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

[134] that the enemy had entirely abandoned the field and recrossed the Rappahannock.

Although my command was not at any time closely engaged, it was three times subjected to a sharp fire, and was, throughout the days of the thirteenth and fourteenth, in constant expectation of being brought into action. Under these circumstances every man remained firm at his post; not a straggler was to be seen leaving the ranks, and all evinced a commendable eagerness to engage the enemy, which needed only opportunity to ripen into the gallantry heretofore so conspicuous in the troops from Louisiana. Lieutenant-Colonel Nolan, commanding the First Louisiana regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel Goodwin, commanding the Fifteenth; Major Grogan, commanding the second; Major Leggett, commanding the Tenth, and Captain Verlander, commanding the Fourteenth,--are deserving of my especial commendation for the coolness and skill with which they commanded their respective regiments, and the promptness and energy with which they executed every order. I should entirely fail in my duty if I did not advert also to the valuable assistance rendered to me by First Lieutenant Thomas L. Mills, of the Tenth Louisiana, who tendered me his services as aid-de-camp for the occasion. His promptness and untiring activity in conveying my orders, although frequently exposed, are deserving of the highest praise, and I beg leave to mention him as eminently deserving of promotion. The casualties of my brigade have been heretofore reported at two killed and thirty-five wounded.

I have the honor to be,

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

Major: In conformity to circular order of eighteenth instant, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the battalion Washington artillery, of New Orleans, under my command, in the battles of the twelfth and thirteenth instants, near Fredericksburg, Virginia. The signal guns fired at four o'clock A. M., on the morning of the eleventh instant, aroused my camp, and gave notice that the enemy was in motion. Immediately the batteries of the First, Third, and Fourth companies (consisting of two three-inch rifles and one ten-pounder Parrot gun, under Captain Squiers, Lieutenants Galbraith and Brown, first company; two twelve-pounder light Napoleon guns, under Captain Miller and Lieutenant McElroy, third company; and two twelve-pounder howitzers and two twelve-pounder light Napoleon guns, under Captain Eshleman, Lieutenants Norcom, Battles, and Apps, fourth company) were placed in position in the redoubts on the hill back of the town, known as “Marye's Hill,” extending from the Telegraph road to the plank road. Notwithstanding the dense fog, which enveloped the country around, and completely hid from view the town and river banks, the enemy, at about seven o'clock A. M., opened upon the town a tremendous fire from his numerous batteries, which lined the Stafford shore, to cover his crossing. This cannonading he continued during the day, with but little intermission, and without any response from my batteries. The command bivouacked for the night in the works, beside their guns. The next morning, twelfth instant, the fog was again exceedingly heavy. At two o'clock P. M. it had raised sufficiently for us to discern the hills opposite the city, densely covered with the enemy's infantry and artillery. At twenty minutes to four o'clock P. M. a heavy column was observed near the gas works, below the town, upon which my batteries immediately opened a well-directed and destructive fire, causing the enemy to break and run for cover. During this firing, the enemy's heavy batteries (across the river) opened upon us with shell and shot, disregarding which, my men steadily worked their guns without replying. After about ten minutes, having dispersed the column, my batteries ceased firing, and continued to receive in silence the continued fire of the enemy. Another night, passed by the officers and men beside their guns, brings us to the memorable thirteenth December. At half past 12 o'clock P. M. the enemy was observed, in force, moving down upon our position through the streets of the town. Everything being in readiness, fire was immediately opened from all my batteries, at once halting and breaking his first advance. Again they emerged in greater force, and, apparently, with much steadiness. Gaining the crest of an elevated piece of ground in our front, he opened upon our position a galling fire of musketry, and of artillery from the hills beyond. The brigade of General Cobb, in front of my batteries, then opened fire, and the battle became general all along our line. Again and again did their heavy masses come forth from the town, only to be mowed down and scattered in confusion, as each time they formed and advanced. Three times their colors were levelled by the unerring aim of the gunners. At two o'clock P. M. a portion of General Ransom's division (supporting column) moved steadily across the plateau in my rear: halting but an instant on the crest of the hill, they delivered a volley, then plunged with a cheer into the road below and in front of us, already occupied by Cobb's troops. The sharpshooters of the enemy, under cover of a crest in front and the slope of the hill, kept up a galling fire upon our works, causing many of my gallant men to fall, killed and wounded, at their posts; among whom was Lieutenant H. A. Battles, Fourth company, severely wounded in the arm by a minie ball. Five several times did heavy masses of the enemy's infantry, supported by light batteries which had been placed in position on the field, advance from the cover of the town and the scattered houses, only to meet the