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

[104]

As usual, Brigadier-General Law was conspicuous upon the field, acting with great gallantry, and had his horse killed under him whilst personally directing the movements of his brigade.

It is with much pleasure that I call your attention to the gallant bearing of both the officers and men of the Fifty-seventh North Carolina regiment, Colonel A. C. Godwin commanding, in their charge on a superior force of the enemy, posted in the strong position he had gained. Equal praise is due the Fifty-fourth North Carolina regiment, Colonel J. C. McDowell commanding, for their able support of the Fifty-seventh, and especially for their display of discipline in changing front under fire, to cover the left flank of the Fifty-seventh from the fire of a force of the enemy occupying Deep Run, below the railroad, to which they became exposed in consequence of their pursuit of the force they had dislodged. Indeed, I cannot in justice omit to mention the bearing and morale of my entire command during the time the enemy was in our front, as evidenced by their earnest desire to be led to battle and their presence at all times, as, to the best of my knowledge, not a single officer or man left ranks without proper authority.

The members of my staff were, as usual, at their posts, and zealous in the discharge of every duty devolving upon them. Below will be found a summary of the casualties of my command.

For further particulars, attention is called to accompanying reports of brigade commanders.

I am, Major, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

Captain: I have the honor to report the operations of my command around Fredericksburg. On the third December my division was sent to Port Royal, to prevent the crossing of the Yankees at or near that point. Four Yankee gunboats were then lying opposite the town. Rifle-pits were constructed above the town on the night of the fourth, to prevent the pirates from ascending; and Hardaway's Whitworth gun was placed on Jack's Hill, some three miles below the town, and his remaining two guns, with Carter's Parrott's, were placed on the hill due west of the town. Hardaway opened upon the gunboats about three o'clock, on the fifth instant. Finding the fire too hot for them, they fled back to town, where they were sheltered from Carter's fire. Hardaway continued to pelt them; and, to stop his fire, (as is supposed,) the ruffians commenced shelling the town, full of women and children. The town was partially destroyed, but a merciful God kindly protected the inoffensive inhabitants. A dog was killed and a negro wounded; no other living being was injured. Finding that Hardaway's fire did not slacken, the pirates fled down the river. But now a worse fate awaited them than a distant cannonade. The gallant Major Pelham, of General Stuart's horse artillery, had a section of artillery immediately on the bank of the river, and gave them a parting salute. He was greeted with grape and canister, and had one man killed. There were no casualties at my batteries. From Yankee sources, we learned that the pirates lost six killed and twenty wounded. Whether they over-estimated or under-estimated their loss, I do not know. They sometimes lie on one side, and sometimes on another. In a few days, the pirates returned as high as Port Tobago, with five more of their thievish consorts. Eleven rifle guns of Colonel Browne's reserve artillery and all my division batteries were brought down to the river, under cover of a dense fog, and, when it lifted, were opened upon them. The firing was bad, except from the Whitworth, and it soon drove them under cover of a thick growth of woods, where they lay concealed. We have learned, from the same respectable Yankee source, that three of the pirates were struck, one three times, and that a captain was killed and four or five other thieves knocked on the head. We had no casualties. Just before sundown, on the twelfth instant, I received an order to march that night to Fredericksburg, as the Yankees were expected to attack General Lee the next day. A portion of my command was twenty-two miles from that city, and the most of them from eighteen to twenty. We began our march immediately, and proceeded until we were stopped by encountering General Early's column, some three miles from Hamilton's Crossing. We waited until daylight, and then followed General Early. His