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

The enemy were in position along the north slope of the ridge upon which Downman's house stands, with a strong line of sharpshooters occupying the crest of the ridge and the house, and fencing around Downman's yard with heavy batteries on the hills in their rear. At the appointed signal, just before sunset, I moved forward by the right flank around to the right of the hill on which I had formed, and passing up a ravine, came upon the border of the open field in rear of Downman's house, about four hundred yards from it, and here rapidly forming in line I charged across the fields, swept by the house, and reached the woods opposite, driving the enemy before me like chaff. Arriving at the skirt of the woods, I halted my command, (fearing if I proceeded farther in that direction I should encounter Wofford's brigade, who, I had been informed, would advance in that direction,) and sent a messenger to General Anderson informing him of my position, from whom I received instructions to wait in my then position for further orders. During this time the enemy kept up a murderous fire along my whole line, and with considerable effect. I remained in this position until dark, subjected to this murderous fire, without being able to respond to the enemy's guns. Between eight and nine o'clock I was ordered to move up to the plank road, and form on Posey's left, which I did, and soon after we moved down the road in the direction of Banks's Ford, Posey in advance. After proceeding two and a half or three miles, we were ordered to halt; and were then ordered by Major-General Anderson to bivouac for the night. My loss this day was considerable, amounting to six killed, and eighty-three wounded.

On Thursday, the fifth instant, about two o'clock P. M., I received orders to move my command immediately up the plank road to Chancellorsville. I commenced the march at once in one of the hardest rains I have ever seen, and which continued with less violence during the whole afternoon. At dark, we encamped about one and a half miles from Chancellorsville; and, early next morning, (Wednesday,) we marched to Chancellorsville, and from thence down the Ely's Ford road to a point just behind Brooks's house. Here we were halted until about noon, when I was ordered to retrace my steps, (the Yankees having retired beyond the river,) and take my men into their camp, in the rear of Fredericksburg. Thus ended the eight days of marching and fighting.

I cannot, in justice to the brave men composing this command, close my brief report without expressing my highest admiration for their splendid conduct during this eventful week. No man ever had better or braver soldiers. The Twenty-second Georgia, Lieutenant-Colonel Warden, and the Forty-eighth Georgia, Lieutenant-Colonel Carswell, on Friday, near the iron furnace, acted with distinguished coolness and courage, driving a vastly superior force of the Yankees for nearly a mile, and only relinquished further pursuit by receiving orders from me to halt. On the same day Company “H,” Captain Luckee, of the Third Georgia, and Company “B,” Captain Jones, of the Second Georgia battalion, performed efficient and valuable service as skirmishers, during the advance and firing on the plank road.

On Saturday the Third Georgia sustained its former reputation in engaging and actually repulsing two brigades of the enemy, on the left of the plank road, near Chancellorsville.

On Sunday, at Chancellorsville, and again on Monday afternoon, near Fredericksburg, the entire command evinced the most heroic fortitude and chivalric daring; charging, in both instances, and routing the Yankee infantry, under a deadly fire from the enemy's batteries. To Lieutenant-Colonel Warden, Lieutenant-Colonel Carswell, Major Ross, and Major Jones, and the skilful officers and brave men of their commands, is the country in no small degree indebted for the splendid results of the week.

This command and the country have to deplore the untimely loss of Captain Heath, of the Twenty-second Georgia, Captain Kendrick and First Lieutenant Spier, of the Forty-eighth Georgia, who were killed on Sunday near Chancellorsville.

To Captain Girardey, A. A. general, Lieutenant Hazlehurst and Captain Bell, aids-de-camp, I am greatly indebted for their valuable and efficient services during all the week's operations.

I am, Major, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

On the evening of the twenty-ninth of April, in compliance with orders from division headquarters, I moved my command to the heights in front of Falmouth, and throwing my pickets out to the river bank, remained in line of battle until about eleven o'clock on the morning of the first of May, when, in obedience to orders from Major-General Anderson, I moved with my command up the plank road, and into the old turnpike road. I advanced up this road until I came to our line of battle, held by Major-General McLaws on the right. I then received an order from Major-General McLaws to form my brigade on the right of Brigadier-General Wofford's brigade. This threw me some distance to the right of the old mine road. I at once formed my line of battle, and receiving information from Major-General McLaws that the enemy were advancing on the old mine road, I threw out skirmishers and so disposed my line as to enable me to command both the old mine road and the Dewson Mill road. Brigadier-General Wilcox soon coming up and forming his brigade on my right, I was relieved from giving further attention to the Dewson Mill road, and resumed my original line, my right regiment resting in the