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

Major: On arriving at Hamilton's Crossing, on the Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad, Saturday, the thirteenth instant, about ten o'clock, I proceeded to place my brigade, according to orders, in line of battle, with my right resting on the railroad, and the line extended on the road leading to Spottsylvania Court House. Here I was directed to remain, and to take advantage of the shelter afforded by the hills on the north.

A short while before noon an order was conveyed to me to advance in line, through the woods, towards the front. I accordingly put my line in motion. While advancing, I was informed of the existence of a ditch on the crest of the hill overlooking the river bottom, and directed to occupy it as a rifle-pit. But, on reaching the place, I discovered other troops in possession of the ditch, and accordingly halted my line a few yards in their rear, in readiness to advance in support. In this position I continued the remainder of the day and the night following.

The next morning, the fourteenth instant, at dawn, my brigade was moved several hundred yards to the left, on a line with the ditch above referred to, in rear of and supporting General Paxton's brigade, then occupying the railroad. While in this position, I was directed to send a regiment to fill up a gap in the line along the railroad, between the brigades of General Paxton and General Trimble, then commanded by Colonel Hoke. The Seventh Louisiana regiment was sent to complete this line. The remainder of the brigade continued to occupy the line indicated during Sunday, the fourteenth instant, and the night succeeding.

In the morning following, the fifteenth instant, I resumed my original place, near Hamilton's Crossing, and there remained until the sixteenth instant, when I was ordered to occupy a line in rear of the batteries posted on the hill, with my right resting on the railroad. I had barely reached my position, when, the retreat of the enemy being discovered, I was ordered back to the crossing, and, in a short time thereafter, took up the line of march in the direction of Port Royal.

My loss, amounting to nine killed, forty-four wounded, and one missing, was inflicted by the enemy's batteries, while advancing in line, on the thirteenth instant, to the brow of the hill in front.

I have to commend the zealous promptness of officers and men in obeying my orders, and the earnest desire they evinced to meet the enemy. And, I am happy to add, there was less straggling during the several days of the recent engagements, than I have ever known. To Captain New and Lieutenant Macon, of my staff, I am indebted for the cheerful discharge of their respective duties.

Captain: Between twelve and one o'clock on Saturday, the thirteenth ultimo, Lieutenant Dwight, of General Kershaw's staff, ordered me to take my regiment, the Second, and the Eighth, Captain Stackhouse, to the support of General Cobb, on the Telegraph road. I moved out, left in front, the Eighth following. In rear of the extreme right battery of Colonel Walton's artillery (on Fuller's Hill), I halted the Second regiment until Captain Stackhouse closed up. I then moved the two regiments into the field to the left of the wood, (in which I had halted,) fronted, and advanced in line of battle, making the Eighth the battalion of direction, and obliquing to the right, so as to throw the two commands between the two right batteries of the Washington artillery (Colonel Walton's) on the hill and the Marye house. The fire of shell and small arms was terrific, raking the whole field. The men moved forward in fine style, obeying promptly every command issued. When I arrived at the crest of the hill I gave the command, “Double-quick,” and moved the two regiments to the stone fence on the Telegraph road, where General Cobb was posted. One volley was fired before reaching it, and that by the Eighth regiment. The Eighth regiment supported a portion of General Cobb's brigade, to the right, and the Second was disposed as follows: three companies on the left of the Eighth, one company and the half of another at the small house near the centre of General Cobb's line, (where General Kershaw made his headquarters,) three companies and a half to the left of this house, behind a stone wall, in rear of the Twenty-fourth Georgia regiment. Captain Pulliam, with his company, came up shortly after this disposition of my command, and was sent to a stone fence, where the Philips' legion (of General Cobb's brigade) was posted to the left of the Twenty-fourth Georgia, and, although later in the action than the rest of my regiment, (having failed to hear the order to move out of the trenches,) did fine execution. The action continuing until after dark, advance after advance of the foe was repelled. The whole regiment acted with cool daring and high courage; men never did their duty more thoroughly. My position being in the centre, I appointed Captain Wallace to superintend the operation of the left wing, and Captain Leitner the three companies on the right. I gave my attention to the operations of both, and of the centre. These officers deserve notice for their deliberative, prompt execution of every order. Major Gaillard was slightly wounded in advancing across the field, commanding the Second South Carolina regiment, (I, acting as commander of both battalions, the Second and Eighth). Shortly after reaching the stone wall, General Kershaw detailed him to convey