M. Arnold, sixth Georgia 
 regiment, who commanded the battallion of skirmishers. His energy, 
 zeal and gallantry, won my admiration. 
 
 A. II. COLQUITT, 
 Brigadier General. 
 
 The names of the following officers and men are mentioned by their 
 regimental commanders as deserving special notice for meritorious 
 conduct : 
 
 Company A, sixth Georgia regiment. — Coporals R. W. Clarke, Win. 
 Chappell ; private W. G. Howell. 
 
 Company D, twenty-seventh Georgia regiment. — Lieutenant G. W. 
 Latham, commanding. 
 
 Company F, twenty- seventh Georgia regiment.— Lieutenant W. Y. 
 Edwards, commanding ; Sergeant James Shirah. 
 
 Company C, twenty-seventh Georgia regiment. — Sergeant W. A. 
 Webb; corporals S. C. Tentrell, C. M. Newbury; privates H. New- 
 berry, M. Merritt, J. Murchison, J. Haskins, J. Wo: sham, W. G. 
 Clary and Simon Johnston. 
 
 Company E, twenty -seventh Georgia regiment. — Privates A. L. Dodd, 
 John J. Buffington, G. M. Dodd, James Lartcr, Thomas J. Horton 
 and A. J. Whitaker. 
 
 Company G, twenty -stventh Georgia regiment. — Privates T. J. Reavis 
 and J. C. Curtis. 
 
 Company H, twenty-seventh Georgia regiment. — Sergeants J. B. 
 Bryant and T. J. Duke ; coporal B. P. Pryor ; privates B. F. Nor- 
 ris, G. W. Rape, J. M. Lindsay and John II. Lewis. 
 
 Company K, twenty -seventh Georgia regiment. — Private William Con- 
 nell. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL IYERSON. 
 
 Headquarters Iverson's Brigade, 
 May \3th, IS63. 
 Captain G. Peyton, A. A. G. : 
 
 Having rested on our arms on the extreme left of the third line of 
 battle, composed of the troops of Rodes' division, during the night of 
 May 2d. about six o'clock A. M. of May 3d, we advanced with the 
 whole line, one brigade of which (Rodes') intervened between mine 
 and the plank road. 
 
 My command was formed in the following order, from right to left: 
 Twenty-third North Carolina, twentieth North Carolina, twelfth North 
 Carolina, and fifth North Carolina. 
 
 The direction was Chancellorsville, moving to the left of and par- 
 allel to Germana road. Advancing through the almost impenetrable 
 undei growth, subjected to the incessant artillery fire of the enemy, it 
 was impossible to see any portion of the brigade over fifty yards. In 
 consequence of the difficulty of proceeding, I soon received informa- 
 tion from Lieutenant Colonel Lea, commanding the fifth North Caro- 
 lina, that his regiment was disconnected from the brigade. Fearing 
 that he might get lost, and fall into the hands of the enemy, I sent 
 him word to move by the right flank, and then close up. This ma- 
 noeuvre threw him in rear of tbe line, leaving the twelfth North Caro- 
 lina on the left flank. Upon reaching the first barricades of the 
 enemy, which had been carried by the first line of our troops, a heavy 
 fire of artillery opened on my left, raking the whole line, and the 
 skirmishers of the enemy fired on my left flank. I ordered Lieuten- 
 ant Colonel Johnston, commanding twelfth North Carolina, to deploy 
 skirmishers to protect his flank, and to press on. At the barricades, 
 I met Generjil Rodes, and informed him that the enemy wore threat- 
 ening my flank. My brigade pressed .on, and found the troops of the 
 first lines retiring before the heavy force of the enemy, and we became 
 the first line, engaging the enemy in front, who gradually retired be- 
 fore us ; but at this time they were advancing in heavy force on my 
 left flank. I dispatched a messenger to General Stuart with this in- 
 formation,~and asked him for reinforcements. Before any could have 
 arrived, they closed with us, forcing the twelfth and twentieth North 
 Carolina to retire to the barricades. Colonel D. II. Christie, with 
 five companies of his regiment, had charged that part of the enemy's bat- 
 tery resting on the plank road, captured it by an enfilading fire, 
 and caused the abandonment of their guns, when, finding that he 
 was outflanked from the left, was forced to retire after a desperate 
 fight* losing many men killed, wounded and prisoners. It is supposed 
 that Major Blackwell, of the twenty- third North Carolina, was cap- 
 tured here. Lieutenant Colonel Lea, with the fifth North Carolina, 
 had come up in the meantime, but had not been engaged ; he reported 
 his regiment to me in the centre of ray brigade, and was ordered to 
 sustain two regiments of Rodes' brigade, in an advanced position, but 
 
71 
 
 finding the whole falling back, he also retired to the breastworks. 
 Finding the danger from the forcing of our left flank imminent, and 
 the enemy still pressing on, I was forced to give my whole attention 
 to that point, and, in conjunction with General Thomas, formed a por- 
 tion of a Louisiana brigade, with two regiments of Rodes' brigade, 
 I think the sixth and twelfth Alabatna, to meet the attack of the en- 
 emy from the left. At the same time having learned that the troop? 
 with General Lee had drivea the enemy, and effected a junction with 
 the right of our corps, I announced the fact to my brigade, and again 
 advanced them to the front. They had gono but a short distance 
 when the troops I had formed on the left became engaged with the 
 advancing line of the enemy. I then communicated with Colonel S. 
 B. Pickens, commanding twelfth Alabama, whose gallantry on this oc- 
 casion I cannot too highly commend, so completely and courageously 
 did he lend himself to aid me in preparing the line to resist an attack, 
 and ordered him to hold the enemy in check till I could procure rein- 
 forcements. The incessant stream of balls showed that the enemy 
 were in force, and I found that the advance of my brigade was con- 
 tinually checked by the enemy on the left, enfilading the line. Leav- 
 ing the troops I had placed in position, I went out to the plank road 
 for assistance, and observing troops in line on the right of the road, 
 I sent Captain J. F. Ilalscy to them for aid. He communicated with 
 General Colston, who promptly moved a portion of his command in 
 the required direction. I saw General Stuart, and informed him of 
 the situation, and he immediately forwarded the brigade of General 
 Colquitt to support the left. Returning to watch the effect of the 
 reinforcements, I received a contusion in the groin from a spent ball, 
 which made walking very painful, and as the battle ceased shortly 
 after, I requested Colonel Christie to take the command of the brig- 
 ade till I could procure my horse. Upon joining the brigade in front, 
 I received orders from General Rodes to move up the plank road, and 
 take position with my right resting on the brick house at Chancellors- 
 ville, where we fortified our position, by the use of bayonets and 
 fingers, and remained subjected on several occasions to the shells 
 and canister of the enemy, until Wednesday evening, May 6th, when 
 ordered to return to camp. 
 
 On Wednesday morning, the enemy having retired, skirmishers 
 were pressed forward to the river, capturing many prisoners. When 
 a whole command behaved so well as mine did, I shall be obliged to 
 confine myself, with one exception, to the commendation of officers 
 commanding regiments, leaving it to them to name individuals distin- 
 guished for conduct. The exception is, Lieutenant Malone, of the 
 fifth North Carolina, upon whom I depended for correct information 
 from the line of skirmishers. He was nearly always in front, and, on 
 Wednesday morning, when informed of my wish to find out th«osi- 
 tion of the enemy, crept forward, alone, into their entrenchment and 
 brought me in news of the evacuation. 
 
 Colonel D. II. Christie, for the gallant manner in which he fought 
 his regiment at the breastworks of the enemy, deserves promotion, 
 and I here take occasion to recommend him for the same. 
 
72 
 
 Colonel T. F. Toon, twentieth North Carolina, was wounded while 
 fighting his regiment gallantly in the front line. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel R. D. Johnston, of thetwenty-third North Car- 
 olina, to whom I had given command of the twelfth North Carolina, 
 cannot be too highly praised for the distinguished courage with which 
 he commanded, under trying circ»mstances. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Lea, up to the time of his wound, bore himself, 
 and commanded his regiment with determined bravery. 
 
 My thanks are due Captain D. P. Halsey, A. A. G.,for his prompt- 
 ness and readiness in carrying my orders to any part of the field, and 
 the thanks of the country are due the whole command, officers and 
 men, for their unexceptionable conduct. 
 
 Lists of casualties are enclosed with regimental reports. 
 I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 ALFRED IVERSON, Brigadier General. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL RAMSEUR. 
 
 Headquarters Ramseur's Brigade, ) 
 
 Camp near Hamilton's Crossing, May 23d 1863. ) 
 
 Major G. Peyton, A. A. General : 
 
 In obedience to general orders, No. , dated May 7th, 1S63, I 
 
 have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of 
 my brigade, in the series of skirmishes and battles, opening at Mas- 
 saponax Creek, and ending in the splendid victory at Chancellors- 
 ville . 
 
 Wednesday, A. M., April 29th. — The brigade was placed below 
 Massaponax Creek to dispute the enemy's crossing, and remained in 
 that position, occasionally annoyed by their artillery, (by which I 
 lost a few men,) and kept on the alert by picket firing till Thursday 
 evening, when we were withdrawn to a point near Hamilton's Cross- 
 ing. « 
 
 Friday, May 1st. — At three o'clock, A. M., we were aroused for 
 the march and led the advance of Major General Rodes' division in 
 the direction of Chancellorsville. At a distance of seven miles from 
 Fredericksburg, we were detached from our own division and ordered 
 to report to Major General Anderson, when we advanced upon the 
 enemy, who fell back in confusion before our sharpshooters for sev- 
 eral miles strewing the way with their arms and baggage. This brig- 
 ade, with General Posey on our right and General Wright on our 
 left, for upwards, perhaps, of two miles, being in advance. About 
 six o'clock, P. M., we found the foe in force upon our front and sup- 
 ported by batteries that poured grape unsparingly into the woods 
 through which we were still advancing. Night approachin g, a halt 
 was ordered, and we slept on our arms, with a strong picket line on 
 the outposts. 
 
 Saturday, May 2d. — We were relieved about sunrise, and shortly 
 thereafter marched by a series of circuitous routes and with surpass- 
 ing strategy, to a position in the rear of the enemy, whom, at about 
 five o'clock, P. M., we were ordered to attack. This brigade was 
 directed to support Brigadier General Colquitt, with orders to over- 
 lap his right by one regimont, and was placed accordingly. At the 
 command, we advanced with the division, preserving a distance of 
 about one hundred yards in rear of General Colquitt. Brisk firing 
 was soon heard upon our front and left, indicating that General Doles 
 had encountered the foe. At this point General Colquitt moved by 
 the right flank, sending me word by an officer of his staff that the 
 enemy was attempting to turn his right. I immediately moved hj the 
 right flank, but heard no firing in that quarter. Again he sent his 
 staff officer to inform me that the enemy was pushing his right flank, 
 when I directed him to say to General Colquitt, in effect, that the 
 firing indicated a sharp fight with General Doles, and that my impres- 
 sion was, that his support was needed there, and that I would take 
 
74 
 
 care of his right flank. General C. moved to the front with the 
 exception of one regiment, which continued to the right. I then 
 pressed on by the right flank to meet the enemy that General Col- 
 quitt's staff officer twice reported to me to be in that direction, and 
 prosecuted the search for half a mile, perhaps, but not a solitary Yan- 
 kee was to be seen / I then came up to the division line and moved by 
 the left flank to the support of General Colquitt, whose men were 
 resting in line of battli on the field General Boles had won ! On Satur- 
 day night our division occupied the last line of battle, within the 
 entrenchments, from which the routed corps of Seigel had fled in ter- 
 ror. My brigade was placed perpendicular to the plank road, the 
 left resting on the road, General Doles on my right, and Col. O'Neal, 
 commanding Rodes' brigade, on my left. I placed Colonel Parker's 
 thirtieth North Carolina on the right of my brigade ; Colonel Ben- 
 nett, fourteenth North Carolina, on right centre; Colonel Cox, sec- 
 ond North Carolina, left centre, and Colonel Grimes, fourth North 
 Carolina, on left. 
 
 Sunday, May 3d. — The division being, as stated, in the third line 
 of battle, advanced about nine o'clock to the support of the second 
 line. After proceeding about a quarter of a mile, I was applied to 
 by Major Pegram for a support to his battery, when I detached Colo- 
 nel Parker, thirtieth North Carolina, for this purpose, with orders to 
 advance obliquely to his front and left, and rejoin me after his sup- 
 port should be no longer needed, or to fight his regiment as circum- 
 stances might require. I continued to advance to the first line of 
 breastworks, from which the enemy had been driven, and behind 
 which I found a small portion of Paxton's brigade, and Jones' brig- 
 ade, of Trimble's division. Knowing that a general advance had 
 been ordered, I told these troops to move forward. Not a man moved. 
 I then reported this state of things to Major General Stuart, who 
 directed me to assume command of these troops, and compel them to 
 advance. This I essayed to do ; and after fruitless efforts, ascertain- 
 ing that General Jones was not on the field, and that Colonel Garnett 
 had been killed, I reported again to General Stuart, who was near, 
 and requested permission to run over these troops in my front — which 
 was cheerfully granted. At the command "forward," my brigade 
 with a shout, cleared the breastworks, and charged the enemy. The 
 fourth North Carolina, (Colonel Grimes,) and seven companies of 
 the second North Carolina, (Colonel Cox) drove the enemy before 
 them until they had taken the last line of his works, which they held 
 under a severe direct and enfilading fire, repulsing several assaults 
 on this portion of our front. The fourteenth North Carolina, (Colo- 
 nel Bennett,) and three companies of the second were compelled to 
 halt some hundred and fifty or two hundred yards in rear of the 
 troops just mentioned, for the reason that the troops on my right had 
 failed to come up, and the enemy was in heavy force on my right flank. 
 Had Colonel Bennett advanced, the enemy could easily have turned 
 my right. As it was, my line was subject to a horrible enfilade fire, 
 by which I lost severely. I saw the danger threatening my right, 
 and sent several times to Jones' brigade to come to my assistance, and 
 
75 
 
 I also went back twice myself, and exhorted and ordered it — offi- 
 cers and men — to fill up the gap (some five hundred or six hundred 
 yards) on my right — but all in vain. I then reported to General 
 Rodes that unless support wag sent to drive the enemy from my right, 
 I would have to fall back. In the meantime, Colonel Parker, of the 
 thirtieth, approaching my position from the battery on the right, sud- 
 denly fell upon the flank, and handsomely repulsed a heavy column of 
 the enemy, who' were moving to get in my rear by my right flank — 
 some three or four hundred of them surrendering to him as prisoners 
 of war. The enemy still held his strong position in the ravine on my 
 right, so that the fourteenth and the three companies of the second 
 could not advance. The enemy discovered this situation of affairs, 
 and pushed a brigade to the right and rear of Colonel Grimes, and 
 seven companies of Colonel Cox's second, with the intention of cap- 
 taring their commands. This advance was made under a terrible 
 direct fire of musketry and artillery. The move necessitated a retro- 
 grade movement on the part of Colonels Grimes and Cox, which was 
 executed in order, but with the loss of some prisoners, who did not 
 hear the command to retire. Colonel Bennett held his position until 
 ordered to fall back, and, in common with all the others, to replenish 
 his empty cartridge boxes. The enemy did not halt at this position, 
 but retired to his battery, from which ho was quickly driven, Colonel 
 Parker, of the thirtieth, sweeping over it with my troops on my right. 
 After replenishing cartridge boxes, I received an order from Maj. Gen. 
 Bodes to throw my brigade on the left of the road to meet an appre- 
 hended attack of the enemy in that quarter. This was done, and 
 afterwards I was moved to a position on the plank road, which was 
 entrenched, and which we Occupied until the division was ordered back 
 to camp near Hamilton's Crossing. The charge of the b/ijade, 
 made at a critical moment, when the enemy had broken, and 
 was hotly pressing the centre of th 3 line in our front, with appa- 
 rently overwhelming numbers, not only checked his advance, but 
 threw him back in disorder, and pushed him with heavy loss from his 
 last line of works. 
 
 Too high praise cannot be accredited to the officers and men for their 
 gallantry, fortitude, and manly courage during this brief, but arduous 
 campaign. Exposed as they had been for five days immediately pre- 
 ceding the fights, on the picket line, they were, of course, somewhat 
 wearied, but the order to move forward and confront the enemy 
 brightened every eye and quickened every % step. Under fire all through 
 Wednesday, Wednesday night, and Thursday, without being able 
 effectually to return this fire, they bore all bravely, and led the 
 march towards Chancellorsville on Friday morning in splendid order. 
 The advance of the brigade on Friday afternoon was made under the 
 very eyes of our departed hero, Jackson, and of Major (-cneral A. 
 P. Hill, whose words of praise and commendation, bestowed upon the 
 field, we fondly cherish, and on Sunday the magnificent charge of the 
 brigade upon the enemy's last and most terrible stronghold was made 
 in view of Major General Stuart, and our division commander, Major 
 General K. E. Rodes, whose testimony, that it was the most glorious 
 
76 
 
 charge of that most glorious day, we are proud to remember, and to 
 report to our kindred and friends. 
 
 To enumerate all the officers and men who deserve special mention 
 for their gallantry, would be to return a list of all who were on the 
 field. All met the enemy with unflinching courage ; and for the pri- 
 vations, hardships, and splendid marches, all of which were cheer- 
 fully borne, they richly deserve the thanks of our beautiful and 
 glorious Confederacy. 
 
 I cannot close without mentioning the conspicuous gallantry and 
 great efficiency of my regimental commanders. Colonel Parker, of 
 the thirtieth, who was detached during the fight of Sunday to 
 support a battery, and having accomplished that object, moved for- 
 ward on his own responsibility, and greatly contributed to wrest the 
 enemy's stronghold at Chancellorsville from their grasp, as well as 
 prevent their threatened demonstrations upon the right of my brigade. 
 The gallant Grimes, of the fourth, whose conduct on other fields gave 
 promise of what was fully realized on this. Colonel Bennett, of the 
 fourteenth, conspicuous for his coolness under the hottest fire ; and 
 last, though not least, the manly and chivalrous Cox, of the second, 
 the accomplished gentleman, splendid soldier, and warm friend, who, 
 though wounded five times, remained with his regiment until 
 exhausted. In common with the entire command, I regret his tem- 
 porary absence from the field, where he loved to be. Major Hart, 
 second North Carolina troops, commanded the skirmishers faithfully 
 and well. To the field and company officers, one and all, my thanks 
 are due for the zeal and bravery displayed under the most trying cir- 
 cumstances. To the gentlemen of my staff, I owe especial thanks for 
 services rendered on the march and upon the field. Captain Seaton 
 Gales, Assistant Adjutant General, and Lieutenant Richmond, aid-de- 
 camp, were with me all the time, promptly carrying orders, under the 
 very hottest fire. I take pleasure, too, in speaking of the bearing of 
 private James Stinson, courier, a youth of twenty, who displayed 
 qualities a veteran might boast of, and of the conduct of private J. 
 F. Beggarly, also a courier to headquarters. To Dr. Briggs, senior 
 surgeon of the brigade, my thanks are due for his skill, zeal, and 
 care of the wounded. 
 
 I am, sir, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 S. D. RAMSEUR, 
 . Brigadier General commanding. 
 
RErORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL BARKSDALE, 
 
 Fredf.ricrsburg, May 15, 1863. 
 
 Major W. H. Tailor, 
 
 A. A. G., Army Northern Virginia : 
 
 Major : When General McLaws moved up the river, on the night 
 of the 30th of April, I was temporarily detached from my command, 
 and ordered to report to General Early. My brigade was then at 
 Marye's hill, with the exception of twelve companies, which were pro- 
 tecting the river from Taylor's hill to the Ferneyhough house. By 
 General Early's order. I, with the thirteenth and seventeenth regi- 
 ments relieved the pickets of Generals Kershaw and Wofford, above 
 the railroad. The brigade was then extended over a picket line of not 
 less than five miles. On Saturday, appearances indicated that the 
 enemy were leaving their encampments on this side of the river, and 
 were marching to reinforce Hooker. By General Early's order, the 
 twenty-first regiment of my brigade was left to picket the river, while 
 the other three regiments, with three of his brigades, proceeded to re- 
 join the main army at Chancellorsville. He hat! marched but a short 
 distance, when it was reported that the enemy were advancing upon 
 General Hays, who had been left with his brigade on the line from 
 Hamilton's Crossing to Fredericksburg. General Early ordered the 
 entire command to return to its former position. About two o'clock, 
 on Sunday morning, having thrown a pontoon bridge over the river, 
 the enemy commenced crossing into Fredericksburg in large numbers. 
 I at once informed General Early of the fact, and asked for reinforce- 
 ments. With several batteries, under the command of General Pen- 
 dleton, and a single brigade of infantry, I had a fiont of not less than 
 tflree miles to defend, extending from Taylor's hill on the left, to the 
 foot of the hills in rear of the Howison house. The twenty- first 
 regiment was posted b tween the Mayro house and the plank road, 
 three companies of which were afterwards sent to the support of the 
 eighteenth regiment, which was stationed behind the stone wall at the 
 Mayre house. The seventeenth regiment was placed in front of Lee's 
 hill, and the thirteenth still further to the right. One regiment from 
 General Hays' command was subsequently placed to the right of the 
 thirteenth. Four pieces of artillery were placed on the right of 
 Marye's house, two on the left, and the balance on Lee's and the hills 
 in the vicinity of the Howison house, thus making the only disposi- 
 tion of the small force at my command which, in my judgment, would 
 prevent the enemy from passing the line. The battle commenced at 
 daylight. A furious cannonading was opened from the enemy's bat- 
 teries in town, and along both banks of the river. Two assaults were 
 made upon Marye's heights, but both were signally repulsed. About 
 eight o'clock, a heavy column of the enemy were seen moving up the 
 river, evidently for the purpose of getting possession of Taylor's hill, 
 which, if successful, would have given him command of the position 
 
78 
 
 which I held. But this was prevented by the timely arrival of Gen- 
 eral Hays, with four regiments of his brigade. The enemy having 
 thus been foiled in his p.urpose, turned the head of his column down 
 the river again ; but it was impossible to tell whether he had aban- 
 doned the attempt or intended to advance again on the same position, 
 with a still heavier force. General Wilcox had now reached Taylor's 
 hill, with three regiments of his brigade, one of which he promised to 
 send to the right, in case it should be needed. Thi3 regiment was 
 sent for, but there was not sufficient time for it to come up, before 
 the action was over. With a line as extended as this, and in con- 
 sideration of the small number of forces at my disposal, and the un- 
 certainty as to the point against which the enemy would hurl the 
 immediate force he had massed in town, I deemed it proper that the 
 regiments should remain as they then were, and await the happening 
 of events. Very soon, however, the enemy came out from his hiding 
 place, and moved in three columns and three lines of battle, twenty 
 thousand strong, against the position held by my brigade. At the 
 same instant, Colonel Humphreys was assailed on the left, Colonels 
 Holder and Carter, and the Louisiana regiment on the right, and 
 Colonel Griffin in the centre. After a determined and bloody re- 
 sistance by Colonel Griffin and the Washington artillery, the enemy, 
 fully twenty to one, succeeded in gaining possession of Mayre's hill. 
 At all other points he was triumphantly repulsed ; but seeing the line 
 broken at this point, I ordered the thirteenth, seventeenth, and Lou- 
 isiana regiment to fall back to the crest of Lee's hill, to prevent the 
 enemy from getting in our rear. This they did, resisting his ap- 
 proach at every step ; and with the aid of Frazer's and Carlton's bat- 
 teries, both of which were handled with the most consummate skill and 
 courage, finally succeeded in checking his advance. The twenty-first 
 regiment, with the remainder of the eighteenth, after Marye's hill had 
 been taken, fell back, and rejoined the brigade on the hills. The dis- 
 tance from town to the points assailed was so short, the attack so sud- 
 denly made, and the difficulty of removing troops from one part of the 
 line to another was so great, that it was utterly impossible for either 
 General Wilcox or General Hays to reach the scene of action in time 
 to afford any assistance whatever. It will then be seen that Marye's 
 hill was defended by but one small regiment, three companies, and 
 four pieces of artillery. A more heroic struggle was never made by 
 a mere handful of men against overwhelming odds. According to the 
 enemy's own accounts, many of this noble little band resisted to the 
 death, with clubbed guns, even after his vast hordes had swept over 
 and around the walls. His loss, from reports published in his own 
 papers, was a thousand killed and wounded ; but according to state- 
 ments from intelligent citizens, it reached two thousand. Upon the 
 pretext of taking care of their wounded, the enemy asked a flag of 
 truce, after the second assault at Marye's hill, which was granted by 
 Colonel Grffin, and thus the weakness of our force at that point was 
 discovered. It is proper to say, that Colonel Griffin, who is a brave 
 and gallant officer, granted this flag of truce without consulting me. 
 The next morning, the line of battle was formed on the river road — 
 
79 
 
 General Gordon in front, General Hays on the left, and my brigade 
 on the right of the road. It was soon discovered that Lee's and 
 Mayre's hills had been abandoned by the enemy. General Gordon 
 took possession of Marye's hill without opposition. My brigade was 
 ordered to the stone wall in front of the hill ; and I was ordered to 
 send out skirmishers, and if the town was not strongly defended, to 
 storm and take it.- I at once sent out both scouts and skirmishers, 
 both of whom reported, that, in their judgment, the town* was in a 
 state of strong defence ; that rifle-pits had been dug across the streets, 
 and that cannon had been planted on both sides of the river, which 
 completely commanded the entire town. This fact I reported to Gen- 
 eral Early, who ordered me to remain where I then was, and prevent 
 any advance from town on the part of the enemy. During the night 
 the enemy recrossed the river; and on the following morning I moved 
 in and occupied the town, capturing about forty prisoners. In con- 
 cluding this brief report, I desire specially to mention the names of 
 Captain J. A. Barksdale, adjutant of this brigade ; Lieutenant J. A. 
 Gibson, acting inspector general ; Harris Barksdale, aid-de-camp, as 
 having acted with the greatest possible coolness and gallantry. Dr. 
 Hill, senior surgeon of the brigade, and all the regimental surgeons, 
 did their whole duty. All the couriers who were with us — J. T. 
 Broach, W. M. Palmer, and W. L. McKee — carried my messages to 
 the different commands promptly, regardless of danger. 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 WM BARKSDALE, 
 Brigadier General commanding. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL POSEY. 
 
 Headquarters Posey's Brigade, ) 
 
 Near Fredericksburg, Va., May 12, 1863. \ 
 
 To Major Thomas S. Mills, • 
 
 A. A. General, Anderson's Division .' 
 
 Major : I have the honor of submitting a report of the part my 
 brigade tock in the recent engagement about Chancellorsville and 
 Fredericksburg. On the evening of the 29th ultimo, being then in 
 camp with Brigadier General Mahone, near the United States ford, 
 we were advised by our scouts and the cavalry pickets, who were 
 posted at Ely's ford and Germana bridge, that the enemy had crossed 
 in heavy force at those points, and were advancing on the Ely and 
 Plank roads, towards Chancellorsville. Upon consultation, we con* 
 eluded to leave five companies of my brigade, (nineteenth Mississippi 
 regiment,) and one regiment of General Mahone's brigade, to watch 
 and defend the United States ford, while we moved our brigades to 
 Chancellorsville ; on reaching that place, we posted my brigade on the 
 right and left of the Plank road at Chancellorsville, and General 
 Mahone's brigade in Ballard's and Nixley's fields, half mile from 
 Chancellorsville, on the Ely road. We remained in this position until 
 about seven o'clock the next morning, the 30th, when we were directed 
 by the Major General commanding, who reached Chancellorsville about 
 twelve o'clock, A. M., to move our commands back to a position 
 where the mine road crosses the old pike and plank road. We 
 remained in this position until the next morning about nine o'clock, 
 May 1st, when I was^ordered to advance my brigade up the plank 
 road. After moving about two miles, I formed a line-of-battle. in 
 Aldridge's field, between the plank road and old pike, and sent out 
 the twelfth regiment as skirmishers, moving the other three regiments 
 forward as fast as the skirmishers advanced ; the advanced line of 
 skirmishers soon encountered the enemy, when I advanced another 
 line, and we drove the enemy's skirmishers back in gallant style, until 
 we encountered the enemy in heavy force drawn up in line-of-battle 
 on the furnace road; this line was soon broken by the vigorous onset 
 of my skirmishers, (at this time Lieutenant Colonel Harris, command- 
 ing the twelfth, wa3 severely wounded while gallantly leading on his 
 command, and was taken off the field.) I continued my advance 
 across the furnace road, through a dense wood, thickly set with 
 undergrowth, driving back the enemy's skirmishers through the woods, 
 until I reached a marsh, and became much exposed to a rapid shelling 
 from the enemy's artillery, when I halted my command and remained 
 here until about eleven o'clock, P. M., wlien I received an order from 
 the Major General commanding to advance as far as I could. I then 
 pushed my skirmishers forward, and with much difficulty crossed the 
 marsh in front, and advanced within a short distance of the enemy's 
 lines of works ; the enemy on my right being on my flank and some- 
 
81 
 
 what in the rear of my right. I remained in this position until ahout 
 seven o'clock the next morning, when I was relieved by Brigadier 
 General Thomas ; and then moved with my brigade to the field in rear 
 of the Furnace road, where my command was allowed to rest for a 
 short time. Saturday, 2d May, about ten o'clock, A. M., my command 
 moved down the furnace road, and formed a line-of-battle with three 
 regiments, (the forty-eighth being left behind as skirmishers, and not 
 being relieved until late at night,) on each side of the road, about five 
 hundred yards from the furnace. Here my skirmishers were hotly 
 engaged with the enemy during the whole day and part of the night, 
 the enemy being in heavy force in my front, and making frequent 
 efforts to advance without success; on every occasion my line ot skir- 
 mishers drove them back in confusion. On the morning of the 3d, 
 the enemy having disappeared from my front, I advanced my com- 
 mand, by the furnance, capturing many prisoners and arms, until I 
 reached a point in a field in rear of our Dutteries on the extreme right 
 of the enemy's lines; here I formed my command in column of regi- 
 ments, and, after a short time, was ordered to advance by flank to the 
 right, and attack the enemy, who were in strong force on a hill in 
 front. I deployed first the nineteenth, then the twelfth, forty-eighth 
 and sixteenth, directing the commanders to move by the left flaiik 
 (which would bring them in line-of-battle, fronting the enemy) as 
 Boon as they attained sufficient room in the woods, and push forward 
 their skirmishers vigorously against the enemy's. The movement 
 was made in fine order under heavy fire of shell and grape ; as ea#» 
 regiment attained its position, the commanders pushed forward gal- 
 lantly and irresistibly through a dense wood and over a wide abattis, 
 and into the trenches of the enemy, driving him off with much slaugh- 
 ter, and capturing many prisoners. Too much credit cannot be given 
 to the officers and men for this gallant and daring and irresistible 
 charge, sweeping the enemy for more than a half mile of their strong 
 works, overcoming without hesitation both natural and artificial ob- 
 stacles. It would not be proper in this limited report to mention the 
 many instances of individual daring which came under my observation 
 and which have been reported to me, and where all the officers and 
 men behaved so nobly it would be invidious to individualize. Com- 
 manders of regiments acted with consummate skill and valor. Colo- 
 nel Baker, of the sixteenth, attacked the enemy's works on their 
 extreme right ; Colonel Jayne, of the forty- eighth, (who was wounded 
 in the charge,) next ; Major Thomas, of the twelfth, and Colonel Har- 
 ris on the right of the brigade. These commanders simultaneously 
 charged the enemy's works, and I am much indebted to them for the 
 success of my command. My command, after storming the works, 
 being somewhat scattered on account of the d^inse woods and vigorous 
 pursuit. I moved it back a short distance and reformed in an open 
 field on the right, and in a very short time was ready to move for- 
 ward. On the afternoon of this day my command was moved on the 
 old pike, the left resting near Chancellorsville house, and my right 
 extended on the pike. I here. sent out ten companies of skirmishers, 
 who penetrated to Ballard's and Nixley's field, where the enemy were 
 6 
 
82 
 
 in force and throwing up works of defence. In the afternoon, my 
 brigade, with Generals Wright's and Perry's, were moved near the 
 United States lord, where I sent out the nineteenth and twelfth regi- 
 ments and drove in the enemy's skirmishers. The next day, Monday, 
 the 4th, my command was moved, with Generals Wright and Perry, 
 towards Fredericksburg, and in the afternoon formed a line-of-battle 
 near Hazel run, fronting Dolmer's house. At the signal to advance, 
 led by the Major General commanding, my command moved across to 
 the plank road, opposite Guests' house, under heavy fire, and at dark 
 formed a line-of-battle and remained until about twelve o'clock, when 
 I was ordered to move to a point up the plank road near Banks' ford. 
 During this time my skirmishers were actively engaged and brought 
 i t many prisoners. I remained near Banks' ford during the balance 
 of the night, and the next evening, the 5th, in a severe storm of 
 wind and rain, advanced to within two miles of Chancellorsville and 
 bivouacked for the night. Early the next day, 6th, I was moved to 
 Ballard's field, and that evening returned to my old camp near Fred- 
 ericksburg. My command was on foot from the siOth of April to the 
 7th May, inclusive, and bore the" privations, fatigue, labor and 
 fighting without a murmur. My staff officers. Stanhope Posey, A. 
 A. General and J. B. Posey, A. D. C, rendered .good services. My 
 pid- de-camp being very sick had to leave the field Saturday morning, 
 and my assistant adjutant general being wounded on Saturday, was 
 disabled from doing active duty, but remained in the field while the 
 fixating lasted. In the meantime, one of my couriers, Mr. Asberry 
 Hancock, acted both a courier and aid-de-camp, and did most valua- 
 ble service, displaying acts of daring and heroism worthy of mention, 
 tvA for his conduct in the field in front of the enemy, deserves the 
 l.'ghest consideration, and should be promoted. My courier, Weil, 
 also deserves mention. I must here mention that Lieutenant Colonel 
 Manlove, of the forty-eighth, volunteered, and gallantly led a line of 
 fkirmishers on Friday morning with good effect. It affords me pleas- 
 ure to notice the gallant conduct of T. L. Duke, chaplain of the 
 cineteenth regiment, who remained in front of his regiment with his 
 l nueket during the series of engagements, and mainly directed the 
 movements of the skirmishers of that regiment. I herewith send a 
 list of casualties, and also the reports of commanders of regiments, 
 giving more particular details which are interesting. 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 CARNOT POSEY, 
 , Brigadier General commanding. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL A. R. WRIGHT. 
 
 Headquarters Wkhuit's Brigade, > 
 Camp near Guineas' Station, May 13, 13G3. J 
 
 To Major Thos. S. Mills, 
 
 A. A. G., Anderson's Division : 
 
 Major : I herewith enclose a report of the part taken by my brig- 
 ade in the recent engagements near Fredericksburg and Chancellors- 
 ville, together with a correct list of casualties sustained by this 
 command. At fifteen minutes after ton o'clock, A. M., on the 29th 
 ultimo, I received orders to move with my command, to, or near 
 Hamilton's Crossing, and in supporting distance of General Early's 
 left. I immediately put my brigade in motion, and at twelve, M , 
 reached the position indicated, with my right near to Farly's left. 
 Here I remained until late in the afternoon, when, in obedience to 
 orders from Major General Anderson. I moved my command near to 
 his headquarters, on the military road. Here we bivouacked, as we 
 hoped, for the night, bv.t at twelve o'clock, I was ordered to move 
 rapidly with my command to Chancellorsville, distant some twelve or 
 fifteen miles, where I would report to Major General Anderson. 
 During a drenching rain and impenetrable darkness, we commenced 
 the march, and moving by the Fredericksburg and Orange plank road, 
 at day-light, on Thursday, May the 3Uth, I reported in pers«n the 
 arrival of my brigade at Chancellorsville. Here T received orders to 
 retrace my steps, and fall back towards Fredericksburg, as far a> the 
 crossing of the old mine road on the plank road, and there await the 
 approach of the enemy, then reported as advancing in heavy force by ■ 
 the Ely's ford and Germ ana roads. At eight o'clock, A. M., I 
 reached the desired position and formed line of battle on a range of 
 hills in rear of Hopewell nursery, with my right resting upon the 
 plank road. My men had marched twenty-seven miles in less thai: 
 twenty-one hours and most of the time in a heavy rain and through 
 deep mud, and when I halted, were almost completely exhau-td. 
 After a hasty reconuoissance of the position, 1 concluded to change 
 my line to the crest of a range of hill*, upon which the small-pox 
 hospital and an old church were situated, and about three quarters of 
 a mile in rear of my first position. Here I formed u before with my 
 right resting upon the plank road, and my left upon the Fredericks- 
 burg and Gordonsville railroad During the afternoon, having re- 
 ceived a few entrenching tools, I commenced digging a line of rifle 
 pits in front of my position, and by working during the whole night, 
 I had, by seven o'clock, on Fri lay morning, my entire line well 
 protected, having also, during the night, kept a detail at work throw- 
 ing up an epa'dement for two pieces of artillery, on the right of the 
 plank road. No enemy having appeared in eight in front of my 
 position, at about noon, on Friday, the 1st of May, I was ordered to 
 movo my brigade up the plank road, and, feeling for the enemy, to 
 
84 
 
 drive Kim before me, should he be found, Having proceeded about 
 one mile, my skirmishers became engaged with the enemy's advance, 
 who began very soon to give way, while I pressed forward with the 
 main body of my command until having reached within one and a half 
 or two miles of Chancellorsvil-e, I discovered the enemy in considera- 
 ble force, occupying a position on both sides of the plant road, along: 
 the skirt of a heavy forest, with a large clearing in his- front. At 
 this point, by command of Lieutenant General Jackson, Alexander's 
 battallicn of artillery was placed in position and supported by my 
 brigade, opened a heavy fire upon the enemy's line. Meanwhile I 
 threw forward a strong body of skirmishers from the third Georgia 
 regiment on both sides of the road, and pushing them well to the 
 front, those on the right soon became actively engaged with a con- 
 siderable body of the enemy's infantry ; the firing continuing very 
 heavy on my right, I ordered Captain Jones' company, second Georgia 
 battalion, to the support of company "H", third Georgia regiment, 
 then on the right. In a very few minutes the enemy began to give 
 way, and Captain Jones continued to press them, for some distance 
 through the dense wood. About the middle of the afternoon, I re- 
 ceived orders from General Anderson to move my brigade across and 
 to the left of the plank road, and, bearing well off from the road, en- 
 deavour to get upon the enemy's right flank and rear. I immediately 
 commenced the movement, and reaching the Gordonsville and Freder- 
 icksburg railroad, I moved rapidly up that road, keeping Captain 
 Wilson's company, forty- eighth Georgia regiment, and Captain 
 Scragg's company, twenty-second Georgia regiment, well in advance, 
 as skirmishers. 
 
 About six o'clock. P. M., I reached Wellford's iron furnace, one 
 and a half miles southwest of Chancellorsville, where I found Major 
 General Stuart, who informed me that the enemy, in considerable 
 force were occupying the thick woods north of and near the furnace, 
 in the direction of Chancellorsville. I immediately prepared to give 
 him battle, and ordered Lieutenant Colonel Carswell, commanding 
 forty-eighth Virginia regiment, and Lieutenant Colonel Warden, 
 commanding twenty- second Georgia regiment, to move cautiously for- 
 ward through the almost impenetrable forest, with one company for 
 each regiment thrown forward as skirmishers, and, finding the enemy, 
 to press him vigorously. The third Georgia regiment and second 
 Georgia battalion I held in reserve, to be used as occasion might 
 require. Lieutenant Colonels Carswell and Warden, moving rapidly 
 forward, were soon engaged with a heavy force of the enemy's in- 
 fantry and the firing for a few minutes was very severe. Through 
 this heavy fire Carswell and Warden continued to press, and their 
 gallant commands soon cleared the woods and, reaching the edge of 
 an open field, charged upon and drove the enemy up a high hill, in 
 rear of a farm house, where he took shelter under cover of a dense 
 pine thicket. Fearing lest my small command should fall into a 
 Yankee trap, I ordered my line to halt and dispatched a messenger to 
 General Stuart, asking that he send me a portion of his artillery, 
 under cover of whose fire I intended again to charge the enemy^ 
 
85 
 
 unless our artillery should show them to be in very greatly superior 
 force. Some time elapsed before our guns could be got into position, 
 owing to the character of the ground and the very bad roads over 
 which they had to pass, and it was nearly sunset before we opened 
 our fire. Immediately the enemy responded with two heavy batteries, 
 one immediately in front and one upon our right, and very soon a 
 third opened upon us from a high hill on our left. Our guns replied 
 with spirit, but owing to the superior number of guns opposed to them 
 and their advantageous position, the result was not as favorable to us 
 as I had hoped and anticipated. Ascertaining the locality of the 
 enemy* guns, I directed Lieutenant Colonel Carswell to move off by 
 his left flank through a deep ravine near the edge of the field, in 
 which the enemy's guns were posted, and gaining the right and rear 
 of the enemy's battery upon our left to charge upon and take it. 
 But owing to the near approach of night and the dense undergrowth 
 through which we had to pass, it was found impossible to accomplish 
 my object, and, at 'dark, the firing ceased on both sides, and I with- 
 drew my men ; and, in obedience to orders from Lieutenant General 
 Jackson, received through Major General Stuart, I marched by the 
 furnace road, and, at eleven o'clock, P M., rejoined my division, then 
 on the plank road about one mile from Chancellorsville. My loss, 
 during the day, amounted to two killed and twenty-two wounded. 
 The enemy's loss I had no means of discovering, as I left the scene 
 of conflict so soon, but it must have been very considerable, including 
 quite a number of prisoners. 
 
 Early on Saturday morning, the 2d instant, I was ordered to form 
 my brigade on the left of and perpendicular to the plank road, with 
 my right resting upon it, keeping one regiment deployed as skirmish- 
 ers well to the front in the dense woods. In this position I continued 
 until two o'clock, P. M., when I received orders to move quickly in 
 the direction of tho iron furnace to the support of General Posey, 
 who was then threatened by a heavy force of the Yankees. Just at 
 this time the enemy advanced two full brigades upon the third Georgia 
 regiment, deployed as skirmishers in my front, and commenced a 
 fire upon that regiment. I was compelled to leave it unsup- 
 ported, but reporting the fact promptly to the Major General com- 
 manding the division, I proceeded rapidly to the support of General 
 Posey, whose brigade I found in line extending on both sides of the 
 road to the furnace, and distant from the latter about one thousand 
 yards.* The enemy appeard in considerable force upon the hills around 
 the furnace, and had a strong lin? of sharpshooters advanced as far 
 as the small run, which flows at the foot of the furnace hill. After a 
 brief consultation with General Posey, I formed my brigade on his 
 right with my line extending well to the right in the direction of the 
 lefLof the third Georgia regiment, left, as before stated, hotly eng 
 by a large force of the enemy. The firing continuing so incessant 
 and terrific in the direction of the latter regiment, I dispatched a 
 messenger to Major Jones, commanding, to ascertain the condition of 
 things in his immediate front, and to inform him of my readiness to rein- 
 force him if he should require it, but ordering him to hold his position 
 
86 
 
 a': all hazards, as he held the key to our whole line in this quarter. 
 laving received an answer from Major Jones that he was not only able 
 to hold his own against the terrible odds to which he was opposed, but 
 thiit he was actually advancing upon and driving the enemy before 
 him, I drew in my line upon the left and concentrated the balance of 
 my brigade there, in order to co- operate more favorably with Posey, 
 who was, about this time, threatened with a heavy force which was 
 seen advancing down the hill from the furnace, and approaching his 
 position with loud cheers. This was about dark on Saturday, and as 
 the enemy's threatened movement against General Posey was not 
 made, I again directed my attention in the direction of Majqr Jones' 
 position on my right. 
 
 Shortly after dark the firing ceased along my whole front, and, at 
 half-past eight o'clock, Major Jones' third Georgia regiment having 
 been relieved from its position in the woods, as skirmishers, returned 
 to the brigade, and was formed upon its right My loss during the 
 day was very slight, though I regret to add that* some of my men, 
 who were wounded the day before and left at the furnace in hospital, 
 were to-day captured, together with two ambulances, which had been 
 sent up to bring them oft. When the depot for my wounded was 
 established at the furnace it was at least a mile within our lines, but 
 by some means unknown to me the enemy retook the position on this 
 day, (Saturday, the 2d,) and thus got possession of some of my 
 wounded men. 
 
 Early on Sunday morning, I received orders to advance my brigade 
 through the woods in the direction of Chahcellorsville, connecting 
 my right with General Mahone's left and my left with General Posey's 
 right. This gave me a line of over a mile to cover, with less than sixteen 
 hundred men. I soon found that this was entirely impracticable, and 
 I pushed forward through the woods endeavoring to keep equi-distant 
 from Mahone and Posey, keeping my flanks protected by a strong 
 line of skirmishers and flankers. In this order I moved steadily 
 on my right, about three-quarters of a mile to the left of the plank 
 road, until I fell upon a strong body of Yankee infantry posted in the 
 woods, about one-half a mile in the front (as I afterwards discovered) 
 of a strong line of rifle pits, protected by abactis formed by the felling 
 of the thick forest timber for some distance in front of their entrench- 
 ments. Quickly engaging the enemy, with vigor, he gave way, and I 
 pursued him up and into his strong works. Here my small command 
 encountered the most terrible fire of artillery and musketry -I have 
 ever witnessed, and our further advance was temporarily checked. 
 About this time, firing on my left wa,s heard, and I felt assured 
 Posey was up to his work. Not having heard from or of General 
 "Mahone, I dispatched an officer of my staff to seek him and inform 
 him of my position, and beg him to move forward to my support. 
 Immediately after this messenger left me, Major Taylor, an officer in 
 command of General Mahone's line of skirmishers, approached me 
 and informed me that he knew nothing of the locality of General 
 Mahone's brigade, except when last heard from it was very far in the 
 xear, and that he (Taylor) should wait or fall back with his skirmish- 
 
37 
 
 ers until he could be brought near to his brigade. I urged him not to 
 do so, as I had just sent word to General Mahone, informing hi in )f 
 the condition of things in front, and urging him to come to my sup- 
 port, and which I thought he would speedily do. Directly after this, 
 Major Taylor left me, and I saw no more of him or General Mahoni 'a 
 forces during the day. Being thus without support on my right, I 
 determined to move a little towards the left, where I continued to hear 
 Posey's fire, and ordered Major Jones, with his third Georgia regi- 
 ment, to deploy bis lino, and pushing up to the enemy's w 
 examine bis position and report. About tbis time, the firing far o:\ 
 the left of Posey's position became heavy, and I felt assured that 
 Jackson was advancing there. Major Jones moved bis regiment 
 rapidly up to within a few rols of the enemy's works, where, p:« 
 by Posey and Perry on my immediate left, and Jackson further on, 
 the Yankees gave way and fled from their entrenchments. We 
 pressed forward and immediately occupied them, although on my rig] li 
 the enemy still retained possession of their works and opened a pretty 
 sharp fire of shell and musketry upon us as we took possession of their 
 abandoned rifle-pits. I was then ordered by Major General Anderson 
 to move up the third Georgia regiment and dislodge the enemy's 
 sharpshooters on our right, and then push forward for the enemy's 
 battery, which was playing so incessantly upon us. The order was 
 given, and the third Georgia commenced its movement along the line 
 of rifle-pits towards the plank road, led by Major Jones h\ a few 
 minutes he received a severe wound in the right arm, (-ince ampu- 
 tated.) and the command devolved upon Captain Andrews, who con- 
 tinued to advance, until having reached the plank road about twj 
 hundred yards from Chancellorsville, I ordered him to charge the 
 enemy, then in some confusion around and in the rear of the brick 
 house. This charge was made with spiiit and the enemy fled, leaving us 
 in entire possession of his strong position. At this point we capture i 
 three pieces of artillery and eight caissons, and about three hundre I 
 prisoners. I immediately reformed my brigade (now somewhat scat- 
 tered in running through the woods and timber,) along the road in 
 front of the brick house, and ordered four companies of the third Georgia 
 forward on both sides of Ely's ford road as skirmishers to feel for the 
 flying foe. Soon as I had my line formed and ready to press on, I 
 reported the fact Major General Anderson, who, with General Leo, 
 had ridden upon the field, and then received orders to move, down tho 
 plank road for a few rods and await further orders. Meanwhile, my 
 skirmishers had overtaken the running Yankees, and had suocei I 
 in capturing an entire Yankee regiment, (the twenty-seventh I 
 necticut,) with all its field officers and about six or seven bun I 
 men. I cfn tinned to scour the woods for an hour or two, and cap- 
 tured quite a number of stra. i uikees. 
 
 Late in the afternoon, 1 was ordered down a by-road in the d 
 tion of the United State- ford, following Posey's brigade. Not! ii g 
 of importance occurred daring tins march, and at night we ' 
 ricked near Child a 1 house. My loss during this day was pretty severe, 
 
88 
 
 amounting to seventeen killed, and one hundred and sixty three 
 wounded, including in the list of killed some of my best officers. 
 
 On Monday morning, I received orders to move back up the road, 
 towards Chancellorsvillc, until I reached the turnpike road; and from 
 thence was ordered down the turnpike to Salem church, five miles 
 above Fredericksburg, which point we reaohed about noon, when I 
 halted to receive further orders. Major General Anderson then di- 
 rected me to move off to the right of the road, and passing well to 
 the left of the enemy's line, to take position on the siope of the hills 
 in rear of Downman's farm. Here I formed line of battle, my right 
 upon the left of Hoke's brigade, of Early's division, Posey's right 
 upon my left. 
 
 The enemy were in position along the north slope of the ridge upon 
 which Downman's house stands, with a strong line of sharpshooters 
 occupying the crest of the ridge and the house, and fencing around 
 Downman's yard with heavy batteries on the hills in their rear. At 
 the appointed signal, just before sunset, I movedlorward by the right 
 flank around to the right of the hill on which 1 had formed, and pass- 
 ing up a ravine, came upon the border of the open field in rear of 
 Downman's house, about four hundred yards from it, and here rap- 
 idly forming in line, I charged across the fields, swept by the house, 
 and reached the woods opposite, driving the enemy before me like 
 chaff. Arriving at the skirt of the woods, I halted my command, 
 (fearing if I proceeded further in that direction I should encounter 
 Wofford's brigade, who, I had been informed, would advance in that 
 direction,) and sent a messenger to General Anderson informing him 
 of my position, from whom I received instructions to wait in my 
 then position for further orders. During this time the enemy kept up 
 a murderous fire along my whole line, and with considerable effect. 
 I remained in this position until dark, subjected to this murderous 
 fire, without being able to respond to the enemy's guns. Between 
 eight and nine o'clock, I was ordered to move up to the plank road, and 
 form on Posey's left, which I did, and soon after we moved down 
 the road in the direction of Banks ford, Posey in advance. After pro- 
 ceeding two and-a-half or three miles, we were ordered to halt; and 
 were then ordered by Major General Anderson to bivouac for the 
 night. My loss this day was considerable, amounting to six killed, 
 and eighty-three wounded. 
 
 On Thursday, the 5th instant, about two o'clock, P. M., I received 
 orders to move my command immediately up the plank road to Chan- 
 cellorsville. I commenced the march at once in one of the hardest 
 rains I have ever seen, and which continued with less violence»during 
 the whole afternoon. At dark, we encamped about one and a-half 
 miles from Chancellorsville ; and, early nexc morning, (Wednesday,) 
 we marched to Chancellorsville, and from thence down the Ely's ford 
 ioad to a point just behind Brooks' house. Here we were halted un- 
 til about noon, when I was ordered to retrace my steps, (the Yankees 
 having retired beyond the river,) and take my men into their camp, in 
 the rear of Fredericksburg. Thus ended the eight days of marching 
 and fighting. 
 
89 
 
 I cannot, in justice to the brave men composing this command, 
 close my brief report without expressing my highest admiration for 
 their splendid conduct during this eventful week. No man ever had 
 better or braver soldiers. The twenty-second Georgia, Lieutenant 
 Colonel Warden, and the forty-eighth Georgia, Lieutenant Colonel 
 Carswell, on Friday, near the iron furnace, acted with distinguished 
 coolness and courage, driving a vastly superior force of the Yankees 
 for nearly a mile, and only relinquished further pursuit by receiving 
 orders from me to halt. On the same day, Company " H," Captain 
 Luckee, of the third Georgia, and company*'' B," Captain Jones, of 
 the second Georgia batttalion, performed efficient and valuable ser- 
 vice as skirmishers, during the advance, and firing on the plank 
 road. , 
 
 On Saturday, tho third Georgia sustained its former reputation in 
 engaging and actually repulsing two brigades of the enemy, on tho 
 left of the plank road, near Chancellorsville. 
 
 On Sunday, at Chancellorsville, and again on Monday afternoon, near 
 Fredericksburg, th.2 entire command evinced the most heroic fortitude 
 and ohivalric daring; charging in both instances and routing the 
 Yankee infantry, under a deadly fire from the enemy's batteries. To 
 Lieutenant Colonel Warden, Lieutenant Colonel Cars well, Major 
 Ross and Major Jones, and the skillful officers and brave men of their 
 commands is the country in no small degree indebted for the splendid 
 results of the week. 
 
 This command and the country have to deplore the untimely loss of 
 Captain Heath, of the twenty-second Georgia, Captain Kendrick and 
 first Lieutenant Spier, of the forty-eighth Georgia, who were killed 
 on Sunday, near Chancellorsville. 
 
 To Captain Girardey, A. A General, Lieutenant Hazlehnrst and 
 Captain JBoll, Aids-de-Camp, I am greatly indebted for their valuable 
 and efficient services during all the week's operations. 
 I am, Major, very respectfully. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 A. R. WRIGHT, 
 Brigadier General commanding brigade. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL PERRY. 
 
 Headquarters Perry's Brigade, ) 
 May 9th, 18C3. $ 
 
 To Major' Thomas S. Mills, A. A. Genera! : 
 
 Major : I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
 part taken by rny command — consisting of the second and eighth 
 Florida regiments — in the recent engagements in Spottsylvania 
 county : 
 
 On the evening of the 29th of April, in compliance with orders 
 from division headquarters, I moved my command to the heights in 
 front of Falmouth, and throwing my pickets out to the river bank, 
 remained in line of battle until about eleven o'clock on the morning 
 of the 1st of May, when, in obedience to orders from Major General 
 Anderson, I moved with my command up the plank road, and into the 
 old turnpike road. I advanced up this road until 1 came' to our line 
 of battle, held by Major General McLaws on the right. I then 
 received an order from Major General McLaws to form my brigade on 
 the right of Brigadier General Wofford's brigade. This threw me 
 some distance to the right of the old mine road. I at once formed 
 my line of battle, and receiving information from Major General 
 McLaws that the enemy were advancing on the old mine road, I threw 
 out skirmishers and so disposed my line as to enable me to command 
 both the old mine road and the Dewson mill road. Brigadier General 
 Wilcox soon coming up and forming his brigade on my right, 1 was 
 relieved from giving further attention to the Dewson mill road and re- 
 sumed my original line, my right regiment resting in the rifle-pits on 
 the left of the Dewson mill roa< J . About five o'clock, P. M., I received 
 orders from Major General McLaws to double my line of skirmishers 
 and advance. I did so for about one and one-half miles, encounter- 
 ing no enemy I halted with Brigadier General Wofford's brigade 
 on my left. Brigadier General Wilcox not receiving orders to 
 advance at the time, did not join my right. General Wofford having 
 become disconnected from the line on his left, determined to bivouac 
 for the night. Accordingly I threw out a strong line of pickets and 
 disposed my men for rest. They were very much exhausted owing to 
 the nature of the country through which they h d advanced. About 
 ten o'clock I received an order to retrace my steps and march up the 
 turnpike road to Major General McLaws' position. I did so, and 
 having arrived with my brigade near General McLaws' head- 
 quarters, received an order revoking the former order and directing 
 me to move my command back to the position I had just left. 
 Having retaken that position, I remained until morning, everything 
 in my front continuing quiet. Brigadier General Wofford having 
 re-established his connection with the line on his left, the line of bat- 
 tle was advanced, I moving in conformity with the line on my left, 
 keeping out a strong line of skirmishers, and sending out scouting 
 
91 
 
 parties to my front and right, we encountered no resistance to our 
 advance. The enemy falling back without firing a gun, we took a few 
 prisoners and found some abandoned commissary stores, arms, &c. 
 About four o'clock in the evening the line was closed up to the left 
 by order from Major General McLaws, until my left rested a few 
 paces to the right of the pike road. My skirmishers here became 
 engaged with the enemy, driving back the enemy's skirmishers and 
 holding the ground gained against a brisk fire from both infantry and 
 artillery. ' At dark I received an order from Major General McLaws 
 to report with my command to Major General Anderson, on the left 
 of Mnjoi General McLaws' line, and in obedience to Major General 
 Anderson's orders, bivouacked my men in the woods for rest, tome- 
 time before daylight of the morning of the third of May, I moved 
 my command, by direction of Major General Anderson, down the 
 Catharpin road for the purpose of scouring the country to the left of 
 and rear of the left of Major General Anderson's line. I found the 
 country clear and moved up by the furnace, on the left of the line, 
 and came up with the other brigades of the division, near to the 
 enemy's works. I at once formed my line of battle and pushed for- 
 ward upon the right flank of the enemy's works on the left of the line 
 of Major General Anderson's division. The fire was quite brisk acre 
 from a line of the enemy, thrown back at right angles to this front, 
 to protect hn flank and rear. This line soon gave way, and pushing 
 forward, I found myself inside of his breastworks. Having no knowl- 
 edge of the ground and the woods being so thick as to entirely 
 obstruct the view, I was at a loss for some time aS to the direction of 
 the enemy's next line. Their musket balls soon gave me the proper 
 direction, and I changed front, and sending out skirmishers, soon 
 found their line on the thickly wooded hill in the rear of their 
 breastworks, and to their right of the field in front of Chancellor's. 
 I ordered a charge, and the enemy, after one or two rounds, broke in 
 the utmost confusion, throwing down arms, knapsacks, &c., great 
 numbers of them running into our lines. 
 
 No sooner had the enemy's lines vanished than their batteries 
 poured a most terrific fire of grape and canister into my lines. The 
 men lying down, and being partially protected by a slight ridge, the 
 fire was not as fatal as I had reason to fear. Upon going to the front 
 I found no infantry in my front, between me and the turnpike road, 
 and that I could not lead my men against the enemy's battery with- 
 out encountering the range of our own battery on the left of the rear 
 of my line, which was then clearing out the enemy, in double quick 
 time. While making this charge, portions of two other brigades, 
 who were lying down in the woods, and whom a portion of my line 
 had charged over, rushed back from the sudden and terrific fire poured 
 into us before the enemy gave way. and the eighth Florida regiment, 
 which had not then passed over them, mistaking them for the left of 
 their own brigade, allowed themselves to be swept back a short dis- 
 tance by them. They were not, however, at all panic stricken, but were 
 rallied at once, their morale and spirit in no manner impaired. I 
 cannot think any blame should be attached to either the officers or 
 
92 , 
 
 the men of the regiment. I remained in that position until the rest 
 of the division was marched up by General Anderson, and mo/ed by 
 the right flank with them to the turnpike road, where the division 
 halted. Soon after, I was directed by order from General Anderson, 
 to occupy the works on the right of the pike road, to prevent the 
 enemy from throwing a force into them. I remained in those works 
 until ordered to follow the division towards United States ford. 
 
 That night I halted with the division — being on its left — put out 
 strong pickets, and rested until about two hours before day-light of 
 May 4th, when I received orders to throw one regiment forward upon 
 each of two roads running towards the ridge occupied by the enemy, 
 in the rear of Chancellorsville, I sent forward the fifth Florida, on 
 the road leading by Grady's house, and the second Florida, about 
 half a mile further to the left, throwing forward a connected line of 
 skirmishers in front of the two regiments. These skirmishers en- 
 countered the enemy's pickets in considerable force, but they offered 
 feeble resistance, and were pressed back a mile or a mile and a half, 
 to the enemy's entrenchments. I was then ordered by General An- 
 derson to draw in the two regiments and line of skirmisher.? and 
 follow the division towards Fredericksburg, which I did, and was 
 next posted on the left of the line of the division. My line being to 
 the rear of Downturn's house, Brigadier General Posey being oa my 
 right. There being an interval of three quarters of a mile between 
 my left and the right of General McLaws' line, I was ordered to hold 
 the position, I then occupied, until further orders, unless when the 
 right of our line mid advanced up the plank road to a point opposite 
 me, I should see an opportunity to strike. I had thoroughly scouted 
 the woods to my left, and from the information I had obtained, felt 
 confident of capturing both the battery at Gregg's house and much of 
 the infantry, thrown up between that and Downman's house. That 
 hope, however, as well as all opportunity for me, in the position in 
 which I was to strike a single blow to advantage, was destroyed by 
 Brigadier General Wright's brigade swinging across the line of battle 
 and charging across the field in my front, before our right could so 
 engage the enemy on the plank road, as to prevent the artillery and 
 infantry from escaping by that road. Upon reporting my position to 
 General Anderson, I wa3 directed to remain there until morning. 
 
 On the morning of May 5th, by direction of General Anderson, 
 I moved to the vicinity of the Morgan hotise, on the plank road ; there 
 I remained until about four o'clock, P. M., when, with the other 
 brigades of the division, I moved up the plank road and bivouacked 
 for the night. Early in the morning of the 6th, by order of General 
 Anderson, I detached two regiments, posted one on the Catharpin 
 road and one at fork of plank road and the road leading to Spottsyl- 
 vania Court-IIouse, halting the other regiment where the furnace 
 road crossed the plank road. About one o'clock, I called in my 
 regiments and returned to my old camp. 
 
 The conduct of both officers and men of my command, through the 
 tiresome marches and continued watching, as well as while engaging 
 the enemy, was such as to merit high praise. The firm and steadfast 
 
93 
 
 courage exhibited especially by the fifth and second Florida regiments 
 in the charge at Chancellorsville, attracted my particular Stion 
 I am indebted to Captain McCaslan, A. A. A. General, Lieutenant 
 Taylor, aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Scott, volunteer aid-de-camp and 
 WuenantR.lcy acting inspector, for the great assistance P they" 
 rendered me by their attention to th# duties "and gallant conduct 
 My command was kept supplied with rations by the persevering 
 energy of Major Elder, brigade commissary. Major Ilink e b r , • £ 
 quartermaster, for his untiring efforts to aflcwJthe suffer^ of the 
 wounded, who were collected at the station awaiting transportation 
 of casuames' * ™ ^ particuIar thanks - I enclose the list 
 
 I have the honor to be, 
 
 Very respectfully, &c, 
 
 E. A. PERRY, 
 Brigadier Gincral, P. A. C. S. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL MAHONE, 
 
 Headquarters Maiione's Brigade, Anderson's Division, ) 
 
 May 27, 1863. S 
 
 To Major T. S. Mills, 
 
 A. A. G. Anderson's Division, First Corps, A. N. Va. : 
 
 Major : I beg leave to re; ort the operations of this brigade in the 
 late battles of the Rappahannock. 
 
 It is proper to premise, that this brigade with that of General 
 Posey, had been stationed near the United States ford for the purpose 
 of defending that crossing of the Rappahannock. On Wednesday, 
 the 2'Hh April, it was reported to me that the enemy had made his 
 appearance in force at the Germana and Ely's crossings of the Rapi- 
 dan This appearance of the enemy upon our flank and rear rendered 
 our position at the United States ford no longer tenable,, and with a 
 view to checking his advance upon the flank of our army, as was now 
 clearly discerned to be his aim. the two brigades, General Posey's and 
 mine, were immediately placed in position near Chancellorsville, so 
 as to'cover the roads from the Germana and Ely's crossings of the 
 Rapidan and that of the United States ford, uniting at Chancellors- 
 villa. In the meantime, our camps, stores, equipage, transportation 
 and sick were sent to the rear, and without any material I033 of any 
 of them. The brigades occupied their position at Chancellorsville, as 
 indicated, until next morning, Thursday, the 30th instant, when, under 
 the direction of the Major General commanding the division, who had 
 happily joined us during the night, they fell beck on the United 
 States mine road, this brigade at an 1 covering the crossing by that 
 road, of the old turnpike. Before leaving our position at ^Chancel- 
 lorsville, however, the enemy's cavalry advanced on the Ely's ford 
 road, made its appearance, and after a precipitate advance upon 
 our picket, capturing several, he "subsequently came upon our rear 
 "uard the twelfth Virginia infantry, Lieutenant Colonel Field com- 
 manding, and was repulsed so effectually as to leave us free from any 
 further°annoyance during the change of position, to which I have 
 already referred, and then in process of execution. Shortly after we 
 had taken up our new line, at the intersection of the mine and turn- 
 pike roads, the enemy came down the turnpike in considerable force of 
 cavalry and infantry, but nothing occurred at this point beyond a little 
 skirmishing with his sharpshooters and reconnoitering parties. The 
 next day Friday, 1st May, this brigade led on the turnpike in the 
 general advance of our forces, and very shortly engaged the enemy 
 under General Sikes, when we had quite a brisk little engagement, 
 artillery and infantry, Major General McLaws commanding. The 
 enemy, (United States regulars,) many of whom- we captured, was 
 promptly repulsed, and our line-of-battle, now formed, was moved 
 rapidly forward to a point on the turnpike south of Chancellorsville, 
 about one and a quarter miles, known as McGees. This brigade con- 
 
tinued here with Major General McLaws' forces confronting the ene- 
 my's line-of-battle in that quarter, until the next day, when it was 
 transferred and occupied our frcnt line immediately on the left of the 
 plank road. In this position we continued, up to the fall of Chancel- 
 lorsville,. engaging the enemy more or less warmly as the progress of 
 (general Jackson's operations on his flank and rear seemed to call for, 
 and as the range of his, General Jackson's, enfilading fire would 
 allow. It was during this service of the brigade that the advance 
 line of skirmishers of the sixth Virginia infantry, Colonel George T. 
 Rodgers, under the immediate command of Captain W. Carter Wil- 
 liams, charged over the enemy's abattis, near the plank road, fired 
 upon him in his rifle pits, captured prisoners from four different 
 regiments and the colors and color-bearer of the one hundred and 
 3eventh Ohio, returning to his position, with his handful of men, with 
 the loss of an officer as prisoner. This gallant and successful sortie 
 was made a little after dark, Saturday the 2d May, when General 
 Jackson's fire was heavy and it was in fighting over the same ground 
 the next morning that the valiant Williams fell, mortally wounded. 
 The standard, a most elegantly finished work, was duly delivered. 
 Immediately following the fall of Chancellorsville. this brigade was 
 sent, with a brigade of Major General McLaws' division, to look after 
 the enemy, then reported to be advancing up the plank road from 
 Fredericksburg, under General Sedgwick Meeting General Wilcox, 
 with his brigade, about the divergence of the plank and turnpike 
 roads, and fin. ling that the enemy was ically and rapidly advancing, 
 it v, as at once determined to meet him at the Salem church. At this 
 point, possessing the advantages of ground, our line was formed. In 
 the meantime Major General McLaws had joined us with the balance 
 of his division. My brigade, in the spirited fight at thi« place, occu- 
 pied the extreme left of the line, lying wholly in the woods, and par- 
 ticipated in the successful resistance made to the enemy's very deter- 
 mined effort to break our lines at that point. Upon the conclusion of 
 this battle, Tuesday, the oth May, the brigade rejoined its division. 
 The conduct of the officers and men, as well in bearing the hardships 
 and privati >ns attending eight consecutive, days of exposure and 
 excitement, as well as in battle, deserve high commendation, and at 
 least this acknowledgement at my hands. The twelfth Virginia, 
 Lieutenant Colonel Field commanding, for its rapid and efficient 
 resistance of the superior forces of the enemy, while covering the 
 formation of our lines-of-battle on the turnpike, Friday, the 1st of 
 May. The sixth Virginia, Colonel Rogers commanding, for its vig- 
 orous pressure and bold sorties upon the enemy and his works around 
 Chancellorsville, Saturday and Sunday, the 2d and 3d of May, for its 
 veteran-like behavior at Salem church, receiving without disorder the 
 enemy's sudden fire while moving by the flanks. And the sixty-first 
 Virginia, Colonel Grover, for its gallaut and successful skirmish with 
 the enemy during the formation of our lines at the Salem church, 
 deserves special mention ; while the part borne by the sixteenth Vir- 
 ginia, Lieutenant Colonel Whitehead commanding, and the foity-first 
 Virginia, Colonel Parham commanding, was everywhere, though less 
 
96 
 
 arduous, well and bravely performed. In this connection it is but 
 due th;it I should record here my high appreciation of the efficient 
 and gallant conduct of the staff officers with me, Captain R. Taylor, 
 A. A. General, and First Lieutenant Richard Walke, ordnance officer. 
 Among the gallant spirits who were seriously wounded, Captain Banks, 
 company E, twelfth Virginia infantry, mr.st be mentioned. He fell 
 among the foremost in the skirmish fight of his regiment on the turn- 
 pike, May 1st, and was at the time commanding our advance guard. 
 His conduct on this occasion was beautifully heroic. The number of 
 prisoners taken by the brigade was large, but cannot be accurately 
 stated, owing to the hurried and detached manner in which they had 
 to be sent to the rear, 
 ties were as follows : 
 
 The casualties of the brigade in all these bat- 
 
 REGIMENT, 
 
 
 Officers. 
 
 
 Men. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Killed. 
 
 Wounded. 
 
 Missing. 
 
 Killed 
 
 Wounded. 
 
 Missing. 
 
 41st •' " 
 
 16th " " 
 
 eist " " 
 
 Delail building bridge 
 at Gerruana 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 i 
 
 3 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 7 
 4 
 1 
 4 
 
 29 
 32 
 20 
 16 
 25 
 
 48 
 5 
 
 3 
 
 35 
 
 86 
 47 
 29 
 IS 
 37 
 
 38 
 
 Total 
 
 S 
 
 12 
 
 6 
 
 21 
 
 122 
 
 91 
 
 255 
 
 
 
 I am, Major, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 WILLIAM MAHONE, 
 
 Brigadier General. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL WILCOX. 
 
 Headquarters Wilcox's Brigade, ) 
 Near Salem Church, May 10, 1863. \ 
 
 Major Thomas S. Mills, 
 
 A. A. General of Division : 
 
 Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of the part 
 borne by my brigade in the recent engagements with the enemy ia 
 this vicinity, commencing on the let and ending on the 5th instant 
 On the 29th ultimo, orders were received to be ready to move at a 
 moment's notice, it being known that the enemy were advancing i:i 
 heavy force from the direction of Chancellorsville. The following 
 day, artillery was heard at intervals, in that vicinity, and on the next., 
 the 1st instant, the brigade moved (under orders) up the plank road, 
 andcame soon within hearing of musketry. Arriving at the intersection 
 of the plank road and the old turnpike, the command followed the 
 latter ; and it was not long before they came under a distant artillery 
 fire, our troops being at the time engaged skirmishing with the enemy 
 about one mile off. Having reported to General McLaws, command- 
 ing on this road, the brigade was ordered to the right, on the mind 
 road; and a battery was directed to be posted, with the view of en 
 gaging one of the enemy's, then sweeping, with its fire, the old turn- 
 pike. Lewis' battery, attached to my command, was soon in position. 
 The enemy, however, ceasing to fire, the brigade was formed in line 
 on the right of General Perry's brigade, and this on the right of Gen- 
 eral Wofford. This brought my command to occupy, in part, a line of 
 rifle-pits running from Banks' ford to within a few hundred yards ci 
 the mine road. Half-past six, P. M., orders were received to advanee 
 to the front. This forward movement was continued, though witb 
 much difficulty, owing to the densely thick forest, till the darkness cf 
 the night rendered it impracticable to go further. The command was 
 halted near Dewson's mills, on Mott run, three-quarters of a : 
 from the Rappahannock; and having established pickets* in front and 
 on our flanks, the command bivouacked for the night. Two com- 
 panies were ordered out ou patrol, with the view of ascertaining 
 whether or not the enemy occupied the river road near Dicker 
 and if not, to communicate with our pickets left near Banks 1 ford. 
 The enemy were found not to occupy the river road, the companies 
 returning, captured three Federal soldiers making their way, so tkej 
 stated, to the United States ford. Ten, P. M , ordehe were rec< 
 to return to the old turnpike, and halt for the remainder of the night, t 
 in rear and near the advance troops on that road. This point wan 
 reached near half-past iwo, A. M., and soon after orders came to return 
 to Baul i 1 i i 1, and to hold it at all hazards — it being reported that th-"? 
 enemy were in force there, and threatened to cross ; the ford 
 reached at daylight. The command had thus been on the march thd 
 entire night. The 2d instant, the brigade remained near Banks' ford 
 7 
 
98 
 
 Lar~e bodies of the enemy's infantry and artillery were seen moving 
 op on the opposite side of the river. Artillery was also heard in the 
 direction of Chancellorsville. Strong pickets were kept up during the 
 night near the ford. 'Having visited my line of pickets on the morn- 
 ing of the 3d instant, I found that the enemy had reduced very much, 
 apparently, his force. The sentinels on post had their haversacks 
 on — a thing unusual. This induced me to believe that much of the 
 force from Banks' ford had been sent to Chancellorsville ; and having 
 beer, ordered the day before, by the commanding General, to leave a 
 small force to watch the ford/if, in my judgment, I was satisfied that 
 the enemy did not intend to cross, and then move up the plank road. 
 Reporting the fact to him I relieved my pickets, being convinced, as 
 stated, that the enemy had removed most of his forces from Banks' 
 ford, and did not intend crossing there. Leaving only about fifty men 
 and two pieces of artillery to guard Banks' ford, my command was 
 feeing formed to march to Chancellorsville, when one of my pickets 
 (infantry) came running from the canal in front of Dr. Taylor's, to 
 report to me that the enemy were advancing up the road between the 
 canal and the river. Hurrying rapidly to the canal, I saw the enemy 
 advancing on the direct road from Fredericksburg, three regiments 
 being seen, the leading one not more than one thousand yards distant. 
 Gathering in my pickets along the canal and at the dam above Tay- 
 lor's — in all less than twenty men — they were deployed as skirmishers 
 on the crest of the hill in front of Dr. Taylor's, and near the canal. 
 Two rifle pieces of Ilugers battery, already prepared to move to Chan- 
 ceDcr.viile, were ordered into position in the battery across the road 
 from Taylor's. While these dispositions were being made, our in- 
 fantry were seen taking position in the rifle-pits near Stanbury's 
 Souse: Huger's two rifle pieces being now in position, opened with 
 a fire of shells upon the enemy, who had halted in the road upon the 
 display of our skirmishers. The advanced one of these regiments 
 EQored down the river in front of Falmouth, and sought shelter from 
 Gmt artillery fire in the rifle-pits along the river. The other regi- 
 ments remained in the road, lying down, the stone knolls on either 
 side of which gave good protection. The enemy being so easily 
 checked by the display of such a small force on our side, I was in- 
 duced to believe that it was only a demonstration to keep us near 
 'Fredericksburg, and prevent reinforcements from going to Chancel- 
 lors ^ille. Seeing a group of officers near Stansbury's house, I rode to 
 them, and met Generals Barksdale and Hays. The former informed 
 ins thajfc the enemy were in considerable force in and below Freder- 
 id:3burg. This was the first intimation I had of the fact, and ex- 
 pressed some anxiety as to his right flank, and said that he should 
 nave reinforcements. I now determined not to move my command up 
 jfcfce road until I knew definitely the intention of the enemy, and 
 Ordered them in the ravine opposite Dr. Taylor's, where they would 
 o'e near, and yet out of sight. 
 
 I new rode to the vicinity of the Marye house to see and confer 
 .Vith General Barksdale. While near this house, I saw great num- 
 bers of the enemy in Fredericksburg, and a batter j in the street, run- 
 
99 
 
 ning near the ceractry, was firing occasional shots at a battery of 
 our's, to the left of th<j plank road. I returned to my command 
 ■without seeing General Barksdale, and, on my return, saw several 
 regiments of the enemy's infantry moving out of the upper edge of 
 the town. 
 
 I had been with my command but a few minutes, when one of Gen- 
 eneral Barksdale's staff reported to me that the General was hard 
 pressed, and wanted me to send him a regiment. 1 instantly ordered 
 the tenth Alabama to move in the direction of the Marye house, and 
 rode rapidly in tint direction myself, and when in the open field and 
 high ground between Stansbury's and the plank road, saw Hays' brigade 
 moving over in the direction of the plank road. This I supposed to 
 be for the support of General Barksdale; but, upon inquiry from 
 one of Hays' regiments, learned that the enemy had taken Mirye's 
 hill, and a portion of two of Barksdale's regiments, and that Hays' 
 brigade was falling back to the telegraph road. Soon a courier from 
 General Barksdale confirmed this report, and with a suggestion 
 from General Barksdale that I also had better fall back to the tele- 
 graph road. 
 
 On the left of the plank road the ground in rear of Maryc's hill is 
 higher, and overlooks and commands well that hill. Believing that 
 my own and Hays' brigade could form in line extending from near 
 Stansbury's house along the crests of hills towards the plank road, 
 and contest the field, at least for a time, successfully with the enemy, 
 [ asked General Hays' not to cross the plank road, but to remain 
 with me ; this he declined doing, having been ordered to fall back to 
 the telegraph road, and was soon ought of sight. 
 
 Thus far I have given a simple narrative of incidents as they oc- 
 curred. Finding myself alone on the left of the plank road, with the 
 enemy in full view on the crests of the first range of hills in re ir oi 
 Fredericksburg, and with three times my own force clearly s< en and 
 in line, I felt it a duty to delay the enemy as much as possible in his 
 advance, and to endeavor to check him all that I could, should he 
 move forward on the plank road. I, with this view, formed my brig- 
 ade promptly in line along the crests of the hill, running near 
 Stansbury's house, at light angles to the plank road. Two rifle 
 pieces of Lewis' battery were placed in position to the rear of the 
 left of my line, and two slightly in front of my right, which rested 
 some five or six hundred yards in front of Guest's house; skirmish- 
 ers were thrown forward, covering my entire front. As soon as the 
 four pieces of artillery vere in position, they opened fire upon the 
 enemy's lines, some eight or nine hundred yards to the front. This 
 held the enemy in check for some time. At length they depl 
 skirmishers to the front, and began to advance. This I , an 1 
 
 delayed by frequent halts — they seemed reluctant to advance. The 
 enemy now brought a six-gun battery to the front, on the left of the 
 plank road, not far from M irye's hous?, and opened with a fire of shells. 
 upon my line. The ei I - ; now advanced, and col- 
 
 our's, not nearer, however, than three hundred and fifty or Tour hun- 
 dred yards, their solid lines remaining some distance behind the skir- 
 
100 
 
 mishers. The enemy's battery having fired for some time, both the 
 skirmishers and lines in rear advanced. They had also moved by a 
 flank across the plank road, and it was reported to me that they were 
 moving up on the far side of the road, and were in a line with my 
 right flank. The artillery was now directed to withdraw. Then the 
 skirmishers rejoined their regiments, and all moved to the rear on 
 the river road, half a mile in rear of Dr. Taylor's, where they were 
 halted for a few minutes. 
 
 In this affair with the enemy, Lieutenant Barksdale, of Lewis' 
 battery received a severe wound in the shoulder, from a piece of 
 shell ; three infantry killed, and eighteen or twenty wounded by skir- 
 mishers. From this slight affair with the enemy, I felt confident if 
 forced to retire along the plank road, that I could do so without pre- 
 cipitancy, and that ample time could be given for reinforcements to 
 reach us from Chancellorsville ; and moreover, I believed that should 
 the enemy pursue, he could be attacked in rear by General Earl^, 
 reinforced by Generals Hays and Barksdale. I now directed Major 
 Collins, Virginia cavalry, who was with me, with some forty or fifty 
 men, to move over to the plank road, slightly in rear of Downman's, 
 and dismounting a part of his men in rear of a thicket of pine, to de- 
 ploy them to the rigbt and left of the read, as skirmishers. The com- 
 mand then moved on to the red church, (Salem church,) on the plank 
 road. The enemy followed up the plank road, and halted when the 
 skirmishers of Major Collins were seen by them. Having examined 
 the ground near the toll-gate, I determined to make a short stand 
 there. My brigade was then moved back in line from Salem church, 
 and halted in rear of the gate ; two rifle pieces were placed in the 
 road, and we waited the approach of the enemy. They were soon 
 heard to fire on Major Collins' skirmishers, who retired after a sbort 
 skirmish, and at length appeared in lines, preceded by skirmishers. 
 Major Collins' men now retired to the rear, and skirmishers were de- 
 ployed from two regiments to their front. Our artillery opened fire 
 upon the enemy's advancing lines ; this caused a halt, and a slight 
 fire ensued between the skirmishers. The enemy now brought up ar- 
 tillery, and began a brnk shelling of our lines. At this time Major 
 Geggin, A. A. General, to General McLaws, reported to me that 
 General McLaws had sent three brigades to my support, and that they 
 would soon arrive. These brigades were directed to be halted in rear 
 of the church, and out of view of the enemy. In this affair with the 
 enemy. Lieutenant Cobb, of Lewis' battery, received a severe wound 
 in the arm, rendering it impossible to command his pieces longer, they 
 were then ordered to the rear ; three of the infantry were killed and 
 fifteen wounded. My command was now ordered back to the church. 
 The conduct of my men during all this time was such as I knew it 
 would be, leaving nothing to be desired, and I felt the utmost confidence 
 in my abilily to make a successful stand at the church with the three 
 supporting brigades. At Salem church, line of battle was formed, crosss- 
 ing the roadat right angles; two regiments of my brigade, the eleventh 
 and fourteenth Alabama, were on the left of the road, the latter on the 
 left of the two ; the tenth Alabama on the right next to the road, and the 
 
101 
 
 eighth Alabama on the right of the tenth. There was an interval of 
 seventy-five or eighty yards between the left of the tenth and the 
 right of the eleventh. In this interval on the road four pieces of ar- 
 tillery were in battery ; the ninth Alabama was in rear of the tenth, 
 one company of the ninth being stationed in the school-house to the 
 right of the church, and in front some sixty yards. A second com- 
 pany of this regiment was placed in the church, with orders to fire 
 from the windows of the lower floor, and from the windows of the 
 gallery, (This church being occupied with furniture of refugees from 
 Fredericksburg.) Such was the formation of my brigade for battle. 
 I am thus particular in giving details for the reason that the principal 
 attack was made at the church and its immediate vicinity. Kershaw's 
 brigade was on the right of my brigade, Semraes and Mahone on the 
 left — Mahone to the left of Semmes. The brigades had not been in 
 position long, before the enemy were seen advancing up the plank 
 road, in line of battle ; their lines crossed the road at right angles; 
 a field battery accompanied their advance. This was halted at the 
 gate, about one thousand yards distant, and soon opened with a brisk 
 fire of shells upon our battery near the church; the two batteries 
 fired some fifteen or twenty minutes, when ours was withdrawn, for 
 the want of ammunition. The enemy then threw shells to the right 
 and left of the church, through the woods, endeavoring to reach our in- 
 fantry. These latter were w dl protected while lying down, an 1 no cas- 
 ualties occurred from explosions of shells. The enemy's artillery 
 ceased to fire near five o'clock, P. M. Their skirmishers then advanced, 
 and a spirited fire ensued between the skirmishers for some fifteen 
 or twenty minutes. Ours then retired, firing as they fell back ; the en- 
 emy's skirmishers pursued, followed by their solid lines of infantry, an 1 
 Ftill a third line in rear, on either side of the road. As they advanced from 
 the toll-gate, were open fields, and the ground slightly ascending ; these 
 fields continued to Avithin about two hundred and fifty yards of the 
 church, and then woods, thick, but of small growth. When the front 
 line of the enemy reached this wood, they made a slight halt, then giving 
 three cheers, they came with a rush, driving our skirmishers rapidly 
 before them. Our men held their fire till their men came within less 
 than eighty yards, and then delivered a close and terrible fire upon them, 
 killing and wounding many, and causing many of them to waver and 
 give way. The enemy still press on, surround the school house and 
 capture the entire company of the ninth Alabama, stationed in it. and 
 pressing hard upon the regiment in rear of the school-houso. tl. 
 it into confusion and disorder, and forces it to yield ground. The ninth 
 Alabama regiment in rear of this regiment, spring forward as one 
 man, and. with the rapidity of lightning, restores the continuity of 
 our line, breaking the lines of the enemy by its deadly fire, and forc- 
 ing him to give way, and following him so that he could not rally, 
 retake the school-house, free the captured company, and in turn take 
 their captors ; the entire line of the enemy on the right of the road 
 is repulsed, and our men follow in rapid pursuit. The regiment that 
 had given way to the first onset of th? enemy now returned to the 
 attack and joined in the pursuit. The enemy did not assail 
 
102 
 
 with the same spirit on the left of the road, and were more easily 
 repulsed, and now are followed on either side of the road, which is 
 crowded with a confused mass of the discomfitted enemy. With a good 
 battery to play upon this retreating mass, the carnage would have 
 been terrific. There was no rallying or reforming of this line. An- 
 other line came up the plank road at a double-quick, and filing to the 
 right and left, formed line in front of my brigade. This line was 
 scarcely formed before they were broken by the fire of my men, and 
 fled to the rear. The pursuit continued as far as the toll-gate. 
 Semmes' brigade and my own were the only troops that followed the 
 retreating enemy. In rear of the gate wore heavy reserves of the 
 enemy. Our men were now halted and reformed, it being quite dark, 
 and retired not pursued by the enemy, leaving pickets far tp the front 
 in the open field. 
 
 The vigor of the enemy's attack at the church, was doubtless due 
 to the fact that they believed there was only one brigade to resist 
 them, and that they anticipated an easy affair of it ; while the number 
 of dead and wounded left on the field, attests the obstinacy of the 
 resistance of our men — two hundred of the former and more than 
 one hundred and fifty of the latter ; and largely over two hundred 
 prisoners not wounded, and one Federal flag captured. Thus ended 
 this spirited conflict at Salem church — a bloody repulse to the 
 enemy, rendering entirely useless to him his little success of the 
 morning at Fredericksburg. The rear of our army at Chancellorsville, 
 was now secure and free from danger, and the sixth army corps of 
 the enemy and a part of the second, were now content to remain on 
 the defensive. 
 
 I beg to assure the Major General commanding, that the conduct 
 of both officers and men of the brigade, was in the highest degree 
 creditable. They were furiously attacked by superior forces, and not 
 only stood their ground but repulsed the enemy with great loss, 
 pursued him, and encountering a second line in their pursuit, they 
 scattered and dispersed this body also ; night and want of ammunition 
 prevented a further pursuit. This success, so brilliant for our men, 
 was dearly earned by the sacrifice of the lives of seventy -five of the 
 noble sons of Alabama, and the wounding of three hundred and seventy- 
 two, and forty -eight missing, an aggregate of four hundred and nintty- 
 Jive; of the missing, the most fell into the hands of the enemy, 
 woune'ed in the early part of the day near Stansbury's and afterwards 
 at the toll gate. Six officers were killed and twenty-three wounded, the 
 killed were Captain It. A. McCrary, eighth Alabama, a valuable officer 
 much lamented by his regiment ; Captain W. C. Murphy, ninth Ala- 
 bama, highly distinguished at the battle of Williamsburg, where he 
 received two severe wounds. He fell at Salem church, in the thickest 
 <of the fight, and in advance of his men. Lieutenant Harper, tenth 
 Alabama, Lieutenant Strudwick, eleventh Alabama, Lieutenants Bank- 
 ston and Cox, fourteenth Alabama, all fell fighting with the heroism 
 of veteran soldiers, against greatly superior forces of the enemy. 
 Among the severely wounded, are Colonel Royston, eighth Alabama, 
 Colonel Pinkard, fourteenth Alabama, Major McCord, fourteenth Ala- 
 
103 
 
 bama, Captain Cook, tenth Alabama, Lieutenants Barksdale and Cobb, 
 Lewis' battery, all alike distinguished for their intelligence ami valor. 
 
 I cannot call to your notice all officers that are deserving of espe- 
 cial praise, for the conduct of all was excellent ; I will, however, 
 report that the five regimental commanders, Colonel Royston, eighth 
 Alabama, and after his severe wound, Lieutenant Colonel Herbert, 
 who commanded the eighth Alabama; Colonel Pinkard, fourteefitjtt 
 Alabama; Colonel Forney, tenth Alabama; Colonel Sanders, eleventh 
 Alabama; Major Williams, ninth Alabama, were intelligent, energetic 
 and gallant in commanding, directing and leading their men. The 
 brigade slept on the field at Salem church on the night of the 3rd 
 instant. On the morning of the 4th, the enemy were seen in our front 
 and fired occasional shots during the day, from a battery some ono thous- 
 and two hundred yards distant. Three additional brigades arrived on 
 the 4th, and late in the afternoon, a general advance was made against 
 the enemy — Early on the right. Anderson in the centre and McLawfl 
 holding his position on the left, the enemy gave way rapidly, and was 
 soon driven across the river, having been on this side little over 
 twenty-four hours. I followed the enemy in the direction of Banks* 
 ford, with two regiments, eighth and ninth Alabama, of my brigade, 
 supported by Kershaw's brigade ; this advance being made about half 
 past nine, P. M. Above and near Banks' ford, thirteen officer'-' and 
 one hundred and fifty men were taken prisomrs, among the olhcera, 
 one Lieutenant Colonel, one Major and two Captains. No loss on our 
 side in this affair. Captains King and May, ninth Alabama, were 
 distinguished for their activity and gallantry, having captured these 
 prisoners with their two companies. Manly's battery rendered valua- 
 ble services in shelling the retreating enemy near Banks' ford, 
 twenty of the enemy were wounded by this shelling and fell into OUT 
 hands the next day, and many were killed. 
 
 The morning of the 5th instant, the brigade moved in the direction 
 of Chancellorsville, in common with the other brigades of the division, 
 and bivouacked during the night, to the left and near Chancellorsville. 
 Next morning moved out to take our position in line of battle, bat 
 soon ascertained that the enemy had retired and recrosscd the Rappa- 
 hannock, the brigade then returned to its former camp near Banks' 
 ford. Whilst ray entire command acqaited themselves handsomely in 
 their engagement of the 3rd instant, with the enemy, I cannot close 
 this report without calling to your especial notice the conduct of one 
 entire regiment of the brigade, the ninth Alabama. This regiment, 
 the weakest in numbers, occupied a position in rear of the strongest 
 regiment of the brigade ; this strong regiment hotly pressed by the 
 enemy in heavy force was thrown into confusion an I gave way, the 
 ninth Alabama, sprang forward instantly into the vacant space l< :t 
 in our line and boldly confronting the enemy and by a close and 
 deadly fire of musketry, broke his line and drove him back. 
 
 To' my staff, Captain W. K. Winn, A. A. General, and Lieutenant 
 M. M. Lindsay, aid- de-camp, I am under obligation3 for 
 cheerfully rendered during our recent operations. Captain Yi I 
 was conspicious for his gallantry at Salem church, in assisting to rally 
 
104 
 
 fc?icl reform promptly, one of my regiments that had been thrown into 
 disorder and confusion, and while thus engaged, his horse was shot, 
 to Major Goggin, A. A. General to General McLaws, I am also in- 
 debted for his gallant and valuable services, rendered at the same time 
 and on the same occasion. I also beg to commend to your favorable 
 notice, my two couriers, private Ridgeway, of the eleventh Alabama, 
 end private Brundidge, of the ninth Alabama, the former had his 
 horse killed at Salem church, 
 
 I am sir, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 0. M. WILCOX, 
 Brigadier General commanding, fyc. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL HETH. 
 
 Headquarters A. P. Kill's Light Division, 
 
 May 25tJt, 18G3. 
 
 To Major General J. E. B. Stuart : 
 
 General: I have the honor to make the following report of opera- 
 tions of the several commands under my orders, at different times, in 
 the interval between leaving the vicinity of Hamilton's Crossing on 
 the morning of the 1st of May, until the termination of the opera- 
 tions at Chancellorsville on the 3d of May, 1863: 
 
 My brigade moved from Hamilton's Crossing on the morning of the 
 1st of May, on the plank road leading to Chancellorsville. When 
 within three miles of Chancellorsville, I received an order from Major 
 General Hill to report in person to him. On doing so I was ordered 
 to take the brigades of McGowan, Lane, and my own, and advance 
 by a cross-road leading from the plank road to the old pike, a distance 
 of one and a half miles ; on reaching the old pike, to feel my way 
 and advance in the direction of Chancellorsville. When I reached 
 the old pike I found General McLaws,with a portion of his command, 
 some half a mile to the rear of where I struck the pike. On 
 advancing, my skirmishers became hotly engaged, and as it had 
 become quite dark, a further advance was not made that night. Early 
 in the morning I was ordered to open with a battery, under the imme- 
 diate charge of Major Fegratn, upon the enemy's position, and con- 
 tinue the firing for about half an hour. Our fire was returned by 
 the enemy. Being informed by Major Pegram that his shot were 
 doing the enemy no damage, I directed him to cease tiring. Soon 
 after I received orders to move with ray command, crossing the plank 
 road, and following the rest of the division. General Hill, soon after 
 passing the old furnace, directed me to resume command of my brig- 
 ade. On reaching a position in rear of Chancellorsville, I was 
 ordered to form line of battle on General Colston's left. General 
 Colston advanced his line before the formation was completed, and 
 rendered a compliance with the order impossible. I then received 
 orders to form on General Pender's left. This was done. I also 
 received orders to go to the support of any general officer requesting 
 aid. After advancing in line of battle about one and a half miles on 
 the left of and parallel to the plank road, Trcccivcd a message from 
 Brigadier General J. II. Jones, requesting support. I put my brig- 
 ade in motion and advanced, passing Melzie Chancellor's house, 
 and entered the thick oak woods on the left of the plank road. On 
 entering these woods the enemy opened upon my command a heavy 
 fire of artillery, doing us some damage. It was now becoming quite 
 dark. The undergrowth was so thick and entangled that it was 
 impossible to advance in any order. I ordered the brigade to reform 
 on the plank road, which had scarcely been done, when orders were 
 received from General Hill to move down the road by the flank. On 
 
106 
 
 reaching the position in the road occupied by General Hill, he directed 
 me to deploy two regiments — one on the right, the other on the left 
 of the road, to check the enemy, who were then advancing. These 
 movements had not been completed before the enemy opened heavily 
 upon the fifty-fifth Virginia regiment. It was here that gallant and 
 promising officer, Colonel F. Mallory, was killed. Soon after, Gen. 
 Hill informed me that he was wounded, and directed me to take com- 
 mand of the division. General Lane's brigade, at this time, was in 
 line of battle on the right of the road, occupying the breastworks 
 from which the enemy had been driv.en. I directed General Pender 
 to form his brigade in line of battle on the left of the road, occupy- 
 ing the deserted breastworks of the enemy. Before the remaining 
 brigades could be placed in line of battle, the enemy, under Sickles, 
 advanced and attacked General Lane's right. He was handsomely 
 repulsed by the eighteenth, twenty- eighth, and a portion of the thirty- 
 third North Carolina regiments. This attack was made by the enemy 
 under cover of heavy shelling. These regiments behaved with com- 
 mendable courage and zeal in repelling at least five times their num- 
 bers. MeGowan's brigade was now ordered on Lane's right, and soon 
 after, Archer's brigade on MeGowan's right. Thomas' brigade, posted 
 on the left of the road, and on Pender's left. Heth's brigade was 
 held as a reserve. In this position the division remaiued until 
 just after daybreak, when Heth's brigade was ordered up. Two regi- 
 ments — the fortieth and forty-seventh Virginia — were placed on the 
 right of the road, supporting Lane's left ; the fifty-fifth and twenty- 
 second Virginia battalion on the left, to support Pender's right. 
 Major General Stuart now ordered me to prepare to advance. I 
 ordered Generals McGowan and Archer to move forward, as the 
 line formed by their brigades w r as not perpendicular to the plank road, 
 but inclined to the right and rear. Archer's brigade only advanced a 
 short distance, before it became hotly engaged, the enemy being 
 strongly posted behind breastworks, making an angle with the plank 
 road. I now gave the order for a general advance. The light divis- 
 ion (A. P. Hill's) forming the front line, opened the battle of Chan- 
 cellorsville. Generals Pender and Thomas, on the left, found the 
 enemy posted behind a breastwork of logs and brush, immediately 
 in their front, at a distance of about one hundred and fifty yards The 
 breastworks were charged and carried — the men never hesitating for 
 a moment, driving the enemy before them, and pursuing him until a 
 second line was reached, which was in like manner broken. A third 
 line of the enemy was now encountered. After a desperate and pro- 
 longed fight without supports, or a piece of artillery to aid them, but 
 on their part subjected to heavy artillery fire of from ten to twelve 
 pieces, these gallant brigades fell back, in order, to the breastworks, 
 from which the enemy had been driven, and which they held until 
 reinforcements were brought up, when again the attack was renewed, 
 and the enemy driven from this part of the field of battle. Lane's 
 brigade, supported by the fortieth and forty-seventh Virginia regi- 
 ments, (Heth's brigade,) and MeGowan's brigade advanced and 
 charged the enemy behind his breastworks, who was supported by 
 
107 
 
 twenty-nine pieces of artillery. I cannot conceive of any body of 
 men ever being subjected to a more galling fire than this force. The 
 brigades of Lane, McGowan, and a portion of Heth's, (Colonel Brock- 
 enbrough commanding,) notwithstanding, drove the enemy from his 
 works and held them for some time, but were finally compelled to 
 fall back, which was unavoidable, from the course that affairs had 
 assumed on the right of the line. As soon as Archer's brigade 
 commenced to move, it became hotly engaged. General Archer was 
 compelled to conform his line of battle to that of the enemy, which, 
 as I before remarked, in his front, was not perpendicular, but formed 
 a considerable angle with the plank road. McGowan's right thus 
 became separated from Archer's left, and -the interval increased as 
 the enemy were driven before them, until McGowan and Lane found 
 that their right flanks were seriously threatened. It was not until 
 this occurred that these two brigades fell back to the line of works 
 from which they first commenced to advance. Many valuable officers 
 and men were lost in the charge, and especially when falling back. It 
 was here that General McGowan was wounded, the command of hit- 
 brigade devolving on Colonel Edwards, who was, Immediately after 
 assuming command, seriously wounded. The command of McGow- 
 an's brigade next devolved on Colonel Hamilton, first South Carolina 
 regiment, who commanded the brigade during the remainder of the 
 action. General Archer advanced with his brigade, conforming his 
 line of battle to that of the enemy. lie charged the works in hi? 
 front, and without the least halt or hesitation, carried them, driving 
 the enemy before him, who outnumbered him five to one. General 
 Archer succeeded in capturing a battery of four guns. By his gal- 
 lant attack he secured the key to the enemy's ppsitiou, clearing a hill 
 and open space in his front, and thus gaining for our artillery a posi- 
 tion, from which they were enabled to silence the twenty-nine gun 
 battery of the enemy, which had inflicted so much loss upon our lines. 
 From this position our artillery had also a raking fire on the encmy'e 
 works on our right. General Archer, after carrying the hill referred 
 to, advanced beyond the open space and attacked the enemy on hi? 
 right. He was joined by Major General Anderson. About this time 
 tho enemy threatened to turn Thomas* and Pender's left. Reinforce- 
 ments were ordered to them, among which, McGowan's brigade, (Gol. 
 Hamilton commanding,) formed a part. As soon as reinforcements 
 reached Pender and Thomas a general advance took place, and, aided 
 by our artillery, which had not been able to assist us in any previous 
 attack, the works of the enemy were cleared, ami retreating rapidly, 
 he fell back in the direction of United States ford. Thus ended the 
 battle of Chanccllorsville. 
 
 Where all behaved so well, it would appear like unjust discrimina- 
 tion, in mentioning individuals. Generals Pender, Archer, and 
 Thomas deserve, for their successful attacks, to be specially men- 
 tioned, and under the murderous fire of artillery to which they were 
 particularly exposed, no officers or men could havo done better than 
 Gens. Lane and McGowan and Col. Brockenbrough. "£he light division 
 (A. P. Hill's) although unfortunately deprived of the presence of 
 
108 
 
 their gallant commander, shored on this day that the spirit with 
 which he had inspired them by success, on so many battle-fields, waa 
 still present; and each and all did their duty. A list of killed and 
 wounded has been furnished. 
 
 I cannot close this report without adding, that my personal staff — 
 Captains Finney and Harrison. Lieutenants Selden and Heth, and 
 acting engineer officer, W. 0. Slade — deserve my thanks for their gal- 
 lantry and coolness on all occasions during the battle. 
 
 For acts of individual gallantry, I respectfully refer you to the 
 reports of brigade and regimental commanders. 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 H. HETH, Brigadier General.. 
 
■■•.•■•■ 
 
 REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL RODES. 
 
 Headquarters D. H. Hill's Division, > 
 May 25th, 1863. J 
 Major A. S. Pendleton : 
 
 Majcr : 1 have the honor to make the subjoined report of the part 
 taken in the engagement at Chancellorsville, and the movements that 
 preceded it, by the division of Major General D. II. Hill, then under 
 my command, composed of the brigades of Doles, Colquitt, Iverson, 
 Ramscur and Rodcs. 
 
 Early on the morning of Wednesday, April 29th, it being an- 
 nounced that the Federal army had crossed the Rappahannock river, 
 I marched from Grace church to Hamilton's Crossing, and was placed 
 in position on. the extreme right of the army, extending — perpendic- 
 ular to the railroad — to Massaponax cret k. A portion of Ramseur's 
 brigade being at the time on picket on the river, he was ordered, 
 with the whole of his brigade, to occupy the south-side of the creek, 
 guarding the ford near its mouth. My line was strongly and 
 rapidly fortified by the troops, and held, until the morning of the 
 1st May, without molestation, except from the artillery fire of the 
 enemy. 
 
 Much credit is due to Colonel J. Thompson Brown and Lieuten- 
 ant Colonel Thomas II. Carter, of the artillery, for their energy and 
 judgment in assisting to render this line impregnable to assault. 
 Ramseu's line was partially exposed to an enfilading fire from the 
 heights across the river, but such was the accuracy cf the fire of the 
 Whit worth Battery. Lieutenant Hurt commanding, stationed with 
 General Ramseur, that their batteries were scattered, and their at- 
 tempts in this direction rendered unavailing. 
 
 At dawn, on May 1st, my troops were again in motion, advancing 
 from Hamilton's Crossing, by the military road, to its junction with 
 the Fredericksburg and Orange Court-House plank road, and thence 
 up the plank road, for about two miles. At this point I became aware 
 of a serious engagement on my right, between a portion of the troops 
 of Major General Anderson, then advancing by the old turnpike, and 
 Sikes' division of regulars, Federal army. Being in advance of the 
 corps, I continued to move forward for about half a mile, keeping out 
 skirmishers towards the enemy to prevent annoyance. The firing 
 .becoming very heavy and close, the column was halted by General 
 Jackson, and General Ramseur's brigade detached, by his order, to 
 support that portion of Anderson's division, which was in front of my 
 division. This brigade became sharply engaged under Anderson, 
 behaving, with great coolness and gallantry, a^ [-have been informed 
 by Generals Hill and Anderson. Brigadier General Ramseur handled 
 his own skirmishers and ^ith great skill and gallantry. The rest of the 
 division moved by the right flank to the top of the ridge near the road, 
 and after being established in line of battle, was directed by Lieuten- 
 ant General Jackson to shelter itself, and await orders. Subse- 
 
110 
 
 quently it was moved forward into the woods, but, though the skir- 
 mishers became engaged, capturing several prisoners, the main body 
 of the enemy had retired, before I was pertniltcd to advance. Re- 
 maining in line of battle until about sunset, the division then re- 
 sumed its march up the plank road, and bivouacked that night near 
 Vidrich's tavern, about one mile and a quarter from Chancellore- 
 ville. 
 
 At an early hour on the morning of the 2d,*tver3on's brigade was 
 ordered to relieve Ramseur's, still on duty with Anderson, in front. 
 Iverson subsequently overtook the division on the march. About 
 eight o'clock, the route was resumed, this division still in advance. 
 Turning short to the left, about one half mile beyond Aldrich's, we 
 followed the mine road, for the purpose of getting on the right and in 
 rear of Hooker's army. On arriving at the old furnace on this road, 
 the twenty-third Georgia regiment, Colonel Best, was detached by 
 General Jackson's order, to guard a road from the direction of Chan- 
 cellorsville, by which the enemy might threaten the main column. 
 This regiment, with the exception of the Colonel and a few men, was 
 subsequently captured by the enemy, who made a vigorous assault 
 upon the ordnance train and artillery then passing, but were gallantly 
 repulsed by Colonel J. Thompson Brown, commanding battallion 
 artillery. Colonel Best's report of the manner in which his regiment 
 discharged its important duty, and its fate, is enclosed. A court of 
 inquiry on the subject was prevented J> : ~ke removal of Colquitt's 
 brigade, to which it was attached, from this department to that of 
 North Carolina. 
 
 On reaching the plank rotid again, about two miles northwest of 
 Chancellorsville, our cavalry wad found skirmishing with that of the 
 enemy, and a delay was caused by an endeavor on our part to entrap 
 diem. At this point, it having been determined to make a still further 
 >i tour towards the enemy's rear, the column was moved across to the 
 old turnpike road, and was formed in line of-battle about four o'clock, 
 P. M., two and-a-half miles from Chancellorsville. The line was 
 formed perpendicular to the road, by which it was equally divided. 
 Iverson's brigade on the left, Colquitt's on the right, Rodes on the 
 left centre, Doles on the right centre; the right of Rodes and left of 
 Doles resting on the road. Ramseur's brigade was placed in the rear 
 of Colquitt as a support, and to guard the flank. By five o'clock, 
 Trimble's division, under command of Brigadier General Colston, had 
 formed about one hundred yard^ in rear of my command, and iu con- 
 tinuation of Ramseur's line. A. P. Hill's division formed the third, 
 line in rear of Colston. Each brigade commander received positive 
 instructions, which were well understood. The whole line was to 
 push ahead from the beginnings keeping the road for its guide. The 
 position at Talley's house was to be carried at all hazards, as, from 
 the best information that could be obtained, it commanded the second 
 position of the enemy at Melzie Chancellor's, house. After taking the 
 heights at Talley's, if the enemy showed a determined front on the 
 next ridge, my men were to be sheltered until our artillery could come 
 up and dislodge them — under no other circumstances was there to be 
 
Ill 
 
 any pause in the advance. As there was possibility of pressure on 
 my right flank, Ramseur was directed to watch that flank carefully, 
 thus leaving Colquitt free to push ahead, without fear from that quar- 
 ter. For similar reasons, the left regiment of Iverson was placed 
 perpendicular to line-of-battle, with orders to- follow the advance by 
 the flank. At five and a quarter, P. M., the word was given to movo 
 forward, the line of sharpshooters being about four hundred yards in 
 advance. In consequence of the dense mass of undergrowth, and 
 orders not having been promptly given to the skirmishers of Rodes' 
 brigade, some Httle delay was caused when the main line readied the 
 skirmisher's line. This latter was put in motion again by my order, 
 and, soon after, the Alabama brigade encountered the fire of the enemy. 
 At once the line-of-battle rushed forward with a yell, and Doles at 
 this moment debouched from the woods and encountered a force of the 
 enemy and a battery of two guns entrenched. Detaching two regi- 
 ments to "flank the position, he charged without halting, sweeping 
 everything before him, and pressing on to Talley's, gallantly 
 carried the works there, and captured five guns, by a similar 
 flank movement of a portion of his command. So complete was the 
 success of the whole manoeuvre, and such was the surprise of the 
 enemy, that scarcely any organized resistance was met with after the 
 first volley was fired. They fled in the wildest confusion, leaving the 
 field strewn with arms, accoutrements, clothing, caissons and field 
 pieces in every direction. The larger portion of his force, as well as 
 entrenchments, ware drawn up at light angles to our line, and being 
 thus taken in the flank and rear they did not wait for the attack. On 
 reaching the ridge at Melzie Chancellor's, which had an extended line 
 of works, facing in our direction, an effort was made to cheek the 
 flying columns. For a few moments they held this position, but once 
 more my gallant troops dashed at them with a wild shout, and tiling a 
 hasty volley they continu-d their headlong flight to Chancellorsvillr. 
 It was at this point that Trimble's division which had followed closely 
 in my rear, headed by the brave and accomplished Colston, went over 
 tire works with my men, and from this time until the close of the 
 engagement, the two divisions were mingled together in inextricable 
 confusion. Pushing forward as rapidly as possible, the troops soon 
 entered a second piece of woods thickly filled with undergrowth. The 
 right becoming entangled in an abattis, near the enemy's first line of 
 fortifications, caused the line to halt, and such was the confusion and 
 darkness that it was not deemed advisable to make a further advance. 
 I at once -sent word to Lieutenant General Jackson urging him to push 
 forward the fresh troops of the reserve line, in order that mine might 
 be reformed. Riding forward on the plank road, I satisfied myself 
 that the enemy had no line-of-battle between our troops and the heights 
 of Chancellorsville, and on my return, informed Colonel Crutchfield, 
 chief of artillery of the corps, of the fact, and he opened his batteries 
 on that point. The enemy instantly responded by a most terrific fire, 
 which silenced our guns, but did little execution on the infantry, as it 
 was mainly directed dDwn the plank road, which was uncovered, 
 except by our artillery. When the fire ceased, General Hill's troops 
 
112 
 
 were brought up, and as soon as a portion were deployed in my front 
 as skiunishers, I commenced withdrawing my men, under orders from 
 the Lieutenant General. During this glorious victory and pursuit of 
 more than two miles, I had only three brigades really engaged. Gen- 
 eral Colquitt soon after starting was misled by the appearance of a 
 small body of the enemy's cavalry, and notwithstanding the instruc- 
 tions to himself and General Ramseur, halted his brigade to resist 
 what he supposed to be an attack on his flank. This error was dis- 
 covered too late to enable him to do more than follow the victorious 
 troops of Doles over the field they had won. Ramseur being ordered 
 to follow Colquitt and watch his flank, was necessarily deprived of an 
 active participation. On withdrawing my troops, I was directed to 
 see that Jones' brigade of Colston's division, was so placed as to guard 
 a road coming in from the direction of the furnace on the right, and 
 to relieve, with one of my brigades, McGowan's brigade, of Hill's 
 division, then guarding a second road from the same direction, which 
 entered the plank road further up. Whilst preparing to make these 
 dispositions, a sudden and rapid musketry fire was opened in front, 
 which created a little confusion among the troops — order was speedily 
 restored, however. Apparently this firing proceeded entirely from 
 our own men, as not a ball from the enemy came within sound. There 
 being no other place but the open ground at Melzie Chancellor's suita- 
 ble for such a purpose, I withdrew all my troops, except Colquitt's 
 brigade, then on guard, to reform them at that point. Finding the 
 entrenchments partially occupied by Paxton's brigade, I formed line- 
 of-battle in connection with him. At this time the enemy opened a 
 similar terrific fire of artillery to that which had taken place just 
 before my withdrawal, which caused much confusion and disorder, 
 rendering it necessary for me to place guards across the road to stop 
 stragglers. Shortly after this occurrence, I was informed that Lieuten- 
 ant General Jackson was wounded, and also received a message from 
 Major General Hill that he likewise was disabled, and that the com- 
 mand of the corps devolved on me. Without loss of time, I commu- 
 nicated with Brigadier Generals Heth and Colston, commanding res- 
 pectively the divisions of A P. Hill and Trimble, and made the 
 necessary arrangements for a renewal of the attack in the morning, it 
 being agreed that the troops were not in condition to resume opera- 
 tions that night. Just at this time, (about two o'clock,) the enemy 
 made an attack on our right, but being feeble in its character, and 
 promptly met, it lasted but a short time. Very soon after, Major 
 General J. E. B. Stuart, who had been sent for by Major Pendleton, 
 A. A. General of Lieutenant General Jackson, arrived on the ground 
 and assumed command. I deem it proper to state that I yielded the 
 command to General Stuart, not because I thought him entitled to it — 
 belonging, as he does, to a different arm of the service — nor because I 
 was unwilling to assume the responsibility of carrying on the attack, 
 as I had already made the necessary arrangements and they remained 
 unchanged, but because, from the manner in which I had been informed 
 that he had been sent for, I inferred that General Jackson or General 
 Hill had instructed Major Pendleton to place him in command, and 
 
113 
 
 • 
 
 for the still stronger reason that I feared that the information that the 
 command had devolved on me, unknown, except to my own immediate 
 troops, would, in their shaken condition, be likely to increase tha 
 demoralization of the corps. General Stuart's name was well and very 
 favorably known to the army, and would tend, I hoped, to re-establish 
 confidence. I yielded because I wos satisfied the good of the eervioe 
 demanded it. 
 
 On the morning of May 3d, being the rear division, I established 
 my line with Rodes' and Iverson's brigades, on the left of the plank 
 road, as before, Ramseur's brigade on the right, then Doles', and 
 finally Colquitt, on the extreme right. The attack was renewed about. 
 six o'clock, A. M.; and soon after, I received orders to move forward, 
 which I promptly obeyed, first giving directions to each brigade coin 
 mander to push forward until the enemy was encountered, and engage 
 him vigorously, moving over friend and foe alike, if in t'ie way. 
 At the moment of starting, our cavalry reported a strong demonstra- 
 tion of the enemy on our extreme left, and Colquitt was detached to 
 oppose it. He was subsequently moved to the extreme right, to sup- 
 port a portion of General A. P. Hill's troops, and ultimately got 
 heavily and handsomely engaged on the l^ft of my division, as will be 
 Been hereafter. On account of the dense forest, the undulating char- 
 acter of the ground, and the want of an adequate staff, it was not in 
 my power, during the subsequent movements, to give a great deal cf 
 personal attention to the actions of any of my commands, except. 
 Rodes' and Ramseur's brigades, which were next to the read; but my 
 orders were faithfully executed by each brigade commander. Moving 
 forward steadily, with no material stoppage exeept that occasioned by 
 the tangled undergrowth, they soon encountered a h«avy fire of artil- 
 lery . Pressing on, they soon overtook the Sf cond lino of battle, then at 
 a halt, except the Stonewall brigade, which was r. oving (under orders) 
 from the left to the right of the plank road. I ordered Colonel O'Neil 
 not to wait on this movement, but to advance his brigade over the- 
 Eecond line. At this moment Colonel O'Neil was disabled, by a frag- 
 ment of a shell, and in person I made his right regiment (the third 
 Alabama) press forward through the troops, and sent a staff officer 
 with directions to Colonel Hall, who succeeded to the command, te 
 continue his advance. The first line was in turn overtaken and 
 passed; but the confusion arising from passing the two lines caused- 
 the two regiments on the left of this brigade to become separated from 
 the others. These two moved obliquely to the right, under the im 
 mediate command of Colonel Hall, and encountered the fire of the 
 enemy's infantry, posted behind a barricade, on the right of the road, 
 and not more than two hundred yards from the epaulements on the. 
 heights. At this juncture, a portion of Iverson's brigade, and a por- 
 tion of Pender's troops, under the immediate command of Brigadier 
 Genet »1 Fender, coming up, he ordered them all forward. The enemy 
 was compelled to abandon the barricade, and fall back; and pressing on, 
 Colonel Hall's two regiments — the fifth and twenty-sixth Alabama — 
 together with the twenty-third North Carolina regiment, Colonel 
 Christie, carried the heights in magnificent style, planting their flags 
 8 
 
114 
 
 inside the works. In this charge, the gallant Lieutenant Colonel 
 Garvin, of the twenty- sixth Alabama, fell, desperately wounded, 
 inside the works. In the meantime the residue of Rodes', Iverson's 
 and Pender's troops, moving forward, to the left of Hall and Christie, 
 were met and repulsed by the enemy, thus leaving the flank of the 
 party on the heights exposed to an overwhelming force. They were 
 compelled to fall back behind the plank road, with loss of over one 
 hundred men, and both Alabama flags. A second line of battle having 
 been assembled along the log breastworks on the left of the road, 
 composed of pai'ts of the third, sixth, and twenty-sixth Alabama, the 
 fifth North Carolina, under Lieutenant Colonel Lee, who had just 
 joined it, and other scattering troops, I ordered it, through Major 
 Whiting, to attack — moving parallel to the plank road. Hall imme- 
 diately attacked the epaulements again, with his two regiments, and 
 gallantly carried them ; but the troops just mentioned, who had at- 
 tacked further to the left, being again repulsed, he again fell back to 
 the breastworks. Whilst this was transpiring in front, the enemy 
 made an attack in force on ir.y left and rear. This attack was met by 
 the twelfth Alabama, Colonel Pickens, Colonel Lightfoot, of the sixth 
 Alabama, with a small portion of his regiment, and some troops of 
 Nichols' brigade, skilfully placed by General Iverson, and sustained 
 against fearful odds, until I ordered up Colquitt's brigade, which 
 quickly and handsomely repulsed it. The enemy being repulsed de- 
 cidedly here, barely holding his own in the left centre, and compelled, 
 about the same time, by the artillery fire from the right, to abandon 
 the epaulements, withdrew all his forces to the hill back of the Chan- 
 cellorsville house. The fighting on the centre and left was of a most 
 desperate char?cter, and resulted in the loss of many valuable officers, 
 among them, and most to be regretted, was Major A. M. Gordon, of 
 the sixth Alabama, a young officer of great promise, and great purity 
 of character. 
 
 General Pender, speaking of the first advance of my troops, stated 
 to me that Colonel Christie and his regiment, which he handled in 
 magnificent style, especially attracted his attention, and that the col- 
 onel deserved promotion. Whilst these movements were taking place 
 on the left, Ramseur and Doles pushed forward on the right, passed 
 the first line of entrenchments, which had already been carried, passed 
 the first and second lines of our troops, and became fiercely engaged. 
 Doles deflecting to the right, passed up a ravine behind the grave- 
 yard on Chancellor's hill, and finally came out in the field nearly 
 opposite the house, driving the enemy before him as he advanced, and 
 actually getting several hundred yards to the rear, as well of those 
 troops opposing the rest cf my division as of those opposing General 
 Anderson's division. Subsequently he was compelled to fall back ; 
 and was directed by General Lee to take charge of a large body of 
 prisoners. Ramseur, after vainly urging the troops in possession of 
 the first line of entrenchments to move forward, obtained permission 
 to pass them, and dashing over the works, charged the second en- 
 trenched line in the most brilliant style. The struggle at this point 
 was long and obstinate ; but the charge on the left of the plank road, 
 
115 
 
 at this time, caused the enemy to give way on his left; and this, com- 
 bined with the uuflinching determination of his men, carried the day, 
 and gave him possession of the works. Not being supported, he was 
 exposed still to a galling firo from the right, with great danger of 
 being flanked. Notwithstanding repeated efforts made by him, and 
 by myself in person, none of the troops in his rear would move 
 up, until the old Stonewall brigade arrived on the ground, and gal- 
 lantly advanced, in conjunction with the thirtieth North Carolina 
 regime-nt, Colonel Parker, of Rimseur's brigade, which had been de- 
 tached to support a battery, and was now on its return. Occupying 
 the works on the right of liamseur, and thus relieving him, when his 
 ammunition was nearly exhausted, the Stonewall brigade pushed on, 
 and carried the Chancellorsville heights, making the third time they 
 were captured. They, in turn, were forced to fall back, but recap- 
 tured several of the prisoners, and one of the flags taken from Coionel 
 Hall. 
 
 At this juncture, Lieutenant Colonel Carter, who had behaved 
 with signal courage and judgment during the whole action, succeeded, 
 in conjunction with Major Pegram, in getting several batteries in po- 
 sition in a field*to the right, which opened with such precision and 
 rapidity on such of the enemy's batteries and troops as remained on 
 the plain of Chancellorsville, as finally to drive them back in utter 
 confusion. Lieutenant Colonel Hillary Jones, of the artillery, a 
 most accomplished officer, had, however, before this, placed ten guns 
 near the plank road and on the nearest ridge to the enemy's opaule- 
 ments, which had fired with marked success 'on the artillery, stationed 
 at the Chvncellor house, and on the retreating troops. As soon as 
 our artillery fire would permit, the heights were occupied by the in- 
 fantry, and, by order of General Stuart, I took charge of arranging 
 all theTroops found on the field, in line of battle, parallel to the plank 
 road. The earliest troops on the ground were Colonel Biocken- 
 brouglvs and another Virginia regiment, belonging, 1 think, to the 
 same brigade. These were subsequently withdrawn, and my troops 
 located as follows : Iverson's brigade on right, extending from the 
 Chancellorsville house up the plank road; next, Rodes' brigade, then 
 Ramseur's brigade, and finally, Doles' brigade, all parallel and close 
 to the road. Doles was subsequently thrown across the road, and at 
 an angle of forty five degrees with it, connecting with General Pen- 
 der, by whom this line was continued on to the left. Colston's divis- 
 ion, now attached to my command, was located on the turnpike road, 
 to the right, and in continuation of my line. Colquitt's brigade was 
 placed en echelon with reference both to Iverson and Colston, and one 
 hundred yards in tear, to enable our artillery to operate in the inter- 
 val. This position was strongly fortified, and was held without molest- 
 ation until Tuesday morning, when I pushed forward my whole line 
 of skirmishers to feel the enemy. lie was discovered to be in very 
 great force, both of infantry and artillery, with formidable entrench- 
 ments. 
 
 Early on Wednesday morning, my outposts reported that the en- 
 emy had retired. I again threw forward my skirmishers, and found 
 
116 
 
 that the entire force had retreated during the night. Following them 
 in person, with a few troops, it was ascertained that they had success- 
 fully crossed the river, availing themselves of the very severe storm 
 and darkness of the previous night. The line of their retreat wag 
 marked by every evidence of a careful and well conducted march, 
 but little public or private property, except such as was necessary for 
 hospital purposes, being left behind. 
 
 On the evening of Wadt.esday, May 6th, my column was again in 
 motion, and camped that night in their old quarters, near Grace church, 
 having been absent eight days, participating in the achievement of a 
 signal victory, capturing fifteen pieces of artillery, ten flags, seventy- 
 five thousand rounds of small-arm ammunition, and four bushels of 
 musket caps, from the enemy. The small arms, ammunition and the 
 caps afterwards fell into the hands of Major Allen, corps ordnance 
 officer, and Captain, Marye, ordnance officer of Colston's division. 
 It is worthy of remark, that the enemy abandoned such a large num- 
 ber of knapsacks in retreating to his works, that when this division 
 began its homeward march in the rain, it was thoroughly equipped 
 with oil-cloths and shelter-tents of the best quality. 
 
 The division sustained a heavy loss in killed and*wounded, espe- 
 cially on the second day. The conduct of its men and officers, was 
 such as to win the highest encomiums from General Jackson, and 
 such as had been rarely equaled. Its laurels were dearly bought, 
 however., as will be seen by the tabular statement of killed and 
 and Wounded, herewith filed, marked "A." I do not think the en- 
 emy's loss was as great as ours, as he fought us generally from be- 
 hind his barricades and earthworks ; still it was heavy. 
 
 As an act of justice to them, and for future reference, the names 
 of all the officers who participated in the engagement are presented in 
 the appendices to the reports of brigade commanders. The general, 
 field and staff officers who were present are herewith presented in ap- 
 pendix "B." 
 
 It is impossible for me, within reasonable limits, to mention all the 
 officers and men who were distinguished for gallant and meritorious 
 conduct at this battle. It is, however, my duty to call attention to 
 the great gallantry and efficiency in this action of Brigadier 
 Generals Doles and Ramseur, Colonel Edward Willis, twefth Georgia; 
 Colonel Cooke, fourth Georgia, severely wounded ; Colonel Hall, fifth 
 Alabama; Colonel Christie, twenty-third North Carolina; Colonel 
 Pickens, twelfth Alabama; Lieutenant Colonel J. N. Lea, fifth North 
 Carolina; Lieutenant Colonel Hobson, fifth Alabama, severely 
 wounded; Colonel Garrett, of the fifth North Carolina, (who had be- 
 haved most gallantly on the first day, and was unfortunately wounded 
 by one of our own men, after the close of that day's fight ;) Colonel 
 Parker, thirtieth North Carolina ; Colonel R. T. Bennett, fourteenth 
 North Carolina;- Captain H. A. Whiting, A. A. G., of Rodes' brig- 
 ade ; Captain Green Pejton, of my staff, and Captain M. L. Ran- 
 dolph, signal corps. The last named officer was remarkable among all 
 these bruve and accomplished officers, for his daring coolness and effi- 
 ciency. 
 
117 
 
 Colonel O'Neal, commanding Rodes' brigade, deserves special no- 
 tice for his gallantry. 
 
 It is proper to mention that Colonel W. R. Cox, of the sec- 
 ond North Carolina, was wounded repeatedly, before he left the 
 field. All of the other officers did their duty nobly, but thoso I have 
 mentioned came under my own notice, or were so spoken of by com- 
 petent persons, a3 to make it my duty to mention them in this man- 
 ner. 
 
 My staff officers, Captain Green Pevton and Captain M. L. Ran- 
 dolph, have been mentioned for their meritorious conduct. Their 
 duties were more than usually arduous during the action, and were 
 nobly discharged. 
 
 Mr. Ed. O'Neal, volunteer aid, a youth under eighteen, behaved 
 most gallantly, and I am under great obligations to him. 
 
 Four of my couriers, C. S. Ellis, company " B," fourth Georgia; 
 
 Gilliam James, company " D," fifth Alabama ; -, and 
 
 -, of Stuart's cavalry, (Fitz Lee's brigade,) were of 
 
 great service to me during the battle, and exhibited great courage and 
 intelligence. Both of the former deserve promotion for their con- 
 duct. 
 
 Enclosed will be found, reports of brigade and regimental comman- 
 ders. 
 
 Respectfully. 
 
 R. E. RODES, 
 Brigadier Gcnerul com?na?iding division. 
 
 APPENDIX A. 
 
 STRENGTH AND CASUALTIES of the brigades of D. H HiTs 
 Division, commanded by Brigadier General Redes, in battle of Chanel- 
 lorsville. 
 
 
 8TREN'GTII. 
 
 CASUALTIES. 
 
 
 
 
 Killed. 
 
 Wounded. 
 
 Missing. 
 
 
 BRIGADE. 
 
 ■ 
 1 
 
 o 
 
 a 
 
 53 
 
 c 
 
 i 
 
 o 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 ■ 
 
 1 
 
 o 
 
 c 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 d 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 6 
 
 c 
 
 c 
 
 a 
 
 . 
 a 
 
 7s 
 
 B 
 
 0) 
 b 
 
 be 
 
 be 
 
 < 
 
 Dales' 
 
 133 
 ) 3.'> 
 
 1489 
 
 i .an 
 
 4 
 
 9 
 12 
 6 
 
 62 
 »,'.) 
 142 
 
 M 
 
 •J 
 
 SI 
 
 41 
 
 4.' 
 
 8 
 
 312 
 
 4 V. 
 49ii 
 1.0 
 
 1 7H 
 
 5 
 
 21 
 28 
 
 2S 
 
 72 
 1(13 
 l» - .7 
 *84 
 
 437 
 
 
 4>6 
 
 
 129 i no 
 
 l.M 1 744 
 
 130 1 1,600 
 
 788 
 
 816 
 440 
 
 
 
 7,S73 
 
 30 
 
 367 
 
 14s 
 
 59 
 
 6 4 
 
 2.976 
 
 •This estimate of thp strength of this briipde in not arcura'e, as th« nritrade was tranHforred to 
 North Carolina, eoon aflcr the batt'e, and left, no data from which wo cm get the exact eat 1 mate. 
 
 R. E. RODES, 
 
 Brigadier General commanding division. 
 
REPORT OF COLONEL O'NEIL. 
 
 Headquarters Rodes' Brigade, ) 
 
 Santee, Caroline County, Va., May 12, 1SG3. \ 
 
 Captain G. Peyton, A. A. G. : 
 
 Captain : In obedience to orders, I have the honor to submit the 
 following report of the operations of Rodes' brigade during the eight 
 days' campaign commencing on the 29th April and ending on the 6th 
 May, 1863. Early in the morning of the 29th April, I received 
 orders to hold the brigade in readiness to move at a moment's warn- 
 ing, and about eight o'clock the brigade was formed on the road, the 
 right resting on Round Oak church. Thence, after a short delay, we 
 moved to Hamilton's Crossing. Here I was ordered to put the 
 brigade in line of battle, in a skirt of pine woods, about one mile to 
 the right of the railroad and just in rear of our works. The brigade 
 rested here during the balance of the day and until three o'clock next 
 morning, when I was ordered to move the brigade to the right, about 
 half a mile, and place it in the entrenchments — the right resting on 
 Massaponax creek and the left on the Bowling Green road. During 
 the day the enemy's batteries, across the river, shelled a portion of 
 the line — the third and sixth Alabama regiments — but, being pro- 
 tected by the earthworks and the hill, no damage was done. At three 
 o'clock on the morning of the 1st May, I moved the brigade to Hamil- 
 ton's Crossing, left in front, and thence to the plank road, some seven 
 or eight miles, where I was ordered to prepare for immediate action, 
 to support the forces of General Anderson, who were engaging the 
 enemy. Being in rear of General Colquitt's brigade, I was directed 
 to connect with him and move as he moved. At this point the men 
 were ordered to take off and pile their knapsacks, and, forming by 
 the rear rank, I moved the brigade across an open field to a public 
 road and then down it about one mile, where we rested in a wood till 
 late in the evening, when I received orders to march back to the 
 plank road, and, after reaching it, to halt the brigade and send back 
 for the knapsacks. Having obtained the baggage, I moved down the 
 plank road about two miles and bivouacked for the night. Early on 
 the morning of the 2nd of May, the brigade wa? moved forward on 
 the plank road about one mile, and thence taking a road to the left, 
 passed the furnace and formed in line of battle, after a march of some 
 ten or twelve miles, beyond the turnpike road, just above its junction 
 with the plank road and in rear of the enemy. The brigade was 
 formed perpendicular to the road and on the left of it, with the right 
 regiment, the third Alabama, resting on the road and connecting with 
 General Doles', which was on the right of the road. About half after 
 five o'clock the order to advance was given, and very soon the corps 
 of sharpshooters, under Major Blackford, of the fifth Alabama, were 
 engaged with the enemy's pickets. The brigade moved rapidly and 
 steadily forward, and in a few minutes was engaged, delivering & 
 
119 
 
 regular and telling fire. We drove the enemy from his first line of 
 breastworks and, pursuing him with spirit and rapidity, soon came 
 upon his second line of works, which were carried after only a mo- 
 ment's delay. At this time the enemy's batteries poured upon us, 
 especially the right wing, the third and sixth Alabama regiments, a 
 shower of grape and canister. Still advancing, we continued to drive 
 the enemy before us and passed to his third line, consisting of log 
 works, which were immediately carried — the enemy giving only one 
 volley before he fled. Darkness coming on, the pursuit was discon- 
 tinued. In this short space of time, wo drove the enemy before us 
 about two miles and from three breastworks and two abattis. We 
 captured a considerable number of prisoners CapUin W. T. Rehfro, 
 commanding the right wing of the fifth Alabama, after Colonel Hud- 
 son had been wounded, brought in two hundred and twenty-five, nil I 
 Colonel Lightfoot, of the sixth Alabama, one hundred and five. 
 Among the prisoners was Colonel Packer, fifth Connecticut, and 
 several other officers. We captured three pieces of artillery, and 
 part of a fourth piece, which waa claimed by another brigade. We 
 also captured a lot of ammunition and a quantity of small anus. 
 The third Alabama captured and have now in possession two stands 
 of Federal artillery colors, and the sixth Alabama captured one bat- 
 tery flag. Being with the brigade throughout this brilliant charge. I 
 can personally bear witness to the gallant bearing of the officers and 
 the daring, dashing courage of the men. In this connection, permit 
 me also to state the order, regularity and precision with which the 
 several regimental commanders moved and handled their commands 
 throughout this charge. The third Alabama, under the command of 
 Captains Bonham, Chester and Phelan, was ordered to move along 
 the road and perpendicular to it, and was the battalion of direction ; 
 and the other regiments — the sixth, under Lieutenant Colonel Li . l1 
 foot and Major Gordon ; the twelfth, under Colonel Pickens and 
 Captain Proskauer; the twenty-sixth, under Lieutenant Colonel 
 Garvin and Major Bryan, and the fifth, under Colonel Hall and 
 Lieutenant Colonel Hobson — moved in line of battle with this regi- 
 ment, and, although passing through a dense and "tingled forest" 
 for a mile, all the regiments were connected and moved in a regular, 
 unbroken line, the officers exhibiting the greatest coolness and daring, 
 cheering on their men by both voice and example. In this charge, 
 Lieutenant Colonel E. L. Hobson waa wounded, while gallantly rush- 
 ing in front of his men, near the enemy's second line of work*. 
 Major Bryan, twenty- sixth Alabama, was also wounded, near the 
 same place and about the same time, while bravely performing his 
 duties. Captain Watkins Phelan, who commanded the left wing of 
 the third Alabama, was also woun led in this charge, lie, with Cap- 
 tain Bonham, who commanded the regiment, and Captain Chester, who 
 commanded the right wing of the third Alabama, acted most gallantly 
 and led their regiment with great success, and it is but simple justice 
 to say that each regiment did its whole duty. As soon as the night 
 put an end to the pursuit 1 formed the brigade, and having had am- 
 munition issued to the men, I reported to the Brigadier General 
 
120 
 
 commanding division for orders. He ordered mo to move to the 
 earthwoiks to the left of the road, the second line we had carriel, 
 and to relieve General Paxton, which was done, and there we rested 
 for the night. About six o'clock Sunday morning, the 3rd of May, 
 I received ciders to advance, the brigade being in the third or reserve 
 line of battle. We movjd forward, under heavy shelling, in an open 
 field, and then through a dense wood for about one mile, when wo 
 cam? up with our second line of battle and passed through it. I 
 enquired, as we passed, wlune brigade, and was informed it was Gen- 
 eral Paxton'a. We continued to move forward until we came to somo 
 other troops, where I ordered a halt, and found that the third 
 Alabama had lapped over and got in front of the sixth Alabama, the 
 regiment immediately on its left. While rectifying the line, the 
 Brigadier General commanding rode up and ordered me to the road 
 with him, and, explaining to me the position of the forces on my 
 right and the direction I was to pursue, ordered me to push forward 
 over our first line of battle, and dislodge the enemy from Chancellor's 
 hill. I.; company with Major Whiting, assistant adjutant general, 
 I immediately started on a run for the centre of the brigade to exe- 
 cute this order, and when near the centre, was stricken down by the 
 fuse of a shell, which disabled me for the balance of the day. I 
 directed Major Whiting to move the brigade forward, and to inform 
 Colonel Hall, of the fifth Alabama, that the command devolved on 
 him. Colonel Hall wa3, at the time, on the extreme left of the line 
 with his regiment. The brigade moved forward under a most terrific 
 storm of shell, grape, canister and musketry, and for what took place 
 afterwards I respectfully refer you to the report of Colonel Hall, who 
 so bravely led it, and that of Colonel Pickens, who so gallantly re- 
 listed the advance on our left, and ask that their reports may be 
 taken ar„d considered a part of tbie. In obedience to oiders from the 
 corps commander to report what standards were captured and. which 
 lost, I have the honor to report that the colors of the 5th Alabama 
 regiment were captured by the enemy in the attack upon the en- 
 trenchments at Chancellor's house, on the morning of the 3rd instant. 
 This regiment, supported by only a portion of the twenty-sixth Ala- 
 bama and four companies of Iverson's brigade, w«.re the first to 
 charge and arry the enemy's works near the Chancellor house. 
 Having taken possession of the epaulementa which commanded the 
 plank load, this regiment moved forward in the charge considerably 
 in advance of the right, and, being unsupported by the brigade on its 
 left, had its left flank turned by a superior force and was forced to 
 retire from the works. In doing so the color-bearer was wounded, 
 and with the colors and over a hundred of its men were surrounded 
 and captured. Retiring only to the plank road, this regiment again 
 charged and took these works without support and a second time had 
 to retire before superior numbers. Captured in the midst of the 
 enemy's guns and entrenchments, and some time before any other 
 troops reached that point, the loss of their Hag is one of the highest 
 evidences of the gallant and daring services rendered by the fifth 
 Alabama regiment in the action of that day. I cannot close this 
 
121 
 
 report without calling special notice to that assiduous attention to 
 every duty, and that calm courage, coolness and self-possession ex- 
 hibited under all circumstances, during these trying davs, by Major 
 H. A. Whiting, assistant adjutant general, and most respect'uily 
 recommend him to the commanding General for promotion. lie was 
 invaluable to me .throughout the two engagements of Saturday and 
 Sunday. I am also greatly indebted to Adjutants Tickett and Moore, 
 of the third and twenty-sixth Alabama regiments, who acted as aids, 
 for valuable services in fearlessly carrying and delivering orders. 
 The brigade inspector, Lieutenant Partridge, was energetic and 
 untiring in the performance of his duties and rendered efficient aid. 
 I desiro also to mention Mr. Webb Woodruff and Mr. Rittenhouso 
 Moore, who were with me and did good service. Enclosed you will 
 find the reports of regimental commanders, to which 1 call Fpocial 
 attention. Also, lists of casualties. 
 
 I am, Captain, veiy respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 EDWARD A. O'NEAL, 
 Colonel commanding Brigade. 
 
REPORT OF COLONEL HALL. 
 
 Headquarters Fifth Alabama Regiment, \ 
 
 Santee, Caroline county, Virginia, \ 
 May 8th, 1863. ) 
 
 Captain H. A. Whiting, A. A. G.„ 
 
 Modes' Brigade : 
 
 Captain : In obedience to an order from headquarters, I have the 
 honor to make the following report of the part taken by Rodes' brig- 
 ade while under my command, in the battle of Chancellorsville, of 
 the 3d instant : 
 
 About six o'clock, A. M., the brigade was formed in the third or 
 rear line of battle, and moved forward under the command of Colonel 
 O'Neal. Proceeding about a mile, under a heavy fire of shell, we 
 passed the second line of battle. Here Colonel O'Neal, who had so 
 gallantly led us, was wounded, and this unfortunate circumstance 
 placed me in command of the brigade. Soon we had overtaken 
 the first line of battle, which was moving by the right and left 
 flanks. At this point the brigade was separated, part of the third 
 and sixth, and all of the twelfth Alabama regiments following the 
 troops moving by the left flank, and part of the sixth, all of the fifth and 
 twenty-sixth Alabama following those moving by the right flank, this, 
 owing to the dense forest, was not discovered at the time. I had just 
 assumed command, and had not time to pass to the centre of the brig- 
 ade before troops were seen in my front. Believing them to be our 
 men, I ordered my command to cease firing and move on, and soon 
 saw from his killed and .wounded that it was the enemy. The com- 
 mand was pressed rapidly forward, under a most terrific tire of shell, 
 grape and musketry, to the branch on the left of the road, and about 
 one hundred and fifty yards from the earthworks, on Chancellor's hill. 
 Seeing strong batteries on the hill, supported by heavy columns of in- 
 fantrv, I halted, and, sheltering the men as much as possible, ordered 
 them to fire on the men in the works on the hill, particularly at the 
 cannoniers. So heavy was our fire, that it was with difficulty that 
 their gunners could be kept at their pieces, and his fire soon sensibly 
 slackened ; this fire was kept up fifteen or twenty minutes. During 
 this time, Captain Whiting, A." A. General, went back to bring for- 
 ward the balance of the brigade, from which, it was here discovered, 
 we were separated. Very soon after halting, a battery opened on my 
 left, completely enfilading my entire line, but, owing to our position, 
 most of the shot passed harmlessly over head. I again sent back the or- 
 der to bring up the remainder of the brigade, which was not found. 
 The battery on my left, continuing its enfilading fire, and heavy vol- 
 lies of musketry, showing the enemy to be there in strong force, I 
 sent notice to the division commander, that unless they were pressed on 
 my left, my flank would be turned, and I could not hold my posi- 
 tion. Just after sending this message, I discovered that the enemy 
 in the works on the hill were in some confusion, when I ordered a 
 
!23 
 
 charge, which was promptly obeyed by part of my command The 
 works were soon in my possession, together with a battery of 
 five pieces, the enemy having fled with the rest of his guns. The 
 colors of the fifth and twenty-sixth Alabama were planted in a 
 short distance of each other, on the works. The works were carried 
 about nine o'clock, A. M., by these two regiments, and a small part 
 of the sixth, which had become separated from their regiment. No- 
 ticing at this time, that all the men had not moved forward at the or- 
 der to charge, I returned to the branch, and again ordered them 
 forward, which command was promptly obeyed. While hurrying them 
 forward, I noticed a body of men on my left, running. I called to 
 an officer, then passing, asking him what that meant, and who those 
 men were. He stated that they belonged to a brigade which I knew 
 to be on my left, and that " the d — d scoundrels would not fight." 
 I pointed to the works, telling him that my men held them, and called 
 on him to assist me in rallying his men, for the purpose of resisting 
 the enemy, then advancing on my left and rear. The men could not 
 be rallied. The enemy continued to advance, unopposed, and, gain- 
 ing my rear, compelled me to evacuate the woiks which I had just 
 captured. This was done, with a heavy loss of killed, wounded and 
 prisoners. Most of the command who escaped, rallied and returned 
 with other troops, who afterwards captured the same works, and these 
 troops were driven from the works by a column flanking them on the left 
 and rear, as I had been driven some time before. After this, I was 
 ordered to rally my command, and move to the left of the road, to 
 support troops then engaging the enemy. Afterwards, the brigade 
 was formed in line of battle at Chancellorsville, where it remained un- 
 til the enemy recrossed the river, when we returned to our old en- 
 campment, on the night of the Gth instant; having been absent 
 marching and fighting for eight days 
 
 In this report, I have only mentioned the fifth, twenty-sixth and 
 patt of the sixth Alabama regiments, because these were the only 
 troops of the brigade under my immediate command during the bat- 
 tle. For the part taken by the other regiments of the brigade, in 
 this ever memorable engagement, you are respectfully referred to the 
 report of Colonel I'ickens, of the twelfth Alabama, under whose gal- 
 lant leadership, they so heroically fought. 
 
 Justice demands that I should mention Lieutenant Colonel Garvin, 
 commanding the twenty-sixth, and Captain Renfro, commanding the 
 fifth Aliibarna, who were both severely, if not mortally wounded, while 
 gall intly leading their regiment?, and giving the highest evidence of 
 their coolness and skill, which should ever characterize the true soldier. 
 
 To the cool and undaunted courage of Major H. A. Whiting, A. 
 A. G., I feel greatly indebted for the sued [ing my attack on 
 
 the works on Chancellor's hill. If skill as an officer, and gallantry in 
 action, entitle any man to promotion, Major Whiting truly deserves it. 
 
 For individual acts of courage, and the casualties of the battle, you 
 arc respectfully referred to the reports of regimental commanders. 
 
 I have the honor to be, very rcspectfullv, your obedient servant, 
 
 J. M. HALL, 
 Colonel commanding brigade. 
 
REPORT OF COLONEL HAMILTON. 
 
 Headquarters Second Brigade, Light Division, ) 
 Camp Gregg, May 20, 1S63. \ 
 
 Captain R. H. Fii^ney, A. A. General: 
 
 Captain: Inconsequence of the wounding of Brigadier General 
 McGowan and Colonel 0. E. Edwards, thirteenth regiment South 
 Carolina volunteers, early in the day, on the 3rd instant, I found 
 myself in command of this brigade. It will be unnecessary for me 
 to recapitulate the movements of the brigade, on the march, as I have 
 already, in giving a report as regimental commander, detailed those 
 of first regiment South Carolina volunteers, which will cover those 
 of the brigade, previous to our reaching the enemy, in rear of their 
 line of works, beyond Chancellorsville. At sunset, 2nd instant, we 
 reached that part of the field which had been cleared by Brigadier 
 General Rodes scattering the enemy in every direction ; passing 
 beyond, we were drawn up in line, by order of Brig. General M.-Gowan, 
 on the plank road — the fourteenth regiment South Carolina volun- 
 teers, being deployed and covering our front as skirmishers. Here 
 we were subjected to a heavy fire of shells, which was annexing, but 
 did not do us a great deal of damage. After remaining here until 
 about eieven o'clock, orders were given for an advance of the brigade- 
 thirteenth South Carolina volunteers on the right, first South Caro- 
 lina volunteers next to the rifle regiment, (Orr's) on the left, direct- 
 ing battalion. The attempt wus made, but either in consequence of 
 the impossibility of advancing through a thick and almost impenetra- 
 ble pine thicket, or from a change of orders, the order was counter- 
 manded. At twelve o'clock, (midnight) the brigade marched to a 
 position in front of the enemy's breastworks, with Brigadier General 
 Lane on our left, and Brigadier General Archer on our right. At, 
 sunrise the advance was commenced, the brigade, however, obliqued 
 too much to the left, separating our line from that of Brigadier 
 General Archer, and somewhat overlapping the right of Brigadier 
 General Lane. So soon, however, as the ground was cleared before 
 us, the four regiments engaged ( first, thirteenth, fourteenth and Orr's 
 rifles) dashed at the enemy's first line of breastworks, and clearing them 
 with rapidity, the brigade passed about one hundred yards to the front 
 an4 engaged the enemy, who appeared to be collected in strength on 
 our right. Up to this time Brigadier General McGowan was active 
 and courageous, in urging on the brigade, exposing himself without 
 any sort of regard for his own safety ; the last that I saw of him, 
 his huge form was towering from the top of the breastworks, which 
 we had just passed, he was soon after unfortunately wounded, but I 
 am happy to say, not dangerously. The brigade soon became very 
 hotly engaged, particularly the two right regiments ( first and Orr's 
 rifle regiments.) The enemy finding our right open and unsupported 
 
125 
 
 (Brigadier General Archer having lost his connection with our line, 
 from our having obliqued to the left in advancing from the cover of 
 the woods) pressed on to pass round our light flank, and get posses- 
 sion of the breastworks in our rear. This being apparent to the two 
 right regiments, (first and Orr's rifles,) they fell back to the line of 
 breastworks, and contiuned to fight the enemy, who, if they had 
 pushed vigorously forward, could at once have driven us out, as that 
 portion of the works was unoccupied for s;>me time, but such a deadly 
 fire was poured into them whenever they showed themselves, that 
 their immediate advance was checked. While fighting at the breast- 
 works, I learned that Colonel Edwards, thirteenth regiment South 
 Carolina volunteers, had a?sumed command of the brigade. From him 
 I did not receive many orders, as he was, I regret to say, soon very 
 severely wounded ; as likewise my gallant young subaltern. Lieutenant 
 James T. Proctor ( company C, first regiment) whom I had just beforo 
 detailed to act as his A. A General, who, after a very few moments 
 of duty, lost his leg. We had not fought for any great length of time, 
 when a portion of Major General Trimble's division, commanded by 
 Brigadier General Colston, came to reinforce us on the right, but 
 from their hesitancy in taking the position, and encumbering us in 
 the rear, they were but of little use, and the enemy soon commenced 
 pouring over the breastworks on our right. My regiment ( first S. C. 
 volunteers) and Orr's rifle regiment, being cut of ammunition, with- 
 out the means of replenishing it, and our flank exposed by the enemy 
 occupying the line (the prolongation of our's) to the right, it waa 
 deemed best to retire for the time, which was done. Falling back a. 
 short distance to a road in rear, as commanuer of my own regiment, 
 I found Brigadier General Colston rallying some of his own troops; 
 to him I reported, asking that my regiment might be supplied with 
 ammunition, which was furnished me. The rifle regiment (Orr's) 
 eoon joined me. Here I learned for the first time, that Colonel Ed- 
 wards was wounded. I assumed command of that portion of the 
 brigade which was with me, and soon resumed the advance. Finding 
 the breastworks occupied by our own troops, I was ordered by Briga- 
 dier General Colston, to march the portion of the brigade wnich had 
 joined me across the plank road, and occupied the position command- 
 ing the flank of the line of breastworks held by our troops ; here I took 
 position and remained under an irregular but severe fire of shells for 
 two hours expecting every moment to be engaged with the infantry of 
 the enemy, as scattering bullets were occasionally reaching us, and 
 sometimes heavy firing was heard immediately in our front, gradually 
 the fire slackened. I was left without further orders, and finding tho 
 brigade of Brigadier General Pender, in my rear, moving out into 
 the plank road, I reported to him for orders, and learned that he wa* 
 in command of the light division, both Major General A. P. Hill and 
 Brigadier General lleth, having been slightly wounded. After a 
 short time we received our rations, replenished our ammunition and 
 being rejoined by the rest of the brigade, which had been with Colonel 
 A. Perrin, fourteenth regiment South Carolina volunteers, I mirched 
 the brigade, under orders of Brigadier General Pender, to a position 
 
126 
 
 on the left of the plank road, and was established on th 3 front line of 
 his division, facing eastward (on Sunday afternoon, 3rd instant,) 
 holding as he informed me, the key of his position and which I was 
 ordered by him to hold at all hazards and to the last extremity. 
 
 Throwing out skirmishers to the front and covering my entire line, 
 we prepared to bivouac, and obtain such rest as we might in a swamp, 
 with dead, dying and roasted Yankee?, (the woods having taken fire 
 just after the battle of that day, 3d instant,) but our rest was con- 
 stantly interrupted by our skirmishers becoming engaged with those 
 of the enemy. 
 
 On Monday, the 4th, I was ordered to remove the brigade to a 
 position in rear of the one held by me during the afternoon and night 
 before. Here I had breastworks rapidly thrown up, six companies 
 covering my front as skirmishers, and scouts sent out to reconnoitre 
 the position of the enemy. From these scouts 1 learned, early in the 
 evening, that the enemy were making no demonstration on their 
 right an 1 in my front. During this night I could hexr the moving of 
 the artillery and wagon trains down towards Banks' ford, and so 
 reported it to Brigadier General Pender, with my impression that 
 they were moving off, which subsequent events proved to be correct. 
 Nothing of further moment occurred, beyond our pushing my skirm- 
 ishers, by a wheel of their line to the left, upon and against the right 
 flank of those of the enemy. 
 
 I beg to speak of the efficiency of Major Croft, fourteenth 
 South Carolina volunteers ; Major Hunt, thirteenth South Carolina 
 volunteers, and Captains Butler and Haskell, of first regiment South 
 Carolina volunteers, and Captain Duncan, thirteenth regiment South 
 Carolina volunteers, while respectively in command of skirmishers. 
 To Captain T. P. Ashtcn, first regiment South Carolina volurteers, 
 who acted as my Assistant Adjutant General, I feel myself under 
 great obligations for his untiring zeal and efficiency. He was ready 
 at all hours to go to any position, either to the skirmishers in front, 
 or along the line ; his calm, courageous bearing won my admiration and 
 esteem, and to hi.-: intelligence and ready perception of his duties, 
 my labors, which would have been arduous iu being placed suddenly 
 in command of the brigade, were lightened by his aid. 
 
 After remaining at our entrenched position, we marched off on 
 Wednesday, the Cth instant, and returned to this camp, on Thursday, 
 7th instant. 
 
 It remains now but to speak of our losses. They were heavy, 
 (lists of which have already been forwarded to division headquarters, 
 Brigadier General Pender,) and among them I regret to announce 
 the death of Colonel James M. Perrin, Orr"s rifle regiment, who was 
 mortally wounded while gallantly fighting his regiment at the breast- 
 works, on Sundxy, 3d May. Colonel Perrin was one of the captains 
 of my old regiment, (first South Carolina volunteers,) and on duty 
 with me in South Carolina previous to my comingto Virginia, in 
 1861. Since then he has, at various times, been under my command. 
 A more zealous or efficient officer could not have been found in this 
 command. Noble, brave, and pious, he lived to win the admiration 
 
127 
 
 and esteem of his friends, and we will trust died to receive the reward 
 of a lift spent in the strict discharge of every duty. 
 
 I beg to enclose the reports of the thirteenth, first, fourteenth and 
 Orr's rifles, South Carolina volunteers. The twelfth regiment. South 
 Carolina volunteers, was not engaged in the battle, but was detailed 
 as a guard to prisoners, and, on Monday, the 4th May, was sent off 
 to Richmond, with upwards of two thousand prisoners, and did not 
 return to the brigade until two days after our return to this camp. 
 I am, Captain, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 D. II. HAMILTON, 
 Colonel, commanding Second Brigade, Light Division. 
 
REPORT OF COLONEL BROCKENBROUGH. 
 
 Headquarters Heth's Brigade, May 18, 1863. 
 
 R. H. Finney, A. A. G. Light Division : 
 
 Captain : I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
 operations of this brigade during the late battles of the 2nd and 3rd 
 of May in the vicinity of Chancellorsville. Leaving Hamilton's 
 Crossing at early dawn on the 1st, the brigade halted at seven o'clock, 
 P. M., on the plank road, about one mile east of Chancellorsville. 
 The advanced troops of our corps had encountered the enomy near 
 Salem church, and with slight resistance they fled to their works. 
 At ten o'clock on tho following morning, leaving the turnpike to our 
 right and moving upon the old furnace road, we turned the right flank 
 of the enemy and, at five and a half o'clock, P. M., reached the plank 
 road again, about four miles west of Chancellorsville and in their 
 rear. Here we formed line of battle and commeuced a rapid advance, 
 this brigade occupying the second line. Our approach in that direction 
 seemed to take by surprise and create a considerable panic among the 
 enemy, who, notwithstanding they occupied superior natural posi- 
 tions, strengthened by works of magnitude, fled at our approach, 
 night alone giving them quarter. We pursued them within three- 
 fourths of a mile of Chancellorsville. The rapid flight of the enemy, 
 the eagerndfes of our pursuit, the tangled wilderness through which 
 we had marched, and the darkness of the night created much confu- 
 sion in our ranks, which at this point was increased by a deadly fire 
 poured into our ranks by friends and foes from our right, left and 
 front. Artillery, with their caissons, occupied the road abreast of 
 U3, and, without drivers, dashed headlong through our ranks. Under 
 these circumstances, our troops halted, and the chase ended for the 
 night. During the night the enemy was not idle, but worked like 
 beavers in erecting the most formidable barricades and breastworks, 
 thus partially relieving themselves of the panic of the previous even- 
 ing and determining them to give battle. Early on the morning of 
 the 3rd, the brigade, by General Heth's order, was again deployed ia 
 line of battle, extending on either side of the road, th3 fortieth and 
 forty-seventh Virginia regiments on the right, following Genera! 
 Lane's brigade; the fifty-fifth and twenty-second Virginia on the 
 left, supporting General Pender. The advance of our leading line 
 became irregular, and the turnpike, which separated the brigade, 
 being much more elevated than the ground upoa either side, the 
 interval between the two portions became so considerable as not to be 
 seen, the one by the other. BeiDg in close proximity to the enemy, 
 our advance line in a few minutes became hotly engaged, and we 
 were exposed to the most deadly fire I have ever experienced. Very 
 goon the troops in advance were forced back through our lines, leav- 
 ing us without support on either flank. The two regiments on the 
 left of the road had by this time moved within one hundred yards of 
 
129 
 
 the enemy's entrenchments, and, while fiercely engaging theu, had 
 their left turned and were compelled to retire. The two regiments oa 
 the right remained in their position, awaiting support to charge the 
 enemy's works. Finding no one disposed to move, though many 
 thousands had taken shelter behind the barricade, our line was 
 formed, and being joined by about twelve hundred troops of different 
 biigM<les, we led the second charge. Upon reaching the edge of the 
 field these troops, with a yell, increased their speed to a double quick, 
 and, such was the impetuosity of the charge, that the enemy's resist- 
 ance, though fierce and bloody, was of short duration. Wc eooa 
 triumphantly mounted their entrenchments, completely rou.ing them 
 from a position from which it is almost impossible to conceive how &n 
 army could be driven. On gaining the works, we discovered the field 
 literally crowded with men flying in every direction and poured into 
 them a deadly fire. Occupying this position about two minutes, we 
 discovered troops advancing through the woods upon our left r.ad 
 supposed they were friends, till a volley fired into our left and rear 
 removed the delusion. Their numbers and position being vastly su- 
 perior to ours, and unsupported on our left, we were again force J to 
 retire. As soon as our artillery shelled this piece of woods, we 
 advanced a third line and held the position. Artillery now coming 
 to our support, soon silenced the enemy's batteries (which had 
 harassed us during tho entire day) and forced them to abandon in 
 great confusion their strong and well selected position, to take shelter 
 in the wilderness and retreat towards the river. 
 
 The loss sustained by the brigade in killed and wounded amounted 
 to thirty- three officers and two hundred and seventy enlisted men. 
 Could aught repay us for the noble spirits who have fallen, we ^".r.ld 
 find consolaticn in the glorious victory achieved; but our little 
 brigade, and the entire corps, will long miss and mourn the loss of 
 the experienced and gallant dead. With few exceptions, the bearing 
 and conduct of officers and men were unexceptionable. 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 J. M. BROCKENBROUUH, 
 Colonel commanding Brigade, 
 
REPORT OF COLONEL BALDWIN. 
 
 Ordnance Office, Army of Northern Virginia, > 
 
 May 20th, 1863. \ 
 
 Brigadier General R. H. Chilton, 
 
 Adjutant and Inspector General, A. N. V. ; 
 
 Sir : I have the honor to report the following as the principal cap- 
 tures in the recent engagements near Fredericksburg and Chancellors- 
 ville : 
 
 Artillery. 
 
 Five twelve-pounder Napoleons ; seven three-inch rifles ; one ten~ 
 pounder Parrot ; nine caissons ; four rear parts of caissons ; three bat- 
 tery wagon3 ; two forges ; fifteen hundred rounds artillery ammuni- 
 tion ; a large lot of artillery harness, a large lot of wheels, axles, 
 fmimui'tion, chests, &c. 
 
 Infantry. 
 
 Twenty-nine thousand five hundred collected, ten thousand admit- 
 ted dropped by our men, nineteen thousand five hundred captured \ 
 nineteen thousand five hundred muskets and rifles ; eight thousand 
 cartridge boxes ; four thousand cap pouches ; eleven thousand five 
 hundred knapsacks ; three hundred thousand rounds infantry ammu- 
 nition. 
 
 I have carefully confined myself to what has been reported as col- 
 lected and counted. This, of course, is considerably less than tho 
 amount actually captured, as a number of unarmed men supplied 
 themselves with arms, accoutrements, &c, and the army, generally, 
 helped themselves from the catridge boxes of the enemy. Also every 
 day email lots of muskets and rifles are brought in; and, without 
 doubt, quite a number of arms, &c, are retained in regimental ord- 
 nance wagons, for further contingencies, and not reported. A large 
 quantity of lead has been and is now being collected from the battl©« 
 fields. 
 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 BRISCOE G. BALDWIN, 
 Lieutenant Colonel and Chief of Ordnance, A. N. V< 
 
131 
 
 LIST OF CASDUALTIES in the Battle of Chancellor svilk, May 
 
 2d and Sd, 1863. 
 
 Command. 
 
 Brigade. 
 
 Lt. Gen. Thos. 
 J. Jackson... 
 
 Captain J. K. 
 Bos well, en- 
 gineer dep't.. 
 
 Signal corps.... 
 
 Genl's escort... 
 
 6th Louisiana, 
 
 6th " 
 
 7th 
 
 8th 
 
 9th " 
 
 Capt. J. Mitch- 
 ell, A. A. G. 
 Gordon's bri. 
 
 13th Georgia... 
 
 26th 
 
 81 st " 
 
 38th 
 
 60th " 
 
 61st " 
 
 Brig. Gen. R. 
 F.Hoke 
 
 6th No Caro. 
 
 21st 
 
 21th « 
 
 67ih •< 
 
 1st N. C. bat'n 
 
 13th Virginia.. 
 
 49th 
 
 62d " 
 
 68th 
 
 Major Gen. A. 
 P. Hill 
 
 Capt. Forbes... 
 
 Genl's escort... 
 
 Brig. General 
 H. Heth 
 
 47th Virginia.. 
 
 66th 
 
 22d Va. batt'n. 
 
 40th Virginia.. 
 
 Brig. General 
 McGowan.... 
 
 Capt Hackell, 
 A A.G 
 
 1st S. Carolina 
 
 Orr's Rifle;- 
 
 12th S. Caro..- 
 
 18th 
 
 14th 
 
 14th Georgia.. 
 
 36th «« • 
 
 45th 
 
 49th 
 
 Hay's, 
 
 Gordon's, 
 
 Hoke's, 
 
 Smith's, 
 
 H. Heth, 
 
 McGowsn, 
 
 Thomas, 
 
 Carried forward. 
 
 Division. 
 
 Early's, 
 
 A. P. Hill's, 
 
 Killed. 
 
 9 
 
 it; 
 
 6 
 
 12 
 
 21 
 
 8 
 15 
 
 1 
 
 20 
 
 6 
 
 14 
 
 12 
 19 
 
 240 
 
 Wounded. 
 
 2 
 44 
 66 
 76 
 71 
 61 
 
 1 
 
 27 
 21 
 20 
 18 
 30 
 28 
 
 1 
 21 
 
 63 
 38 
 61 
 11 
 81 
 10 
 8 
 26 
 
 1 
 48 
 80 
 
 23 
 
 ::\ 
 
 l 
 
 80 
 92 
 2 
 60 
 87 
 67 
 27 
 29 
 83 
 
 Total. 
 
 1,440 
 
 1,680 
 
132 
 
 LIST OF CASUALTIES— Continued. 
 
 Command. 
 
 Brigade. 
 
 Division. 
 
 Killed. 
 
 Wounded. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Brought 
 17th No. Caro. 
 
 
 
 240 
 37 
 
 1,440 
 127 
 
 l,r,80 
 
 Lane's, 
 
 A. P. Hill's, 
 
 104 
 
 18th 
 
 u 
 
 ii 
 
 30 
 
 96 
 
 126 
 
 28th " 
 
 u 
 
 ii 
 
 12 
 
 77 
 
 89 
 
 83d 
 
 tt 
 
 ii 
 
 28 
 
 105 
 
 133 
 
 87th " 
 
 «' 
 
 a 
 
 34 
 
 193 
 
 227 
 
 1st Tennessee.. 
 
 Archer's, 
 
 (< 
 
 8 
 
 50 
 
 58 
 
 7th 
 
 n 
 
 (i 
 
 11 
 
 45 
 
 56 
 
 14th 
 
 n 
 
 << 
 
 7 
 
 28 
 
 35 
 
 6th Ala. bat'n. 
 
 i< 
 
 ii 
 
 3 
 
 30 
 
 33 
 
 ]3th Alabama. 
 
 ii 
 
 ii 
 
 13 
 
 127 
 
 140 
 
 Gen. Trimble'. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 staff 
 
 
 Trimble's 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 Pioneer cops... 
 10th Virginia . 
 
 3 
 
 Colston's, 
 
 ii 
 
 23 
 
 101 
 
 124 
 
 23d 
 
 " 
 
 <i 
 
 9 
 
 53 
 
 62 
 
 37th " 
 
 ti 
 
 ii 
 
 19 
 
 89 
 
 108 
 
 1st No Caro... 
 
 a 
 
 << 
 
 34 
 
 83 
 
 117 
 
 8d 
 
 << 
 
 ii 
 
 38 
 
 141 
 
 179 
 
 Brig. General 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 E. F. Paxton 
 2d Virginia... 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 E. F. Paxton's, 
 
 <( 
 
 8 
 
 58 
 
 66 
 
 4th " 
 
 ii 
 
 <« 
 
 14 
 
 149 
 
 163 
 
 6th " 
 
 ii 
 
 << 
 
 7 
 
 113 
 
 120 
 
 27th " 
 
 " 
 
 «' 
 
 9 
 
 62 
 
 71 
 
 83d 
 
 ii 
 
 CI 
 
 10 
 
 56 
 
 66 
 
 Brijr. Gen. F 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 T. Nicholls.. 
 1st Louisiana.. 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 F.T. Nicholls', 
 
 (1 
 
 8 
 
 27 
 
 35 
 
 2d " 
 
 •» 
 
 II 
 
 15 
 
 90 
 
 105 
 
 10th '« 
 
 (« 
 
 II 
 
 15 
 
 51 
 
 66 
 
 14th ■« 
 
 it 
 
 II 
 
 4 
 
 60 
 
 64 
 
 15th 
 
 ii 
 
 " 
 
 5 
 
 37 
 
 42 
 
 General Jones' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 elaff 
 
 Jones', 
 
 << 
 II 
 
 
 1 
 
 40 
 
 1 
 
 21st Virginia... 
 
 4 
 
 44 
 
 42d 
 
 •< 
 
 II 
 
 15 
 
 120 
 
 135 
 
 44th •« 
 
 ec 
 
 II 
 
 13 
 
 58 
 
 71 
 
 48th « 
 
 ii 
 
 <( 
 
 12 
 
 91 
 
 108 
 
 60th 
 
 " 
 
 (( 
 
 8 
 
 110 
 
 118 
 
 Artillery corps, 
 2d arm j corps 
 
 
 
 26 
 
 124 
 
 150 
 
 12th Alabama. 
 
 Bodes' 
 
 D. H. Hill's, 
 
 14 
 
 77 
 
 91 
 
 2Gth 
 
 ii 
 
 tc 
 
 13 
 
 85 
 
 98 
 
 6th 
 
 n 
 
 << 
 
 24 
 
 130 
 
 154 
 
 6th - 
 
 • 1 
 
 it 
 
 24 
 
 125 
 
 149 
 
 3d 
 
 u 
 
 II 
 
 17 
 
 121 
 
 138 
 
 6th Georgia.... 
 
 (.Vilquilt'8, 
 
 ii 
 
 2 
 
 39 
 
 41 
 
 23d 
 
 27th «« 
 
 
 II 
 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 << 
 
 • i 
 
 2 
 
 39 
 
 41 
 
 28th " 
 
 «< 
 
 ii 
 
 2 
 
 31 
 
 83 
 
 19ih " 
 
 II 
 
 ii 
 
 2 
 
 31 
 
 33 
 
 4th 
 
 Doles', 
 
 ii 
 
 29 
 
 121 
 
 160 
 
 11th ** 
 
 .. 
 
 II 
 
 11 
 
 46 
 
 5T 
 
 21tt " 
 
 • i 
 
 II 
 
 13 
 
 72 
 
 ss 
 
 44th « 
 
 " . . 
 
 it 
 
 11 
 
 10'» 
 
 111 
 
 Carried 
 
 
 
 885 
 
 5,059 
 
 6,943 
 
133 
 
 
 LIST OF CASUALTIES- 
 
 —Continued. 
 
 
 Command. 
 
 Brigade. 
 
 Division. 
 
 Killed. 
 
 Wounded. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Brought 
 
 
 
 885 
 
 5,059 
 
 6,943 
 
 30th N. Car l*a 
 
 Kamseur's, 
 
 D. H. Hill's, 
 
 I!.') 
 
 98 
 
 123 
 
 4th 
 
 " 
 
 it 
 
 45 
 
 110 
 
 155 
 
 14th 
 
 << 
 
 it 
 
 15 
 
 116 
 
 131 
 
 2d 
 
 ii 
 
 ii 
 
 47 
 
 167 
 
 214 
 
 5th " 
 
 Iverson's, 
 
 it 
 
 4 
 
 37 
 
 41 
 
 12th 
 
 '« 
 
 ii 
 
 12 
 
 95 
 
 1"7 
 
 20th 
 
 •i 
 
 it 
 
 13 
 
 64 
 
 77 
 
 23d 
 
 ii 
 
 << 
 
 32 
 
 113 
 
 145 
 
 1 2i h Virginia.. 
 
 Mahone's, 
 
 Anderson's, 
 
 5 
 
 27 
 
 32 
 
 16th 
 
 " 
 
 ii 
 
 1 
 
 17 
 
 18 
 
 41st 
 
 ii 
 
 ii 
 
 6 
 
 2a 
 
 28 
 
 6lst 
 
 u 
 
 n 
 
 4 
 
 28 
 
 32 
 
 6th 
 
 ii 
 
 ii 
 
 6 
 
 34 
 
 39 
 
 Gran ly's Bat'y 
 
 «« 
 
 " 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 8th Florida 
 
 Terry's, 
 
 ii 
 
 11 
 
 36 
 
 47 
 
 2d 
 
 " 
 
 ii 
 
 3 
 
 29 
 
 32 
 
 3th 
 
 " 
 
 it 
 
 6 
 
 22 
 
 28 
 
 8th Alabama... 
 
 Wilcox's, 
 
 it 
 
 5 
 
 45 
 
 50 
 
 9th 
 
 ii 
 
 it 
 
 21 
 
 90 
 
 111 
 
 10th 
 
 ii 
 
 ii 
 
 12 
 
 61 
 
 73 
 
 11th 
 
 ii 
 
 ii 
 
 10 
 
 72 
 
 82 
 
 14th 
 
 14 
 
 ii 
 
 7 
 
 116 
 
 123 
 
 Lewis's Bt'ry. 
 
 Posey's, 
 
 i< 
 ii 
 
 
 6 
 59 
 
 5 
 
 16th Mississ'pi 
 
 17 
 
 76 
 
 12th 
 
 it 
 
 it 
 
 3 
 
 33 
 
 36 
 
 19th 
 
 i< 
 
 ii 
 
 6 
 
 40 
 
 46 
 
 48th 
 
 << 
 
 ii 
 
 10 
 
 44 
 
 54 
 
 2d Q». Bat'ln 
 
 Wright's, 
 
 ii 
 
 2 
 
 26 
 
 28 
 
 22d Georgia... 
 
 ii 
 
 •« 
 
 6 
 
 70 
 
 75 
 
 3d 
 
 ii 
 
 • t 
 
 11 
 
 111 
 
 122 
 
 48th 
 
 ii 
 
 ii 
 
 7 
 
 41 
 
 48 
 
 13th N. Carl'a 
 
 Pender's, 
 
 A. P. Hill's, 
 
 31 
 
 178 
 
 209 
 
 16th 
 
 ii 
 
 it 
 
 17 
 
 73 
 
 90 
 
 22d 
 
 ii 
 
 ii 
 
 30 
 
 139 
 
 169 
 
 S4t!i 
 
 «i 
 
 ii 
 
 18 
 
 110 
 
 128 
 
 38th 
 
 << 
 
 it 
 
 20 
 
 77 
 
 97 
 
 18ih Georgia.. 
 
 Wofford's, 
 
 McLaws', 
 
 14 
 
 72 
 
 86 
 
 24th 
 
 " 
 
 it 
 
 14 
 
 73 
 
 87 
 
 16th 
 
 << 
 
 it 
 
 18 
 
 115 
 
 133 
 
 Oabb's Legion. 
 
 ii 
 
 ii 
 
 22 
 
 135 
 
 167 
 
 Philips' •« 
 
 it 
 
 ii 
 
 3 
 
 19 
 
 22 
 
 Field and Staff 
 
 a 
 
 Kershaw's, 
 
 it 
 ii 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 
 1 
 
 15 h S. Carl'a 
 
 46 
 
 54 
 
 7th 
 
 it 
 it 
 
 it 
 1 1 
 ii 
 
 
 14 
 
 11 
 
 8 
 
 14 
 
 2d 
 
 
 11 
 
 James' Bat'ln 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 3d S. Carolina. 
 
 it 
 
 ii 
 
 1 
 
 11 
 
 12 
 
 13th Missisap'i 
 
 Barksdalo's, 
 
 it 
 
 7 
 
 43 
 
 60 
 
 17th 
 
 •' 
 
 ii 
 
 10 
 
 70 
 
 80 
 
 18th 
 
 it 
 
 it 
 
 25 
 
 43 
 
 68 
 
 21st 
 
 •v II 
 
 ii 
 
 3 
 
 25 
 
 28 
 
 61st Georgia.. 
 
 Semmes', 
 
 « 
 
 30 
 
 119 
 
 149 
 
 10th 
 
 ii 
 
 it 
 
 23 
 
 105 
 
 128 
 
 63d 
 
 it 
 
 " 
 
 15 
 
 105 
 
 120 
 
 60th 
 
 it 
 
 ii 
 
 17 
 
 163 
 
 170 
 
 Cable Artill'y. 
 
 
 «« 
 
 4 
 
 12 
 
 16 
 
 Wash. 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 12 
 
 Alexander's •' 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 35 
 
 40 
 
 Lee's Cavalry 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Brigade 
 
 
 Stuart's, 
 
 4 
 
 7 
 
 11 
 
 Total 
 
 
 
 1,581 
 
 8,701. 
 
 10,281 
 
BATTLE OF KELLEYSVILLE. 
 
 REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL STUART. 
 
 Headquarters Cavalry Division, Army Of Northern Va., 
 
 March 25, 1863. 
 
 Brigadier General R. H. Chilton, 
 
 A. A. and I. (?., Headq-mrtcrs Army of Northern Virginia : 
 
 General: 1 have the honor to enclose herewith the very graphic 
 report of Brigadier General Fit/.hugh Lee of the battle of Kelleys- 
 ville, March 1 7th, between hie brigade and a division of the enemy's 
 cavalry. There is little to be said in addition. The disposition* 
 made for meeting this anticipated raid were sufficient to have pre • 
 vented or very much retarded the crossing of the Rappahannock at 
 Kelleysville. The report shows wherein these dispositions failed of 
 their object. The brigade, however, under its noble chief, so re- 
 deemed the day by an exhibition of the most extraordinary heroism 
 that we are half disposed to lose sight of the picket failure in the 
 outset. 
 
 Being charged by the commanding General specially with the pre- 
 parations to meet Stoneman, I was present on the occasion because 
 of the responsibility which would necessarily attach to me for what 
 was done ; but, having approved of General Fitzhugh Lee's plans, I 
 determined not to interfere with his command of the brigade as long 
 as it was commanded entirely to my satisfaction, and I took special 
 pride in witnessing its gallant conduct under its accomplished leader 
 The defeat was decided and the enemy, broken and demoralized, re- 
 tired, under cover of darkness, to his place of refuge— the main 
 army — having abandoned in defeat an expedition commenced with 
 boasting and vain-glorious demonstration. I have the honor to 
 enclose a copy of congratulatory orders trom division and brig 
 headquarters, and an order announcing to the division the death of 
 the lamented and noble Pelham. I was especially indebted to him 
 for his usual gallant services, and to Captain Harry Gilmer, twelfth 
 Virginia cavalry, who accompanied me as volunteer staff. Majof 
 Louis F. Tcrrill, the court-mart.hl to which he belonged having taken 
 
136 
 
 recess, buckled on his sword with very commendable zeal and came 
 to the field, where he acquitted himsulf with credit, both as an artil- 
 lerist and as staff officer. I cordially concur with the brigadier 
 general commanding; in the high praise bestowed by him on Colonel 
 T. L. ilosser, fifth Virginia cavalry, who, though severely wounded 
 et two, P. M., remained in command at the head of his regiment till 
 the day was won and night put an end to further operations ; on 
 Colonel James H. Drake, first Virginia cavalry, who led his regiment 
 in a brilliant charge upon the enemy's flank, routing and pursuing 
 him to his stronghold; on the lamented Puller and his comrades 
 fallen; on Lieutenant Hill Carter, third Virginia cavalry, and Peter 
 Fontaine, fourth Virginia cavalry, whose individual prowess attracted 
 my personal attention and remark, the latter receiving a severe 
 wound; on the very efficient staff of General Lee enumerated in his 
 report, and the many others to whom the 17th of March will ever be 
 the proudest of days. 
 
 Brigadier General Fitz Leo exhibited in the operations antecedent 
 to and consequent upon the enemy's crossing the sagacity of a suc- 
 cessful general, and, under the blessing of Divine Providence, we are 
 indebted to his prompt and vigorous action and the determined 
 bravery of his men lor this signal victory, which, when the od.ls are 
 considered, was one of the most brilliant achievements of the war,, 
 General Lee's command in action being less than eight hundred. 
 Most respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 J. E B. STUART, 
 Major General commanding. 
 
 IlKADtlUARTERp CaVALKY DIVISION", ArMY OF NORTHERN Va., > 
 
 March 20, 1863. \ 
 
 GEITBRAL ORDERS, 
 No. y. 
 
 The Major General commanding approaches with reluctance the 
 painful duty of announcing to the division its irreparable loss in the 
 death of Major John Pelham, commanding the horse artillery. He 
 fell mortally wounded in the battle of Kelleysville, March 17th, with 
 the battle cry on his lips and the light of victory beaming from his 
 eye. 
 
 To you, his comrades, it is needless to dwell upon what you have 
 Bo often witnessed, his prowess in action, already proverbial. You 
 well know how, though young in years, a mere stripling, in appear- 
 ance, remarkable for his genuine modesty of deportment, he yet dis- 
 closed on the battle-field the conduct of a veteran, and displayed in 
 his handsome person the most imperturbable coolness in danger. Tits 
 eye had glanced on every battle-field of this army from the first Ma- 
 naseas to the moment of his death, and he was, with a single excep- 
 tion, a brilliant actor in all. The memory of the. galhnt Pel/tarn, his 
 many manly virtues, his noble nature and purity of character is 
 
137 
 
 enshrined as a sacred legacy in the h?arts of all who knew him. His 
 record has been bright and spotless, his career brilliant and success- 
 ful. He fell the noblest of sacrifices on the altar of hi3 country, to 
 whose glorious service he had devoted his life from the beginning of 
 the war. In token of respect for his cherished memory the horse 
 artillery and division staff will wear the military badge of mourning 
 for thirty days, and the senior officer of the staff, Major Von Borck, 
 will place his remains in the possession of his bereaved family, to 
 whom is tendered, in behalf of the division, the assurance of the. 
 heartfelt sympathy in this deep tribulation. In mourning his dopar-> 
 ture from his accustomed post of honor on the field, let us strive to 
 imitate his virtues, and trust that what is loss to us may be more than 
 gain to him. 
 
 By command of Major General J. E. B. Stuart. 
 
 R. CIIANNING I RICE, 
 Major and Assistant Adjutant General, 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL FITZ. LEE. 
 
 Headquaters Lee's Cavalry Brigade, ) 
 March 23, 1863. 5 
 
 General R. H. Chilton, 
 
 A. A. G. and A. J. G., A. N. V. : 
 
 Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of an en- 
 counter on the seventeenth instant, between my brigade and a divis- 
 ion of the enemy's cavalry, certainly not less than three thousand 
 mounted men, with a battery of artillery : 
 
 My first intimation of their approach was in a telegram received at 
 eleven, A. M., on the 16th, from headquarters, army Northern Vir- 
 ginia. At six, P. M., scouts reported them at Morrisville, a little 
 place six miles from Kelley's ford. At one, A. M., another report 
 informed me that enemy had encamped at that place, coming from 
 three different directions. I that night reinforced my picket of twenty 
 sharp shooters by forty more. I regret to say that only about eleven or 
 twelve of them got into the rifle-pits in time for the attack of the 
 enemy, (owing to an unnecessary delay in carrying their horses to the 
 rear,) which commenced about five A. M. 
 
 The force in the pits under Ca-ptain James Breckenridge, of the se- 
 cond, behaved very gallantly, holding in check a large force of the 
 enemy, mounted and dismounted, for an hour and a half, killing and 
 wounding thirty or forty of them. I also ordered the remaining 
 sharpshooters of the brigade under that very efficient officer, Major 
 Morgan, first Virginia, to move from their camps by daybreak, to a 
 piont on the railroad, where the road turns to Kelley's, half a mile 
 from the railroad bridge, and three and a half from Kelley's ; and the 
 rest of the command was ordered to be in readiness to move at the 
 shortest notice. At that time a force was reported to be at Bealeton, 
 supposed to be their advance cuard, and it was uncertain whether 
 they would attempt to cross at Kelley's, the railroad bridge, or move 
 on towards Warren ton. 
 
 The report that the enemy's attack was made at Kelley's never 
 reached me ; and the first intimation I received from that point was 
 at half-past seven, A. M., to the effect that they had succeeded in 
 crossing, capturing twenty-five of my sharpshooters, who were una- 
 ble to reach their horses. I moved my command at once down the rail- 
 road, taking up a position, to await their approach, ordering my 
 baggage wagons and disabled horses to the rear, towards Rapidan sta- 
 tion. Some time elapsing, and they not advancing, I determined to 
 move upon them, and marched immediately for Kelley's. First met 
 the enemy half a mile this side of the ford, and at once charged them. 
 Their position was a very strong one, sheltered by woods, and a long, 
 high stone fence, running at right angles to my advance. My men 
 unable to cross the fence and ditch in their front, wheeled about, de- 
 livering their fire almost in the faces of the enemy, and reformed 
 again, facing about, under a heavy fire from their artillery and small 
 
139 
 
 arms. The third, in this charge, was in front, and first Lieutenant 
 Hill Carter was very conspicuous in his behavior. 
 
 From that time it was a succession of gallant charges by the vari- 
 ous regiments, and once by the whole brigade in line, whenever the. 
 enemy would show his mounted men, (they invariably falling back 
 upon his artillery,) and sheltered, dismounted skirmishers. Their to- 
 tal advarice was two miles from the ford. At that time, my artillery 
 anived, and they were driven back, recrossing the river about half- 
 past seven, with us in close pursuit. 
 
 My whole command acted nobly. Sabres were frequently crossed, 
 and fences charged up to; the leading men dismounting and pulling 
 them down, under a heavy fire of canister, grape and carbine balls. 
 Had I my command in the order it arrived in this enervating sec- 
 tion of country, and not weakened by the absence of four squadrons 
 on picket, guarding a line stretching from Griffinsburg on the Sper- 
 ryville turmpike to Richard's ford, and by the large number of horses 
 unfit for duty by exposure to the severe winter, with a very limited 
 supply of forage, I feel confident the defeat of the enemy would have 
 been changed into a disorderly rout, and the whole brigade resupplied 
 with horses, saddles and bridles. 
 
 Commanding officers of the detachments from the various regiments 
 engaged, mention, in their reports, as deserving special attention : In 
 the fifth, private Wm. J. Haynes, company F, badly wounded; pri- 
 vate A. R. llarwood, company E ; private Henry Wooding, company 
 C, especially commended, siezed the colors when the horse of the 
 color-bearer was shot, and carried them bravely through the fight; 
 sergeants Morecockand Ratcliffe, and private George James, company 
 H. In the fourth, Captains Newton and Old, Lieutenant Hobson and 
 Adjutant Fontaine, seriously wounded. Sergeant Kimborcugh, of 
 company G, deserves particular notice, wounded early in the day, 
 he refused to leave the field. In the last charge, he was # the first to 
 spring to the ground to open the fence ; then dashing on at the head 
 of the column, he was twice sabred over the head, his arm shattered 
 by a bullet, captured and carried over the river, when he escaped and 
 walked back, twelve miles, to his camp. Lieutenant Colonel Payne 
 commanding, also mentions privates Joseph Gilman, J. R. Gilman, 
 Poindexter, Redd, Sydnor, Terry and N. Priddy. In the third, Cap- 
 tain Collins, company 11 ; Lieutenants Hill Carter and John Lamb, 
 of company D; Lieutenant Stamper, of company F ; Lieutenant R. F. 
 Hubbard, company G ; and first Lieutenant Hall, of company C ; was 
 twice wounded, before be desisted from the charge, and when retiring, 
 received a third and still more severe wound, and was unable to leave 
 the field. Adjutant II. B. McClellan is also particularly commended 
 for his gallantry. Acting sergeant-major, E. W. Price, company K, 
 piivate Keech, company I ; and bugler-drilling sergeant Betts, of 
 company C ; Privates Young, company B ; Fowler, company G ; and 
 Wilkins, company C, died as became brave men, in the front of the 
 charge, at the head of the column. 
 
 In the second, the commanding officer reports, where fo many be- 
 
140 
 
 haved themselves with so much gallantry, he does not like to discrimi- 
 nate. 
 
 In the first, Captain Jordan, company 0, and Lieutenant Cecil, 
 company K, specially commended for reckless daring, without a 
 parallel. As coming under my own observation, 1 pirticularly 
 noticed Colonel T. L. Rosser, of the fifth, and his habitual coolness 
 and daring, charging at the head of his regiment. Co'onel James 
 Drake, of the first, always ready, at the right time and plice. Colo- 
 nel T. H. Owen, of the third, begging to be allowed to charge again 
 and again. Lieutenant Colonel W. II. Payne, of the fourth, un- 
 mindful of his former dreadful wound, using his sabre with effect in 
 hand to hand conflict, and the imperturbable self-possessed .\ T ajor 
 Breckinridge, of the second, whose boldr.ess led him so far that he 
 was captured, his horse being shot. Colonel T. L. Manford. of the 
 second, I regret to say, was president of a court martial in Culpeper 
 Court House, and did not know of the action, in time to join his 
 command, until the fight was nearly over. I also recommend, for 
 their behavior, Captain Tebbs, of the second, and Captain Litch- 
 field and Lieutenant Dorsey, of the first ; also Major W. D. Morgan, 
 of the first. 
 
 My personal staff, Majr»r Mason, Captains Fergusson and Bjwling, 
 Dr. J. B. Fontaine, and Lieutenants Lee, Ryals and Minnegerode, 
 rendered great service by their accurate and a quick transmission of 
 orders, and by their conduct under fire. Surgeon Fontaine's horse 
 was killed under him, and my own horse was also shot ; but, through 
 the generosity of private John H Owings, company K, first Vir- 
 ginia cavalry, attached to my headquarters, was quickly replaced by 
 his. 
 
 The conduct of couriers Owings, Lee, Nightingale and Henry 
 Shackelford, deserves the highest praise. The enemy's loss was 
 heavy. Besides leaving a number of his dead and wounded on the 
 field, he carried off a large number on horses and in ambulances. 
 We captured twenty-nine prisoners — a captain, two lieutenants, and 
 twenty-six privates. My own loss was eleven killed, eighty-eight 
 wounded and thirty four taken prisoners, making an aggregate of one 
 hundred and thirty-three. In horses seventy-one killed, eighty- 
 seven wounded, twelve captured, making an aggregate loss of horses 
 one hundred and seventy. 
 
 Among the killed, I deeply regret to report Major Puller, of the 
 fifth, and Lieutenant Harris, of the fourth. Both gallant and highly 
 efficient officers — a heavy loss to their regiments and country. 
 
 In conclusion, I desire espicially to state that Major General J. E. 
 B. Stuart joined me before the fight commenced, was on the field the 
 whole day, assisted immensely, by his sagacious counsels, large expe- 
 rience and by his usual daring and conspicuous example, in turning the 
 fortunes of the day in our favor. We share with him the anguish 
 and deep grief felt at the loss of the noble Pelham of his staff — an 
 officer of the brightest promises for the future. Major Terrill, of 
 General Stuart's staff, besides being active on the field, assisted the 
 gallant Breathed in the management of the artillery. 
 
141 
 
 Captain Gilmer, twelfth Virginia cavalry, a volunteer for the oc- 
 sion on the Major General's staff, I also commend for his marked 
 bravery and cool courage. I append a recapitulation of my loss. 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 [FITZ LEE, 
 Brigadier General commanding. 
 
 RECAPITULATION of the loss of Brigadier General Fitz Lets 
 . Covnlry Biigade in the engagen-.ent near Kdl^sville, March \1th, 
 1864. 
 
 
 Killed. 
 
 Wn'd<d. 
 
 Taken 
 I'rin'nrs 
 
 
 Horses. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 >> 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 c 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 £ 
 
 
 
 tD 
 
 £ 
 
 m 
 
 a 
 
 ■ 
 
 4> 
 
 £ 
 •c 
 
 an 
 
 
 "8 
 
 6 
 >* * 
 
 -3 
 
 1*3 
 
 
 
 
 S3 
 
 c 
 
 
 s 
 
 
 o 
 
 c 
 
 S 
 M 
 
 bu 
 
 
 o 
 1 
 
 ] 
 
 o 
 
 W 
 
 o 
 
 W 
 
 < 
 1 
 
 R 
 
 1 i 
 
 H 
 1 
 
 < 
 
 Field and staff 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 21 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 4 
 1 
 
 2 
 f» 
 1 
 
 16 
 
 31 
 10 
 
 1 
 
 14 
 3 
 10 
 
 34 
 
 5! 
 
 6 
 2-i 
 IS 
 
 •24 
 ll- 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 'JO 
 
 Third " '■ " 
 
 :l 
 
 Fourth " «' " 
 
 41 
 
 Fifth «' " " • 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 o 
 
 11 
 
 7 
 77 
 
 1 
 
 33 
 
 11 
 133 
 
 16 
 
 lS 
 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 3 
 
 71 
 
 87 
 
 12 ) 
 
 170 
 
CAVALRY OPERATIONS. 
 
 REPORT OF BRIO. GENERAL W. H. F. LEE. 
 
 Headquarters Lee's Cavalrt Brigade, ) 
 
 Near Culpeper Court- House, April 17, 1863. ) 
 
 Major R. Channino Price, 
 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Division Headquarters : 
 
 Major: I have the honor, agreeably to instructions from division 
 headquarters, to forward a report of the operations of my brigade on 
 the 14th and loth instants. During the night of the 13th, I received 
 information from Lieutenant Payne, commanding Black Horse scout, 
 that the enemy's cavalry and artillery in heavy force were moving up 
 from Fredericksburg in the direction of Kelley's ford. I immediately 
 sent Captain Boiling, company G, ninth Virginia cavalry, with his 
 company of sharpshooters, to reinforce the picket at that place. He 
 arrived before day and placed his men in the rifle-pits. About day, he 
 reports that, with a regiment dismounted as sharpshooters lining the 
 banks, the enemy's cavalry made a dash at the ford. They dashed 
 back at the first volley from our sharpshooters. Captain Boiling's 
 command consisted of about one hundred and fifty men. During the 
 morniDg of the 14th, they forced their way across the river at Rappa- 
 hannock station, the sharpshooters posted to protect the bridge 
 giving way and leaving the rifle-pits exposed to a flank fire. On the 
 appearance of reinforcements, they immediately recrossed, and the 
 horse artillery, superintended by Major Beckham, engaged the ene- 
 my's batteries. Firing was kept up by the artillery and sharpshooters 
 most of the day. On the 15th, their cavalry forced a crossing at 
 Wellford's ford, driving the few pickets off, and made a dash at Lieu- 
 tenant Colonel Lewis at Beverly's ford, driving him away. As soon 
 as the brigade could be brought forward, I proceeded at once to Bever- 
 ly's ford, and, with Colonel Chambliss' thirteenth regiment Virginia 
 cavalry, drove their rear guard, consisting of about two squadrons, 
 into the river, drowning a number of them, capturing fourteen pris- 
 oners, horses, &c. I cannot speak too highly of Colonel Chambliss 
 and his command. He had with him only about one good squadron. 
 
144 
 
 Lieutenant Nash, adjutant of thirteenth regiment, and Pat Freeman, 
 the Colonel's orderly, were conspicuous for their gallantry. The 
 regiment charged through a creek, the water up to their saddle-skirts. 
 Colonel Beale had crossed with the head of his regiment, but was 
 recalled. He captured one Lieutenant and ten privates and horses. 
 Major Beckham, with his artillery, rendered valuable aid, and he and 
 his officers deserve much praise for the remarkable manner in which 
 their guns were served. In closing this, I take pleasure in making 
 special mention of Captain Boiling. His conduct on this as on all 
 former occasions in battle, was nv.rked for coolness and gallantry. I 
 have the honor herewith to transmit reports from the commandants of 
 the respective regiments and batteries. Also to append a summary cf 
 the casualties and captures of the two days: 
 
 
 Killed. 
 
 Wounded. 
 
 Missing 
 
 Prisoners. 
 
 Horses. 
 
 
 Staff ninth 
 Virginia 
 
 m 
 
 *4 
 D 
 
 a 
 o 
 
 m 
 
 a 
 > 
 
 1 
 
 H 
 
 a 
 a 
 
 E 
 
 o 
 
 a 
 
 s 
 o 
 
 e 
 o 
 
 
 u 
 a 
 a 
 SB 
 O 
 
 m 
 > 
 
 o 
 
 •6 
 
 13 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 •9 
 9 
 u 
 
 3 
 
 P. 
 s 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Staff... 
 
 9th Virginia.. 
 
 13th Virginia. 
 2d N. Cari'na 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 3 
 
 I 
 1 
 1 
 
 12 
 
 A. A. General's horee's leg 
 
 broken. 
 Private nj'ssing supposed to 
 
 lie a prisoner. 
 
 Lieutenant Gary, of thir- 
 teenth, s ightly wounded. 
 
 CAPTURES. 
 
 One Lieutenant and ten pr vtes *>y ninth Virginia cavalry. 
 Four privates by thirteenth Virginia cavalry. 
 Sixletu horoes and equipments. 
 
 Referring to the horses captured from my command, I have to say 
 that, owing to the smallness of my force, (two regiments being detached,) 
 my picket at Welford's ford was small, and when the enemy dashed 
 upon Colonel Lewis they were separated some distance from their 
 horses, and being partially surprised, they had to make their escape 
 without their horses, as they were in great danger of themselves being 
 captured. It is needless to state that the Major General of cavalry 
 was on the field most of the time and that his presence gave confidence 
 and stability to the command. 
 
 I have the honor to remain, 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 W. H. F. LEE, 
 Brigadier General commanding cavalry brigade. 
 
 'V 
 
REPORT OF COLONEL CHAMBLISS. 
 
 Headquarters Thirteenth Va. Cavalrt, ) 
 April 17, 1863. \ 
 
 Captain : In obedience to instructions, I mve the honor to report 
 the operations of my regiment with the enemy, on the 14th and 15th 
 instants. On the 14th, under the direction of the General command- 
 ing brigade, my regiment was posted at Kelly's ford, supporting 
 sharpshooters, in the rifle-pits — Lieutenant Gary, company " D," 
 having been previously sent to the Rappahannock bridge with twenty 
 sharpshooters, to take position in the rifle-pits During the day, he 
 had been driven out of his position, and I called upon hitmfor an ex- 
 planation. He stated that the block house was occupied by a few 
 men of another regiment, posted to prevent the crossing of the bridge, 
 allowed the enemy to come over without firiog a shot, and thereby 
 exposed his flank — that he was fired into from that direction, while 
 a body of the enemy's mounted men were attempting to cross the 
 ford — these he gave a volley and retired on account of what has just 
 been stated. He left the pits with his men tut soon, however, took 
 position in the block house, under sharp fire of the enemy. Lieuten- 
 ant Gary was wounded ; no other casualties occurred during the day. 
 On the 15th, I received orders and moved, with my command, towards 
 Welford's ford, as the enemy was reported to havo crossed in large 
 force. Owing to heavy details, I had only fort\ .. a in camp, and 
 came upon the rear guard of the enemy near Beverly's ford, where 
 we charged them and drove them pell-mell into the river, capturing 
 fourteen prisoners and drowning several. The only casualties were 
 one man wounded and one missing. All the men and officers behaved 
 well and charged under heavy fire through a rocky and swollen stream. 
 It is useless to say more, as this occurred under the immediate eyes 
 of the General ; but I cannot close this report without mentioning the 
 energy and cool bravery displayed by my adjutant, Lieutenant Nash, 
 on the occasion above alluded to. 
 
 I am, Captain, vour obedient servant, 
 
 JOHN R. CHAMBLISS. 
 10 
 
REPORP OF COLONEL BEALE. 
 
 Headquarters 9th Virginia Cavalry, 
 April 11, 1863. 
 
 Brigadier General W. EWF. Lee : 
 
 I submit report of the part taken by this command, in the skirmish- 
 ing on the Rappahannock, on the 14th and 15th instants, together 
 •with casualties and captures. On the 14th, one company, under 
 command of Captain Stith Boiling, held the ford at Kelley's Mills, 
 and repulsed, with some lpss to the enemy, an attempt to cross with 
 a force of two or more regiments. Another company, under imme- 
 diate command of Captain John W. Hungerford, under Lieutenant 
 Colonel Lewis, held the ford at Beverly's mills. The balance were 
 engaged in watching the enemy at Rappahannock bridge, and re-es- 
 tablishing the pickets driven out in the morning. On the 15th, the 
 enemy having crossed in large force at a ford above, flanked that 
 portion of the command under Lieutenant Colonel Lewis, and came 
 down upon them by surprise. The coolness and admirable manoeuver- 
 ing of Lieutenant Colonel Lewis and Lieutenant G. W. Beale, in com- 
 mand of sharpshooters dismounted, alone saved this little band By 
 boldly charging the advance, the dismounted men were successfully 
 extricated from a position of great danger. The whole command in* 
 the evening, supported Colonel Chambliss in a charge upon the 
 retreating foe. We captured one first lieutenant of third Indiana 
 cavalry, and ten privates, tetf horses, ten carbines and seven pistols. 
 Our casualties were one private company A, killed, one private com- 
 pany H, missing, supposed to be captured, two horses killed and one 
 wounded, twelve horses captured. The conduct of officers and men 
 merits the highest commendation. 
 
 R. L. T. BEALE, Colonel commanding. 
 
REPORT OF CAPTAIN J. W. STRANGE. 
 
 Headquarters 2nd North Carolina Cavalrt, > 
 Near Brandy Station, April 16, 1863. ) 
 
 General W. H. F. Lee, commanding Cavalry Brigade : 
 
 General : In obedience to orders, I have the honor to report that 
 during the operations of the brigade, on the 1 4th instant, my command, 
 consisting of one hundred and sixteen mounted men, was held as a pro- 
 tection to the Whitworth gun, stationed on the road about a mile 
 beyond Brady Station, where we remained without any active duty 
 until relieved by your order, about nine, P. M.,and returned to camp. 
 On the morning of the 15th instant, twenty men under command of 
 Lieutenant James Baker, company D, were detached and sent to the 
 block house, at Rappahannock bridge to protect it, and I with the 
 rest of my command, were held as a protection to two guns of Captain 
 Moorman's battery, stationed near the bridge. These dispositions 
 remained unchanged until about two, P. M., when I received orders 
 to proceed, in company with Captain Moorman's guns, to Beverly ford 
 and there protect them in their operations against the enemy. We 
 saw no active duty during the skirmish, and after the enemy were 
 repulsed returned with the brigade to our present camp. During 
 these two days, the dismounted men, (143) rank and file, that had been 
 distributed at the different fords as sharpshooters, had several encoun- 
 ters with the enemy ; those stationed at Welford's ford, under command 
 of Lieutenant Lucky, company B, were driven off and privates Robert 
 H. Sumrou, company B, A. D. Clark, company D, J. H. Ray, com- 
 pany A, John Kelly, company A, were captured. These were the 
 only casualties that occurred in my regiment. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 J. W. STRANGE, 
 Captrin Co. D t commanding Regiment 
 
REPORT OF CAPTAIN MOORMAN. 
 
 Headquarters Moorman's Battery, i 
 April \6th, 1863. $ 
 
 Brigadier General W. H. F. Lee : 
 
 Pursuant to order, I have the honor to make the following report 
 of the part taken hy my battery during the engagement of the 14th 
 and 1 5th : 
 
 Upon the 14th, my battery moved from camp, near brigade headquar- 
 ters, following the ninth cavalry. Upon reaching a high hill, some mile 
 and a half below Brandy station, I was ordered, by Major Beckham, 
 to send ono pie,ce (rifled) forward to Kelly's ford, where, under com- 
 mand of Lieutenant Shoemaker, it fired repeatedly upon the enemy, 
 (across the river,) with what effect not ascertained. The remainder 
 of my battery, (two guns,) I moved, by order of General Stuart, to 
 Rappahannock bridge, and there opened upon, dispersing different 
 squads of the enemy. During the afternoon a section of the enemy's 
 guns were put in position behind earthworks and engaged my guns 
 for probably forty minutes and then retired. 
 
 I am happy to report no casualties during the day. 
 
 On the !5th, my battery was again called out and held in position 
 near the old church, upon the road (I believe) to Beverly ford. From 
 there it returned to camp, not being called upon. 
 • Respectfully submitted, 
 
 M. N. MOORMAN, 
 Captain, commanding Battery Light Horse Artillery. 
 
REPORT OF LIEUTENANT FORD. 
 
 Camp near Culpeper Court-House, 
 April 16th, 1863. 
 
 Captain W. S. Robins, Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 Captain : I was ordered, on the morning on the 1 4th, to move a sec- 
 tion of my battery near Rappahannock bridge — Lieutenant Brown's 
 section — consisting of a Napoleon and a Blakley rifled gun. We took 
 position with the Blakely about three-quarters of a mile from the 
 river, and shelled the enemy's sharpshooters who had occupied the 
 bills opposite. After dispersing them, I moved the section on the 
 hill immediately overlooking the river, and there exchanged shots, for 
 about half an hour, with a section of the enemy's artillery, which 
 was well protected by a redoubt. We sustained no injury. I am not 
 certain whether we punished our opponent or not. The redoubt wae 
 struck repeatedly. 
 
 About twelve o'clock, the next day, (15th,) I was ordered hurriedly 
 to Welford's ford, in the midst of a drenching rain ; arrived there ; 
 sharpshooters were again dispersed. 
 
 We returned to camp this morning, having expended about one 
 hundred rounds of ammunition, and having no casualty to report. 
 Lieutenant Burrows was with us also. 
 
 Officers and men behaved well ; and, notwithstanding the rain was 
 calculated to produce discontent, nothing of the kind was manifested. 
 I remain, your obedient servant, 
 
 C. S. FORD, 
 
 
l ^ 
 

 Date Due 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ifk ■' - 
 
 "1 • $p 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 J 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Form 335. 43M 8- 
 
 37. 
 
 
 
£73.7346 C748L 315909 
 Confederate States of Amer. 
 
 Report_of_Seneral_Rdb££ 
 
 973.7346 C748L 315909