Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[103] I believe, called the Donelson artillery, by direction of Captain Latrobe, Assistant Adjutant and Inspector-General, took his piece from behind the epaulement in order to dislodge a body of the enemy upon whom the battery could not play. Most effectually he performed this service, but, in doing so, lost several of his men and had his piece disabled. His conduct was admirable, for, during the time, he was exposed to a direct fire of six and an enfilade fire of four guns.

With sadness, we mourn the loss of many gallant men; but I will pay a special tribute to the intrepid General Cobb, who fell, mortally wounded, in the midst of his men, while nobly defending our righteous cause. His brigade, throughout the day, remained at the post of honor, in the front line.

Among those who fell, and those of his comrades who lament his loss, there was not one more meritorious than the modest, but brave and manly, Major Kelly, of the Thirty-fifth North Carolina volunteers.

To two of my couriers, private Devam, Twenty-fourth, and private Hood, Thirty-sixth North Carolina volunteers, I am truly indebted for their devotion, gallantry, and intelligence, during the several days.

I herewith enclose a complete list of the casualties in my division; in the aggregate, five hundred and thirty. The wounded bear a large proportion to the killed. Before the town there were not engaged, all told, on our part, more than five thousand. It is impossible to estimate exactly the number of the enemy who were opposed to us. From prisoners taken, it is certain that all of Sumner's grand division and part of Hooker's were brought against the position. Among these can be named, specially, Hancock's and Whipple's division, the Irish brigade, and the whole of the regular infantry of the old United States army, the latter under Sykes.

The enemy's loss in killed must have been very large. Each of the nights of Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, the enemy bore off large numbers. On Tuesday I walked over the field, and the slain lay in many places piled up on each other. As I understand an accurate count of those buried has been made, I will not hazard an opinion as to the real number killed. The havoc was appalling.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the participation of my command, composed of the Texas brigade, Brigadier-General J. B. Roberston commanding; Law's brigade, Brigadier-General E. M. Law commanding; Anderson's brigade, Brigadier-General G. T. Anderson commanding; Toombs's brigade, Colonel H. L. Benning commanding, and Reilly's, Bachman's, and Gardner's batteries, in the battle of Fredericksburg, December thirteenth, 1862, and operations in connection therewith:

In obedience to instructions from the Lieutenant-General commanding, on hearing the signal guns, about two o'clock on the morning of the eleventh December, I immediately formed my command and moved into position along the crest of the hills stretching from Dr. Reynolds's house to near the railroad crossing, and occupied the Bowling Green road with a heavy line of skirmishers. Soon afterwards, I pushed forward about one hundred riflemen to harass the enemy in his efforts to throw a bridge across the Rappahannock River, at the mouth of Deep Run. This party was unable, however, to effect the desired object, in consequence of the ground not affording shelter to the men within rifle range of the river. My scouts having reported, near dark, that the enemy had completed a bridge across the river immediately below the mouth of Deep Run, and in my front, I increased my force in the Bowling Green road, and threw a line of skirmishers to the front, with orders to the commanding officer to hold the road. The enemy commenced crossing infantry and artillery at dark, and continued doing so throughout the night, at the same time deploying to their left, to and below Mr. Arthur Bernard's house, thereby indicating his intention to attack our right.

During the night, I withdrew the force from the Bowling Green road, and the line of skirmishers back to the road. At about ten o'clock, on the morning of the twelfth, I was relieved by General A. P. Hill's division, and, in obedience to orders from the Lientenant-General commanding, relieved General Pickett on my left. Discovering a body of the enemy's cavalry deployed along the railroad, I detached two companies from Toombs's and one company from Law's brigade, and, without loss on our side, drove them off, killing two or three men and five horses. About dark, General Pickett reoccupied his original position; and, in compliance with instructions from the Lieutenant-General commanding, I moved my command back to my original position, with orders to cooperate with A. P. Hill's or any other troops of General T. J. Jackson's corps.

On the thirteenth, during the engagement on the right of our line, a considerable force of the enemy defiled from the right bank of Deep Run, and, forming line of battle, advanced, driving our skirmishers from and occupying the railroad. Two of Brigadier-General Law's regiments, the Fifty-seventh North Carolina, Colonel A. C. God-win commanding, and Fifty-fourth North Carolina, Colonel J. C. McDowell commanding, were thrown forward, the Fifty-seventh leading, and in gallant style drove the enemy from the position he had gained, following him up to within three hundred yards of the Bowling Green road, and punishing him severely. These regiments, with the Fourth Alabama, Law's brigade, support, held the railroad until dark, when they were relieved by other troops from my command, who retained possession of it until the enemy recrossed the river, on the night of the fifteenth.