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

Early Saturday morning I was ordered to the left, and took position in rear and supporting distance of Brigadier-General Paxton's brigade, in the following order: Thirty-seventh Virginia regiment, commanded by Colonel T. V. Williams; Tenth Virginia regiment, commanded by Captain W. B. Yancey; Twenty-third Virginia regiment, commanded by Captain A. S. Richardson; Forty-seventh Alabama regiment, commanded by Captain I. M. Campbell; Forty-eighth Alabama regiment, commanded by Captain C. B. St. John. During the day I was advanced to the front, until I came up to the second line, at which point I received orders to fall back to the military road and occupy it.

Next morning, in accordance with orders, I occupied the front line on General Paxton's left. Early in the morning my skirmishers engaged those of the enemy for a short time, but during the day and night following this part of the line was remarkably quiet.

Monday morning, being relieved, we retired to the third line. Captain Wooding's battery was detached from the brigade Friday morning, and its action did not come under my observation. It was, however, early in the action, and sustained its reputation for gallantry and efficiency, but I regret to say, suffered severely--Captain Wooding and Lieutenant Jones both being severely wounded. The loss sustained by the brigade, not including loss in battery, was slight, being two officers and fourteen privates wounded. I refer to the report already furnished for names, &c.

Most respectfully,

On the morning of twelfth December, the regiment with the brigade left camp with two hundred and forty-six men, non-commissioned, &c., with seventeen commissioned officers, taking the road leading to Fredericksburg. Having marched a distance of about six miles, we were halted along the railroad and ordered to load; which being accomplished, we marched and countermarched along the railroad. Taking an oblique course across the field to the left of the road, we proceeded along and upon the top of the hills overlooking the valley about and around Fredericksburg, where we remained during the remainder of the day and night, without anything of importance occurring worthy of note. In the morning, at nine o'clock, cannonading became very heavy on our right, which continued until the fire was extended along our whole line. During this artillery duel several of the men upon the left of the regiment were wounded, one seriously, in Company F. About one o'clock we were again ordered back, and formed line of battle four hundred yards in rear of our former position. After remaining in this position a short time the roar of musketry plainly indicated that the battle had commenced. We then moved forward to what is called “the military road,” under heavy fire of shell, &c. We were there halted a few moments, then ordered by the right flank, moving forward perhaps half a mile, when halted again for a few moments, throwing out skirmishers at the same time, moving forward in line of battle for a few hundred yards to a fence a short distance from the railroad, then we were halted and remained until the firing ceased, which was a little after dark, then we moved back to the military road and remained until near daylight, when we were moved forward and took a position in front along the railroad. In this position we remained during the day and night with no other casualties, save one man wounded in Company E. The firing continued during the along the whole line of skirmishers; remaining in this position during the day and night, we were relieved near daylight by General Rodes's brigade, when we took up the line of march, moving back perhaps one mile and a half, where we remained until next morning about nine o'clock, at this period we were ordered to move, taking the direction of Port Royal, we marched until a late hour, where we encamped upon the farm of in Caroline county, Virginia, where we now are. I must say, in conclusion, with the exceptions already mentioned in a former report, that men and officers never behaved so gallantly, and, in justice to all, I can give no one more praise than another. Sufficient to say that all were at their posts and did their duty. Annexed you will find list of casualties.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

Company E.--Wounded: John Harris, seriously in abdomen.

Company F.--Wounded: Lieutenant John M. Brown, slightly in leg; Private Alfred Shefiet, leg amputated; Sergeant J. Dunlop, slightly in shoulder; Wm. H. Rodgers, seriously in leg; John Jorden, slightly in arm; Wm. T. Baily, slightly in shoulder; James Trimble, slightly in knee.

Company L.--Wounded: Corporal Gerard Kin, slightly in leg; F. M. Wood, accidental in finger.

Total number wounded, eleven.

Respectfully,