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

Major: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my division, in the battle of Fredericksburg: Upon the signal being given, on the morning of the eleventh of December, the troops were placed rapidly in position, in rear of the line of field works and batteries, extending from Hazel Run, on the right, to the Waterworks dam on the left, in the following order: Featherston's, Perry's, Mahone's, Wright's, and Wilcox's brigades.

In the afternoon of the eleventh, Ransom's division having been placed between Hazel Run and the plank road, Featherston's brigade was moved to the left of that road. About dark General Ransom recrossed Hazel Run and Featherston was replaced in his former position. Detachments of one regiment from each brigade were thrown in front of the batteries, and strong pickets were pushed forward toward the town and along the canal.

Early on the twelfth, General Ransom resumed his former place behind Hazel Run and the plank road, and Featherston's brigade was again drawn to the left of the road. This position of the brigades, in the order above mentioned, was maintained until Thursday the seventeenth of December, when the division was withdrawn, and the troops returned to their camps. Previous to the commencement of the engagement there were two regiments, the Third Georgia and Eighth Florida, of Wright's and Perry's brigades, on duty in and near Fredericksburg. These regiments had been placed under the orders of Brigadier-General Barksdale, commanding in the town, and were engaged with the enemy when he was laying his bridges, and preparing to cross the river. The Third Georgia met with but very slight loss. The Eighth Florida suffered a loss of eighty-seven killed, wounded, and missing. The missing (43) were undoubtedly captured. The detachments and pickets which were advanced the first night in front of the batteries and along the canal, continued to occupy their posts, and they suffered some loss.

The whole loss of the division was one hundred and fifty-eight killed, wounded, and missing. The commanders of batteries, Captains Marion, Huger, and Lewis, and Lieutenant Peet, commanding Grandy's battery, merit especial notice for their skill, courage, and good management throughout the five days. Their batteries were subjected to a very heavy fire from those of the enemy. None of their shot, however, were spent in an artillery duel, but were reserved for those opportunities which the advancing and retiring columns of the enemy gave them.

It gives me pleasure to say that the most commendable spirit was exhibited by the officers and soldiers of the whole division. Their patient endurance of the exposure to which they were subjected, gave assurance of good conduct and gallant deeds, had an opportunity been presented. Featherston's and Perry's brigades lay four days and nights in an open field without shelter and without fire. It is due to Brigadier-General Mahone to say that he discovered and pointed out the important position for a battery, which enfiladed the slope upon which the enemy formed his battalions before and after his attacks upon Marye's Hill, and that he rendered very efficient service, assisting in the construction of the battery which drove them from that place of shelter. I beg leave to mention also Brigadier-General Cadmus M. Wilcox, and to ask attention to his long-continued and uniformly meritorious conduct in his present grade. I have witnessed his courage, zeal and ability, and have received most efficient cooperation from him, in the battles of Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Gaines's Mill, Frazier's Farm, Second Manassas and Fredericksburg. I earnestly recommend his promotion. Mr. Jett, an engineer attached to my division, rendered good service in the erection of field works making and repairing roads, digging rifle-pits and trenches, and such like work. The reports of the commanders of brigades are here — with submitted.

I am, very respectfully,

Your most obedient servant,

Major: My division occupied the front line of defence from Hazel River along the ridge of hills to the right and through the point of woods extending into Mr. Alfred Bernard's field, one brigade being in reserve. The brigades on the right had an extended rifle-pit at the foot of the main ridge from the left of the Telegraph road to a private road near Mr. Howison's barn. The next brigade had rifle-pits along the foot of the hills in front of its position, and others on the crests of the hills. The right brigade constructed rifle-pits and breastworks of logs, through the woods, with abatis in front of them. The crests of the hills were occupied by the batteries of Captain Read, one ten-pounder Parrott, one twelve-pounder howitzer, one three-inch rifle; Captain Manly's battery, one three-inch rifle, two twelve-pounder howitzers; Captain Ells, one thirty-pounder Parrott; Captain Macon, two ten-pounder Parrott's and two six-pounders ; Cooper's, three ten-pounder Parrott's; Carlton's, two ten-pounder Parrott's Eubank's, one three-inch rifle; McCarthy's, two three-inch rifles; Dearing, one ten-pounder Parrott; Ross, three ten-pounder Parrott's; and, in addition, there were a number of smooth-bore pieces placed along the hills, to be used should the enemy advance near enough for their effectual range. One brigade was constantly on duty in the city to guard the town and defend the river crossings