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

[309] to the left, upon and against the right flank of those of the enemy.

I beg to speak of the efficiency of Major Croft, Fourteenth South Carolina volunteers, Major Hunt, Thirteenth South Carolina volunteers, and Captains Butler and Haskell, of First regiment South Carolina volunteers, and Captain Duncan, Thirteenth regiment South Carolina volunteers, while respectively in command of skirmishers. To Captain T. P. Ashton, First regiment South Carolina volunteers, who acted as my Assistant Adjutant-General, I feel myself under great obligations for his untiring zeal and efficiency. He was ready at all hours to go to any position, either to the skirmishers in front or along the line; his calm, courageous bearing won my admiration and esteem, and to his intelligence and ready perception of his duties my labors, which would have been arduous in being placed suddenly in command of the brigade, were lightened by his aid.

After remaining at our intrenched position, we marched off on Wednesday, the sixth instant, and returned to this camp on Thursday, seventh instant.

It remains now but to speak of our losses. They were heavy, (lists of which have already been forwarded to division headquarters, Brigadier-General Pender,) and among them I regret to announce the death of Colonel James M. Perrin, Orr's rifle regiment, who was mortally wounded while gallantly fighting his regiment at the breastworks, on Sunday, third May. Colonel Perrin was one of the captains of my old regiment, (First South Carolina volunteers,) and on duty with me in South Carolina previous to my coming to Virginia, in 1861. Since then he has, at various times, been under my command. A more zealous or efficient officer could not have been found in this command. Noble, brave, and pious, he lived to win the admiration and esteem of his friends, and we will trust died to receive the reward of a life spent in the strict discharge of every duty.

I beg to enclose the reports of the Thirteenth, First, Fourteenth, and Orr's rifles, South Carolina volunteers. The Twelfth regiment, South Carolina volunteers, was not engaged in the battle, but was detailed as a guard to prisoners, and, on Monday, the fourth May, was sent off to Richmond, with upwards of two thousand prisoners, and did not return to the brigade until two days after our return to this camp.

I am, Captain, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

Captain: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this brigade during the late battles of the second and third of May, in the vicinity of Chancellorsville. Leaving Hamilton's Crossing at early dawn on the first, the brigade halted at seven o'clock P. M., on the plank road, about one mile east of Chancellorsville. The advanced troops of our corps had encountered the enemy near Salem Church, and with slight resistance they fled to their works. At ten o'clock on the following morning, leaving the turnpike to our right and moving upon the old furnace road, we turned the right flank of the enemy, and at five and a half o'clock P. M. reached the plank road again, about four miles west of Chancellorsville, and in their rear. Here we formed line of battle and commenced a rapid advance, this brigade occupying the second line. Our approach in that direction seemed to take by surprise and create a considerable panic among the enemy, who, notwithstanding they occupied superior natural positions, strengthened by works of magnitude, fled at our approach, night alone giving them quarter. We pursued them within three fourths of a mile of Chancellorsville. The rapid flight of the enemy, the eagerness of our pursuit, the tangled wilderness through which we had marched, and the darkness of the night, created much confusion in our ranks, which at this point was increased by a deadly fire poured into our ranks by friends and foes from our right, left, and front. Artillery, with their caissons, occupied the road abreast of us. and, without drivers, dashed headlong through our ranks. Under these circumstances our troops halted, and the chase ended for the night. During the night the enemy was not idle, but worked like beavers in erecting the most formidable barricades and breastworks, thus partially relieving themselves of the panic of the previous evening, and determining them to give battle. Early on the morning of the third, the brigade, by General Heth's order, was again deployed in line of battle, extending on either side of the road, the Fortieth and Forty-seventh Virginia regiments on the right, following General Lane's brigade; the Fifty-fifth and Twenty-second Virginia on the left, supporting General Pender. The advance of our leading line became irregular, and the turnpike, which separated the brigade, being much more elevated than the ground upon either side, the interval between the two portions became so considerable as not to be seen the one by the other. Being in close proximity to the enemy, our advance line in a few minutes became hotly engaged, and we were exposed to the most deadly fire I have ever experienced. Very soon the troops in advance were forced back through our lines, leaving us without support on either flank. The two regiments on the left of the road had by this time moved within one hundred yards of the enemy's intrenchments, and while fiercely engaging them, had their left turned and were compelled to retire. The two regiments on the right remained in their position, awaiting support to charge the enemy's works. Finding no one disposed to move, though many thousands had taken shelter behind the barricade, our line was formed, and being joined by about twelve hundred troops of different brigades, we led the second charge. Upon reaching the edge of the field, these troops, with a yell, increased their speed to a double quick,