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

[155] and kept a sharp look out for the safety of that flank. I apprehended that if the enemy was near at hand they would take advantage of this gap, and fall upon our flank at this unguarded point; and so it turned out. How, and in what way, the enemy gained this advanced position, and what disposition had been made of our front line, it is impossible for me to say. The gap was there, and they pushed forward with a large infantry force and a battery of artillery, as was ascertained from prisoners captured and wounded men upon the field. Observing them through the dense foliage at a distance, and the Brigadier being at a different point on the line, I took the responsibility of filing my regiment to the right, presenting my front to the enemy. No sooner had I gotten into position than they opened a heavy fire of musketry and artillery, to which the regiment replied rapidly and effectively, men and officers standing to their posts and doing their duty as only veterans know how. I rejoice to be able to say that there were but few men in the regiment who disgraced the name of soldier. It was during this brief but brisk fight that the regiment sustained a loss of three killed and seventeen wounded. Among the latter were Lieutenant William B. Colston, commanding Company E, and Lieutenant J. J. Haines, Company E. The enemy soon fled. We then advanced to within a short distance of the railroad, (the front line of the army,) and remained in this position until about seven o'clock P. M., sending forward Company C, (Captain Randolph,) as skirmishers to the railroad. About this time the brigade was withdrawn to the military road, where we slept upon our arms until half past 3 o'clock A. M., fourteenth instant, when we were ordered to take position in advance, along the line of railroad. There was quite lively skirmishing during the entire day — had one man wounded.

About five o'clock A. M., on the fifteenth instant, the brigade was relieved by Rodes' brigade, of D. H. Hill's division, and returned to the rear in third line — reserve.

During the entire four days of exposure, suspense, and danger, both officers and men evinced the true spirit of patriots and soldiers. I cannot but feel proud of the honor of having commanded such men. Captain R. T. Colston, second in command, and Adjutant R. W. Hunter, deserve honorable mention at my hands for gallantry and good conduct during the engagement, and their material aid in the command of the regiment.

Respectfully submitted,

Company A.--Private Thomas Barr, severely wounded by gunshot, not serious.

Company E.--First Lieutenant W. B. Colston, severely wounded by shell, very serious; Second Lieutenant J. J. ames, severely wounded by musket ball, not serious; private Samuel Stuckey, severely wounded by gunshot, not serious; private Harvey Kite, severely wounded by gunshot, not serious; private N. D. Rittenhour, severely wounded by gunshot, not serious; private Alexander Porterfield, slightly wounded by shell; private John Kiser, mortally wounded, and since died.

Company F.--Private J. M. Fleming, killed by shell; private Ford Friar, mortally wounded by gunshot.

Company G.--Sergeant Charles M. Asquith, slightly wounded by shell; private Fayette Rawlins, severely wounded by shell, serious; private William Kerl, slightly bruised by shell; private Daniel Moler, slightly bruised by shell; private Samuel Fay, slight; private Charles G. Tabb, slight.

Company H.--Private J. A. Luck, severely wounded by gunshot, not serious; private James Hicks, slightly; private William Reed, severely wounded by gunshot, not serious.

Company I.--Private J. T. Barr, severely wounded by gunshot, not serious.

Company K.--First Lieutenant B. W. Moore, slightly bruised by shell.

Total, twenty-one.

Sir: In obedience to order, I respectfully submit the following report of the participation of my regiment in the late battle of the thirteenth instant, before Fredericksburg, viz.:

General Paxton's brigade, of which my regiment forms a part, occupied, on the morning of the thirteenth, the rear position, or the third parallel line, in supporting distance of General Gregg's brigade, which occupied a position on the second parallel line. About nine o'clock A. M., a heavy cannonading commenced, and was kept up till about noon, to which my regiment, and the brigade generally, was severely subjected, but unflinchingly withstood. About noon the infantry became engaged, and the battle, for hours, raged furiously. Our line in front finally seeming to give way, my regiment, together with the remainder of the brigade, eager for the fray, moved up rapidly and in good order (passing over troops which, to all appearance, seemed to be doubting as to their duty) to the support of their comrades in front. The enemy, however, had been whipped back in the mean time, and our brigade became not engaged. The remainder of the day was engaged in changing position, but the enemy did not advance.

I sustained no loss in either killed, wounded, or missing. I would, however, here remark that I have never seen the officers and men of my