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

[702] regiments composing this brigade has been heretofore furnished.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

Major: I have the honor to report that in obedience to an order received from Major-General Longstreet, on the evening of the twenty-second instant, accompanied by Major J. J. Garnett, chief of artillery on the staff of Brigadier-General D. R. Jones, and Captain C. W. Squiers, commanding the first company of Washington artillery, I made a reconnoissance of the position of the enemy in the vicinity of Beverly's Ford and Rappahannock Station, on the Rappahannock River, with the view, as instructed, to place the long-range guns under my command in position to open upon the enemy's batteries early on the following morning.

Having, during the night, made all necessary preparation, at daybreak on the morning of the twenty-third, I placed in position on the left, at Beverly's Ford, Captain Miller's battery, Washington artillery, four light twelve-pounder Napoleon guns; a section of two ten-pounder Parrott guns, under Captain Rogers, and one ten-pounder Parrott gun, under Captain Anderson; and on the hill in front of General D. R. Jones's headquarters, on the right, Captain Squiers's battery Washington artillery, four three-inch rifles; Captain Stribling's battery, one three-inch rifle and three light twelve-pounder Napoleon guns; a section of Captain Chapman's battery, one three-inch rifle and one light twelve-pounder Napoleon gun, under Lieutenant Chapman; and two Blakely guns of Captain Maurin's battery, under Lieutenant Landry. The heavy fog prevailing obscured the opposite bank of the river and the enemy's positions entirely from view until about six o'clock A. M., at which hour, the sun having partially dispelled the fog, I opened fire, from Captain Miller's battery, upon a battery of long-range guns of the enemy, directly in front, at a range of about one thousand yards. By previous arrangement, the batteries on the right and left of Captain Miller's position immediately opened, and the fire became general along the line. We had not long to wait for the response of the enemy, he immediately opening upon all our positions a rapid and vigorous fire from all his batteries, some in positions until then undiscovered by us. The battery engaged by Captain Miller was silenced in about forty minutes, notwithstanding the long-range guns under Captains Rogers and Anderson, on the left, had shortly after the commencement of the engagement been withdrawn from action and placed under shelter of the hill on which they had been posted, thus leaving the battery of the enemy, which it was intended these guns should engage, free to direct against Miller, and the batteries on the hill on the right; a most destructive enfilading fire. At this time Captain Miller changed position, and directed his fire against this battery, when a battery, on the right of that which had been silenced, opened upon him, subjecting him to a cross-fire, and causing him to lose heavily in men and horses. The fire was continued by Miller's buttery alone on the left until seven o'clock, when, after consultation with General Jones, and the firing of the enemy having greatly slackened, I ordered him to retire by half battery, which was handsomely done, in good order. At this time Lieutenant Brewer fell, mortally wounded. The combat on the right was gallantly fought by the batteries there placed in position. Captain Squiers assumed command of that part of the field, and won for himself renewed honors by the handsome manner in which he handled his batteries, and for the good judgment and coolness he displayed under the heavy fire of the enemy, to which he was subjected during four hours, without intermission. I enclose herewith Captain Miller's report [A] and that of Captain Squiers [B] (of the operations on the right) for reference and for particulars, to which I respectfully ask the attention of the General commanding. The object sought to be obtained by this engagement, I am happy to say, was fully accomplished by driving the enemy from all his positions before nightfall, and causing him to withdraw from our front entirely during the night. I have to lament the loss, in this engagement, of a zealous, brave, and most efficient officer in Lieutenant Isaac W. Brewer, third company Washington artillery, who fell at the head of his section at the moment it was being withdrawn from the field, and of many non-commissioned officers and privates. The officers and men, in all the batteries engaged, are deserving the highest praise for their gallantry upon the field. The attention of the General commanding is respectfully directed to those named particularly in the reports of Captains Miller and Squiers. Too much praise cannot be awarded to Captain Miller and his brave company for the stubborn and unflinching manner in which they fought the enemy's batteries, in such superior force and position, on the left, and to Captains Squiers and Stribling, and Lieutenants Landry and Chapman, on the right. I am indebted to Captain Middleton, of Brigadier-General Drayton's staff, to Lieutenant Williams, of General D. R. Jones's staff, and to Lieutenant William M. Owen, Adjutant Washington artillery, all of whom were constantly with me under fire during the engagement, for their valuable assistance and zealous, fearless conduct on the field. There are none more brave or more deserving consideration than these gentlemen. I annex a list of casualties, [C,] and have the honor to be,

Very respectfully,