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

“ [299] particularly commend the gallantry of Lieutenant Walker, company E, Forty-fourth Virginia. There may have been others equally worthy of commendation, but I could not fail to notice him. When the brigade halted in the field and sat down, he alone stood erect, went in front and attempted to get the brigade to advance still nearer the enemy.” I inclose this report, and recommend the officer to executive favor. Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. Jones, Major James Barbour, Lieutenant T. T. Turner, and Captain Hugh M. Nelson, of my staff, rendered valuable service in rallying the broken troops. Lieutenent G. Campbell Brown was absent, owing to the wound received the day previous. I inclose sub-reports of Colonel Scott and General Taylor; also a detailed list of killed and wounded, amounting to seventy-eight killed, and five hundred and thirty-five wounded, and four missing; in all, six hundred and seventeen killed, wounded, and missing.

Respectfully, etc.,

sir: I have the honor herewith to report the part taken by this brigade in the operations of the eighth and ninth instant, near Port Republic, Virginia:

Whilst quietly in camp, Sunday morning, the eighth instant, between eight and nine o'clock, I heard artillery to our right and rear, which I inferred must be that of the enemy. Captain Poague came in at this time and informed me he had ordered his battery to be prepared for action. I approved it, and requested him to transmit to Captain Carpenter, camped just by him, instructions to the same effect. The good judgment of both these officers had anticipated such orders — a most fortunate circumstance, indeed, as the enemy were pressing rapidly on our rear.

General Jackson rode to my tent at this time, and ordered me to send a regiment to the bridge over the Shenandoah at Port Republic in double-quick time. I at once sent orders to Colonel J. W. Allen, commanding Second regiment, to conduct his regiment to that point. Mounting my horse, I rode in the direction of the bridge. Passing Poague's battery, I observed a Parrott gun hitched up, and ordered it to follow me. About a quarter of a mile from camp I discovered the position of a battery of the enemy across the river, it sending shell just across the road, but too high to do any damage. The gun arriving, I turned it to the left to bear on the aforesaid battery, when General Jackson directed me to send it to him on the right; this I did, and awaiting the arrival of other guns, which were soon brought up and placed in position on the hill commanding the opposite side of the river. The second shot silenced the enemy's battery, causing it to limber up and move off.

Carpenter's battery arriving, I ordered it to be placed on the left of Poague's and the eight pieces of the two batteries to be directed on the retreating battery and column of infantry advancing up the road. The guns were admirably and rapidly served, pouring a heavy and destructive fire upon the enemy. His column halted, staggered at so warm a reception, wavered, and then retreated down the road, being signally repulsed by the artillery alone. I directed the pieces to move to the left, keeping up a constant fire so long as he was within range. Two or more guns were moved a mile beyond the original position.

Colonel Allen, Second regiment, arriving, I directed him to move to the left, (General Taliaferro's brigade having gone to the bridge,) throwing out skirmishers, guarding against a flank movement by the enemy. The Fourth regiment, Colonel Ronald, was ordered to support this regiment. The Fifth regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Funk, supported Poague's battery. The Twenty-seventh, Colonel Grigsby, supported Carpenter's battery. The Thirty-third regiment, Colonel Neff, was advanced on the left and held in position to repel a flank movement, and at night picketed near the same point. Some few unimportant changes occurred during the day, but the enemy did not again advance within range of our guns. So heavy and well-directed was our artillery fire, he was obliged to abandon a howitzer and two limbers, which were found in the woods on the following day, being a portion of the battery used against us in the morning. I had observed him trying to remove it, and succeeded beyond my expectation in forcing him to leave it, though I knew he had not taken it off by the road by which it advanced. The brigade moved to camp at dark, just above Port Republic. The total strength of the brigade was one thousand three hundred and thirty-four rank and file in action.

On the morning of the ninth instant, at forty-five minutes past three o'clock, orders were immediately given, and the head of the brigade reached the point indicated at that hour. I met General Jackson shortly thereafter, who ordered me to move across South River, on a temporary foot-bridge being constructed. I sent Lieutenant Garnett to recall Colonel Neff's regiment from picket, and then moved the brigade as indicated. I was ordered to follow the road down the valley. I placed Colonel Allen in front, throwing forward two companies as an advanced-guard. Having proceeded about a mile, the cavalry in front reported the enemy's pickets. General Jackson being near, I referred the officer to him. I then received orders to drive them, occupy the woods in front, and attack the enemy. I directed Captain Nadenbousch, commanding advance, to deploy skirmishers on either side of the road, and move forward. Captain Carpenter to advance two pieces, take post on left of road, and shell the pickets. These orders were rapidly and well executed. The enemy's pickets disappeared and the skirmishers advanced, the line being