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

[141] battery, six pieces, had been placed in the rear of Marye's Hill, with a view to fire upon the enemy, in case they succeeded in taking that position. This battery occupied a position of danger and responsibility, and their courage and firmness, under fire, were well exhibited. Of this battery, two men were wounded, one horse killed, five public horses and Captain Mosely's horse wounded.

Besides these, there were twelve short-range pieces, under command of Major Nelson; two pieces of Captain McCarthy's battery, and three pieces of Captain Coalter's battery. These guns did not fire during the engagement.

In the Yankee accounts of the battle, it is stated that about one fifth of the killed and wounded were from the artillery. When it is recollected that this account takes in the losses on their left, where we used but little artillery, it would seem probable that their proportion of losses from the artillery in the battle in front of Marye's Hill was much greater.

I have the honor to be,

Major, very respectfully,

Major: I have the honor to report that, in conformity with orders, I moved my command on the night of the eighth instant, above Fredericksburg, near the canal, and relieved the Twelfth Mississippi regiment, then on duty as a reserve force for the support of our pickets.

On the morning of the eleventh instant, at about five o'clock, I received orders, to report with my command at once, at the market-house, to Brigadier-General Barksdale. Before reaching the above place, I was intercepted by General Barksdale, and ordered to a point on the river forming the site of the old ferry, and instructed to confer with Lieutenant-Colonel Fizer, commanding Seventeenth Mississippi regiment, as to the best manner of disposing of my force to prevent the enemy from effecting a crossing. I was informed by General Barksdale that the enemy were attempting another crossing below the city, and, as the point at that ford was weak, I was to send three companies of my command to strengthen the same. I immediately placed companies A, F, and D, under command of Captain Boyd, with instructions in conformity with the above. I then formed the remaining companies in line of battle, in such manner as would best command the crossing and afford a cover for my men. The enemy were seen on the opposite bank, drawn up in two lines of battle, and his pontoniers were busily engaged in constructing a bridge. It was understood between Colonel Fizer and myself — my command being in position — that he would open fire and I would continue the same. At about half past 5 A. M. the pontoniers having advanced the bridge about two-thirds across the river, the Seventeenth Mississippi opened fire, and my command at once did the same, with good effect, the enemy being compelled to abandon his work and flee to points of security. The force of the enemy supporting the pontoniers immediately opened a heavy fire with artillery and musketry, which was kept up almost continuously the whole day. Each attempt of the pontoniers to continue their work was met by a well-directed fire from my command. Four officers of my command and about twenty enlisted men were wounded, and seven killed, when I was borne from the field, having received a severe wound in the head. The command then devolved upon Captain Love, who maintained the position, though exposed to a galling fire of shell, shot, canister, and musketry, until about four o'clock P. M., when, in accordance with orders, he withdrew his force. I regret that the absence of Captain Boyd, who together with the three companies composing his command are missing, renders it impossible to give a report of the service performed by him. It is proper to remark that Captain Boyd regarded the position intrusted to him as so exposed, and admitting of so little means of escape, that he objected to occupying the same until the order was repeated. I am pleased to say that my command behaved in a manner creditable to their State and the noble cause in which they were engaged. Below I furnish you with a list of the casualties of the Eighth Florida regiment:

Captain D. Lang, commanding regiment, seriously wounded in the head; Assistant Surgeon D. Hooper lost a leg.

Company B.--Privates T. M. Gray and J. N. Marshall, killed; First Lieutenant Hector Bruce, wounded in neck, slight; Corporal Charles Mc-Call, head, severe; Corporal T. Harper, hand, slight; Privates J. P. Bracewell, abdomen, serious; George S. Lambert, J. F. Cox, J. R. Prevalt, slight; J. R. Green, missing.

Company A.--Sergeants J. N. Fielding, wounded, slightly; N. H. Allman, missing. Privates J. Bootright, F. Briant, G. W. Crawley, J. Driggers, D. Howlk, B. J. Redding, G. B. Ross, and A. Williams, missing.

Company C.-Privates T. Saunders and E. Curl, wounded, severe; H. Daughtry, slight.

Respectfully,

Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my battery in the engagements before Fredericksburg:

The signal gun fired Thursday morning, the eleventh instant, found every man at his post. I had two sections of my battery on the field, the first commanded by Lieutenant Prosper Landry,