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

[561] Richards, independent scout, and to Lieutenant McCarty, acting Adjutant of the regiment, for their activity, zeal, and courage displayed on this occasion.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

In making my report of the part acted by the Thirty-seventh regiment in the action on Cedar Creek, on the ninth instant, it is necessary for me to state that it was late in the engagement when the command devolved on me; consequently I was not informed as to the position we were to take until after we had gone on the field. Being marched into the woods in rear of our batteries, we were ordered to lie down there to support them. Lying there for some time, very much exposed to the enemy's shells, which were continually bursting over and around us, we were then ordered to the field. Coming into the field, taking position on the left of the Twenty-third regiment, (which regiment was on the extreme right of the brigade,) we were marched forward, crossing a small hollow, to the brow of a low eminence, from which position the enemy, in three columns, in battle order, opened fire on us, which was gallantly returned by my men, which continued, the action soon becoming general. In this position, the action continued for some time. The first line of the enemy giving way, the second were thrown into the utmost confusion, when the left of this regiment (being left unprotected and unsupported by the Forty-seventh and Forty-eighth Alabama regiments having given way, and being thus exposed to a fire in front and rear, and on the left flank) was compelled to give away, which was taken up by each company from the left, not, however, until after we received orders to fall back, which was done in tolerably good order by most of the companies, some, however, becoming a little confused. I soon succeeded in rallying the men, not until a great many of them were killed by being exposed to fire from the front and left flank. As soon as they were rallied, they advanced gallantly to the contest, driving the enemy from before them in every direction. It is proper to state here, that this regiment would have been able to maintain its position had the Forty-seventh and Forty-eighth Alabama regiments been able to have maintained theirs. I must express my thanks to the officers and men of this regiment for the gallant manner in which they conducted themselves during the whole engagement; and, where all conducted themselves so gallantly, it is impossible to mention particular individuals, although there were those whose gallant conduct renders them worthy of the proudest position.

The Twenty-third Virginia regiment left its camp at this place, with the rest of the army, on the evening of the seventh August. It marched about eight miles that night, and bivouacked near Orange Court-House. The march was resumed early next morning, but not continued for more than a few miles, when it again halted for the purpose of cooking two days rations, rest, &c., During the night, a portion of the enemy's cavalry fired upon our pickets, and attempted to cut off our train of wagons. Our regiment was ordered to support the pickets, which it did, lying on its arms nearly all night. Some time after midnight our main guard was driven in, and the regiment double-quicked half a mile to meet the enemy. There was a sharp skirmish for a few minutes, and the enemy were routed. We took one prisoner and captured two horses.

During this skirmish, Lieutenant Trice, of company G, was badly wounded in the neck. Lieutenant Winston, of company A, was also wounded.

The army, or at least one portion of it, had a long and distressing march on the ninth, to the field where, on that evening, was fought the battle of Cedar Creek--distressing on account of the excessive heat, and scarcity of good water. The brigade reached the battle-field about four o'clock. This regiment, which had been on the left during the day, was detached and sent to the right, where it was ordered to lie down in the woods just in rear of Pegram's battery, for the purpose of supporting it. Here it remained nearly an hour exposed to the shells of the enemy, which were tearing the forest to atoms. The enemy's artillery then ceased to fire, and the regiment was ordered to advance, which it did, through the open field, in line of battle, with the Thirty-seventh Virginia on its left. When in four hundred yards of the enemy's line, fire was opened on them and continued for some time, when we were ordered to fall back a short distance (the Thirty-seventh having already done so) in order to be out of reach of a cross-fire upon our left flank, which was very close and very destructive. It fell back in some confusion. It was during this retreat, and while attempting to stop it, that the lamented Lieutenant-Colonel Curtis received his mortal wound.

The regiment again formed, advanced, and continued to advance, successfully repulsing a charge of the enemy's cavalry, taking prisoners of rank, until they were ordered, by General Jackson, to stop the pursuit.

The regiment behaved well, and there were individual instances of great gallantry; but it might be invidious to mention them.

Enclosed please find list of killed and wounded of the regiment in the battle of Cedar Creek.

Color-sergeant John P. Waddy, company G, Sergeant William A. Walton and Corporal John