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

[722] orders, at half past 5 o'clock P. M., I ordered all the guns back to their respective commands.

Very respectfully, Colonel,

Your obedient servant,

Colonel: I have the honor to report that on the morning of the twenty-third August, ultimo, pursuant to your orders, I proceeded, with my battery of four smooth-bore Napoleon twelve-pounders, to a point on the right of and near the road to Beverley Ford, on the Rappahannock River and distant about a thousand yards from the river. My position on a hill sloping towards the river was not such a one as I would have desired, though doubtless the best the locality afforded. At sunrise I discovered a battery of the enemy in position immediately in our front, on a hill on the north side of the river, and I opened on it with spherical case. The enemy replied briskly, and for half an hour the firing was very spirited. During this time, I was considerably annoyed by an enfilading fire of a long-range battery posted to our right, and entirely beyond our range. After nearly an hour's engagement, I was gratified to notice that the fire of the battery in our front had perceptibly slackened; indeed, almost entirely ceased. Up to this time but one of my men had been wounded, and two horses killed. The batteries supporting me on my left at this juncture retired from the field, subjecting me to a galling cross-fire from the enemy's rifle battery in their front. I immediately changed front on the left and replied. The enemy, having our exact range, fired with terrible precision and effect. For some time we maintained this unequal conflict, when, having nearly exhausted my ammunition, and agreeably to your orders, I retired by half battery from the field.

I have to mourn the loss of a gallant officer in the person of First Lieutenant Isaac W. Brewer, who was killed just as he was taking his section from the field. Throughout the fight he managed his section with consummate ability, and fell while cheering his men. The service has lost no braver officer.

My casualties were:

Killed: First Lieutenant I. W. Brewer; privates, Thompson, McDonald, and Dolan--4.

Wounded: Corporal P. W. Pettiss; privates James Tully, Levy, Bourshee, Maxwell, Crilly, Kerwin, Lynch, and Joubert--9.

Twenty-one horses killed. Three hundred and fifty-six rounds ammunition expended.

I would be pleased to pay a tribute to the coolness and intrepidity of my command; but, where all acted so well, it would be invidious to particularize. I should be wanting in my duty, however, were I not to mention Lieutenants Hero and McElroy, and my non-commisioned officers, Sergeants McNeil, Handy, Collins, Ellis, and Stocker, and Corporals Coyl, Kremnelberg, Pettis, and De Blanc, who, by their coolness and close attention to duty, contributed not a little to the efficiency of my battery.

Respectfully,

Major: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the artillery of the light division in the series of battles commencing with Warrenton Springs, August twenty-four, 1862:

We arrived, as you know, near Warrenton Springs on Friday evening, the twenty-second of August. My command was all encamped that night near Scott's house. At early dawn on Saturday morning, I had all my batteries, with the exception of Captain Crenshaw's (his being short-range guns) battery, posted on the heights, Captain McIntosh's occupying the right, Captain Latham next, Captain Fleet and Lieutenant Hardy next. On west side of the road leading from Jeffersonton to Warrenton Springs, Captains Braxton and Davidson were in position. All was quiet on Saturday, until late in the evening, when the enemy advanced several of their batteries, and attacked the artillery and infantry of General Early's brigade, which had been thrown across the river. In this we took no part. On Sunday morning, the twenty-fourth August, the enemy commenced taking position opposite our batteries. General Early having been withdrawn, at ten o'clock they opened a terrific fire upon our position, to which we replied for a few minutes, but received an order to withhold our fire until the infantry should make its appearance. At about twelve, the enemy's infantry advanced, apparently with the intention of taking possession of the bridge which we, the day before, constructed. In accordance with orders, we opened upon them with all the guns. They were soon driven back, occasionally showing themselves afterward, but with the same result. Their loss was great, and, though we were under a terrific fire from not less than seven batteries from ten o'clock till six P. M., our loss was very small. The officers and men distinguished themselves on this occasion. We were relieved, at six o'clock P. M., by the artillery of General Hood's division, and retired to camp near Jeffersonton. My batteries were unparked at early dawn on Monday morning, August twenty-fifth, and, after a most fatiguing march, arrived at Bristoe Station about nine o'clock Tuesday night, where we camped for the night. Wednesday morning, I was ordered to follow my division to Manassas. As we approached the junction we were fired upon by two of the enemy's rifled