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

[293] until further orders, unless when the right of our line had advanced up the plank road to a point opposite me, I should see an opportunity to strike. I had thoroughly scouted the woods to my left, and from the information I had obtained, felt confident of capturing both the battery at Gregg's house, and much of the infantry thrown up between that and Downman's house. That hope, however, as well as all opportunity for me, in the position in which I was to strike a single blow to advantage, was destroyed by Brigadier-General Wright's brigade swinging across the line of battle and charging across the field in my front before our right could so engage the enemy on the plank road as to prevent the artillery and infantry from escaping by that road. Upon reporting my position to General Anderson, I was directed to remain there until morning.

On the morning of May fifth, by direction of General Anderson, I moved to the vicinity of the Morgan house, on the plank road; there I remained until about four o'clock P. M., when, with the other brigades of the division, I moved up the plank road and bivouacked for the night. Early in the morning of the sixth, by order of General Anderson, I detached two regiments, posted one on the Catharpin road and one at fork of plank road and the road leading to Spottsylvania Court-House, halting the other regiment where the furnace road crossed the plank road. About one o'clock I called in my regiments and returned to my old camp.

The conduct of both officers and men of my command, through the tiresome marches and continued watching, as well as while engaging the enemy, was such as to merit high praise. The firm and steadfast courage exhibited, especially by the Fifth and Second Florida regiments, in the charge at Chancellorsville, attracted my particular attention.

I am indebted to Captain McCaslan, A. A. A. general, Lieutenant Taylor, aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Scott, volunteer aid-de-camp, and Lieutenant Riley, acting inspector, for the great assistance they rendered me by their attention to their duties and gallant conduct.

My command was kept supplied with rations by the persevering energy of Major Elder, brigade commissary. Major Hinkle, brigade quartermaster, for his untiring efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded, who were collected at the station awaiting transportation to Richmond, has merited my particular thanks. I enclose the list of casualties.

I have the honor to be,

Very respectfully, &c.,

Major: I beg leave to report the operations of this brigade in the late battles of the Rappahannock.

It is proper to premise, that this brigade with that of General Posey, had been stationed near the United States Ford for the purpose of defending that crossing of the Rappahannock. On Wednesday, the twenty-ninth April, it was reported to me that the enemy had made his appearance in force at the Germana and Ely's Crossings of the Rapidan. This appearance of the enemy upon our flank and rear rendered our position at the United States Ford no longer tenable, and with a view to checking his advance upon the flank of our army, as was now clearly discerned to be his aim, the two brigades, General Posey's and mine, were immediately placed in position near Chancellorsville, so as to cover the roads from the Germana and Ely's Crossings of the Rapidan and that of the United States Ford, uniting at Chancellorsville. In the mean time our camps, stores, equipage, transportation, and sick were sent to the rear, and without any material loss of any of them. The brigades occupied their position at Chancellorsville, as indicated, until next morning, Thursday, the thirtieth instant, when, under the direction of the Major-General commanding the division, who had happily joined us during the night, they fell back on the United States mine road, this brigade at and covering the crossing by that road of the old turnpike. Before leaving our position at Chancellorsville, however,.the enemy's cavalry advanced on the Ely's Ford road, made its appearance, and after a precipitate advance upon our picket, capturing several, he subsequently came upon our rear guard, the Twelfth Virginia infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Field commanding, and was repulsed so effectually as to leave us free from any further annoyance during the change of position, to which I have already referred, and then in process of execution. Shortly after we had taken up our new line, at the intersection of the mine and turnpike roads, the enemy came down the turnpike in considerable force of cavalry and infantry, but nothing occurred at this point beyond a little skirmishing with his sharpshooters and reconnoitring parties. The next day, Friday, first May, this brigade led on the turnpike in the general advance of our forces, and very shortly engaged the enemy under General Sikes, when we had quite a brisk little engagement, artillery and infantry, Major-General McLaws commanding. The enemy, (United States regulars,) many of whom we captured, was promptly repulsed, and our line of battle, now formed, was moved rapidly forward to a point on the turnpike south of Chancellorsville, about one and a quarter miles, known as McGees. This brigade continued here with Major-General McLaws's forces confronting the enemy's line of battle in that quarter, until the next day, when it was transferred and occupied our front line immediately on the left of the plank road. In this position we continued, up to the fall of Chancellorsville, engaging the enemy more or less warmly as the progress of General Jackson's operations on his flank and rear seemed to call for, and as the range of his, General Jackson's, enfilading fire would allow. It was during this service of the brigade that the advance line of skirmishers of the