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

In this engagement, which was very obstinate and well contested, that brilliant and gallant soldier, General Kershaw, and his brave South Carolinians, were particularly distinguished, and were supported in the most gallant manner by both General Semmes and his brigade, and by Colonel Barksdale and the two regiments of Mississippians who were in the action. Captain Kemper was intrepid and skilful in the management of his guns; and the conduct of his officers and men is deserving of the highest commendation. The dauntless and dashing manner in which Captain Inge, of Colonel Barksdale's staff, discharged his duties, under a fire of great severity, won my admiration.

My thanks are due to Major Bryan, Major Brent, Captain G. D. Monson, and Lieutenant Phillips, of my staff, for the meritorious and distinguished manner in which they performed their duties during that day. Lieutenants Eustis and Allston, my Aids-de-camp, discharged their varied duties with zeal and gallantry. Major Bloomfield, my chief Quartermaster, having been sent from the field by General Lee, to Richmond, on important business, returned in time to render me good service. I was also greatly indebted to Mr. J. Randolph Bryan, volunteer Aid, for devoted and gallant services on this, as on many previous occasions.

Next morning (Monday) early, I received orders, from General Lee in person, to proceed with my command to the Darbytown road, and a guide was furnished me by him, to conduct me thither. I promptly put my column in motion, and marched some twelve miles to Timberlake's store, on the Darbytown road, where I arrived about two o'clock P. M. There I received a note from General Lee's headquarters, informing me that he, with General Longstreet, was at the intersection of the New Market, Charles City, and Quaker roads, and inquired how far I had progressed en route to that point. [See paper filed No. 2.] Soon after, I received a communication, also from General Lee, through Major Bloomfield, directing me to halt and rest my men, but to be ready to move at any time.

In obedience to this order, my command remained at this place until about half past 4 o'clock P. M., when I received an order from General Longstreet to go with my command to the aid of General Holmes, on the New Market road. The owner of the farm at New Market, who was present at Timberlake's store, made an offer, which was accepted, to point out a short route to New Market, not practicable for artillery. The troops were instantly put in motion: the artillery, escorted by Semmes's brigade, proceeded by the Darbytown road; the infantry, by the shorter one, to New Market. After the column had marched, I received another order from General Longstreet, directing me to send the infantry by the shortest route, and to depend upon him for artillery. [See paper marked No. 3.] This plan, having been already substantially adopted, was adhered to. Soon after, a courier informed me that Colonel Chilton wished to see me in front, on the Darbytown road, and that he was sent to conduct me to him. I immediately galloped with him, and found Colonel Chilton near the intersection of the Darbytown and Long Bridge roads. He asked me where my command was; and after informing him what disposition had been made of my command by order of General Longstreet, he said he would show me where my right would be placed in support of General Holmes; and, conducting me through the woods to what is known as the River road, he pointed out the intersection of the road along which we came, with the River road, as the point at which my right was to rest, and instructed me to form my command there, and to march it diagonally through the woods, and I would thus find the position in which I would support General Holmes.

Having previously sent a staff officer to bring up General Semmes's brigade, which had been escorting the artillery, and sending another of the staff to New Market to hasten the troops, I left another staff officer to designate the point indicated by Colonel Chilton, and galloped myself to the front, on the River road, in the hope of finding General Holmes.

After going about a mile, without being able to see him, and it being near sunset, I directed another of my staff to find him, and inform him that I was moving up to his support on his left. I returned myself to the position of General Semmes, to which I had ordered my command, at New Market, to proceed rapidly. I ordered General Semmes to move forward through the woods, in obedience to Colonel Chilton's directions. He replied that it was impossible to do so, owing to the density of the woods, and the approaching darkness, without disorganizing his command. I informed him it was Colonel Chilton's order, and he attempted to execute it. I then galloped toward New Market, with the view of hurrying forward the remainder of my command, when I received an order from General Longstreet to bring one half of it to the position occupied by him, and very soon after, another order from Colonel Chilton to proceed with the whole of it to General Longstreet. This order was received at the intersection of the Darbytown and Long Bridge roads. I instantly despatched staff officers to bring up my command, directing General McLaws's division, which had been engaged the day before, and was extremely fatigued, to form the rear. I remained at the spot until the head of my advancing columns reached it, when, having ordered them forward on the Long Bridge road, I proceeded rapidly to the front, and reported myself to Generals Lee and Longstreet. General Lee directed me, as soon as my troops came up, to relieve those of General Longstreet, on his late battle-field, about a mile and a half in front. Proceeding to the battle-field, I directed the necessary dispositions of the troops to be made, as soon as they should come; and was occupied on duty until three o'clock A. M. on Tuesday morning. Having slept about an hour, I proceeded, before sunrise, to our front, where I learned that the enemy,