Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 9.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[317] mean time the centre of our line gave way, exposing my regiment. The enemy had already attempted to flank my regiment, and I deemed it prudent to fall back. I had nearly re-formed my regiment at the edge of the orchard, when the Seventh Louisiana, which had partly formed, was scattered by a raking fire and rushed through my line, scattering my men. General Trimble came riding up at a barn, some four hundred yards from our abandoned position, and asked them to go no further. I succeeded in rallying all that were near me, and sent Major Williams to rally the others, which he did.

I was again ordered to support Poague's battery, which had fallen back to their position at the commencement of the engagement. The enemy soon gave way. I followed with my command in pursuit for four miles, when ordered back, taking a back road, encamped on top of the mountain, which I reached at midnight. Many of my men fell along the roadside, worn out and exhausted from the hard labor of the day. In the pursuit we secured the colors of the Fifth Ohio, which were left on the field in their flight.

I deem it proper here to state that the officers and men, under my command behaved more gallantly than I ever witnessed them before. The coolness displayed by them on the morning of the eighth, was worthy the veterans who have contested with the insolent invaders, every step from the Potomac, up their beautiful valley, and on the ninth, held their position in face of superior numbers, under the murderous fire of grape, shell, and musketry, falling back when completely overpowered, and then only to be rallied by the words of their commanders.

Major II. J. Williams assisted me in the command, and acquitted himself honorably, cheering and encouraging the men, by example, to the work which was so well executed. Lieutenant A. J. Arnold, commanding company I, fell mortally wounded, while gallantly leading his company. He was a noble young officer, whose loss will be seriously felt by all who knew him. Lieutenant Wright, company D, was wounded and is a prisoner. Adjutant Cornall received a wound early in the action, and was sent to the rear. Robert Fisher, color-sergeant, who bravely bore the colors to the front amid the showers of shell and bullets, was wounded. Corporal Walter Monteiro received and supported our banner manfully through the engagement.

The casualties are as follows: Killed, four; wounded, eighty-nine; missing, twenty. Total, one hundred and thirteen.

Rank and file, four hundred and forty-seven, (strength of regiment.)

With but one regret, that we were unable to do more in repulsing these vandals, who have poluted our fair valley by their presence, I submit

Very respectfully,

Captain: I have the honor to transmit to you, for the information of Colonel Patton, commanding the Second brigade, a report of the operations of the Forty-eighth Virginia regiment during the recent engagement of the eighth, near Port Republic.

At about eight o'clock, on Sunday morning, the men matched to the hills overlooking Port Republic, and took up a line of battle, in which we remained during a heavy cannonade of some two or three hours. Orders were then received to march to the rear in the direction of the firing. The Forty-eighth regiment, followed by the other portion of this brigade, moved rapidly to the scene of action. Colonel Patton then detached the Forty-eighth regiment, and ordered me to move forward to the left of the road to support a battery, strongly threatened with being charged by the enemy. Here General Ewell placed the regiment in position, ordering to the front, as skirmishers, all the men with long-range guns. We remained at this place until about eight o'clock, at night, when we were ordered back to camp. Casualties during the day were three men killed, and one officer and eight men wounded.

Very respectfully,

Captain: I have the honor to transmit to you for the information of Colonel Patton, commanding the Second brigade, a report of the operations of the Forty-eighth Virginia regiment, during the recent engagement of the ninth, near Port Republic. At daylight on the morning of the ninth, the Forty-eighth regiment was ordered to report to Major-General Jackson at Port Republic. On reaching this point, I found that the General had left for the field of battle, and I immediately marched the regiment there, when I was ordered to take position with General Winder's brigade, and acted in conjunction with his and the Louisiana brigade, until the enemy was routed. The Forty-eighth regiment then joined in the pursuit, throwing out skirmishers, and. succeeded in capturing some sixty prisoners. Returning, we reached camp about two o'clock Monday night.

Casualties during the day, one man killed and four wounded.

Very respectfully,