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

[265] A strong line of skirmishers was advanced, and were constantly engaged with those of the enemy. General Kershaw's brigade was held in reserve. I received orders from General Lee to hold my position, as General Jackson would operate to the left and rear. Not long after, I was directed to replace General Posey's brigade, on my left, by one from my command, and General Kershaw moved to that position, on the left of General Semmes. Following this order, I was directed to send the brigades of Generals Mahone and Perry to the left, and close in my command so as to connect with General Anderson's right — holding my right at the turnpike, but constantly pressing to the left, so as to be in communication with General Anderson, to do which, as the country was broken and densely wooded, and the directions constantly changing, I ordered the two brigades on the left, Kershaw's and Semmes's, to advance by battalion from the left, so as to form a broken line, but still covering the front and forming the connection. The batteries opened whenever the masses of the enemy on the hills in my front offered an opportunity, and with marked results. My orders were to hold my position, not to engage seriously, but to press strongly so soon as it was discovered that General Jackson had attacked. It was not until late in the evening that it was known General Jackson had commenced his assault, when I ordered an advance along the whole line to engage with the skirmishers, which were largely reenforced, and to threaten, but not attack seriously, in doing which General Wofford became so seriously engaged that I directed him to withdraw, which was done in good order, his men in good spirits, after driving the enemy to their intrenchments.

As General Jackson advanced, the enemy moved in front of two batteries on my line, which opened on them with excellent effect. This continued until darkness prevented any further efforts in my front.

Generals Kershaw and Semmes had been pressing to the left and front, and engaging the enemy with their skirmishers, which had left an open space, so far as the main body was concerned, between my right and centre, of considerable distance, but the skirmishers of General Semmes, composed of the entire Tenth Georgia regiment, were perfectly reliable, and kept the enemy to their intrenchments, so there was nothing to be apprehended from an advance in this direction.

May 3.--Nothing occurred during the night save the magnificent display caused by the night attack of General Jackson. My skirmishers, well to the front, and strong in number, engaged the enemy as day advanced. The batteries were run forward, and played upon the masses of the enemy, in good range, producing much confusion; finally, the repeated attacks of the forces on my left forced the enemy to give way from Chancellorsville, and our troops could be seen advancing across the plain. General Wofford threw a portion of his command across the valley between him and the Chancellorsville heights, and thus prevented the escape of a considerable body of the enemy which had been opposed to this brigade, and to his left and front, during the morning. I directed a flag of truce to be sent them, and they surrendered. I think General Wofford entitled to the most credit for their capture, although the Tenth Georgia, General Semmes, and General Wright, of Anderson's division, claimed their share equally. Kershaw and Semmes, bearing to the left to cooperate with General Anderson, to unite with the two wings of the army, had now swept around to the plains of Chancellorsville, and directed them to march down the plank road and unite with General Wofford's left. As this was in the act of accomplishment information was received that the enemy had carried the heights about Fredericksburg, and were advancing up the plank road. General Lee here rode up and ordered that the brigades of Generals Mahone and Kershaw should march at once towards Fredericksburg, with Moody's battery, to meet the enemy; and after these brigades were on the march, and had advanced some distance, he directed me to proceed in the same direction with the remainder of my division, which was done so soon as the brigades could be formed. On reaching the rifle-pits, just beyond the junction of the turnpike and mine roads, I found General Mahone's brigade along the rifle-pits, General Kershaw halted along the road, General Wilcox's brigade was marching to the front. I ordered them all forward; but as I was here informed that the enemy were in considerable force going down the telegraph road, and as I thought that it was perhaps their intention to march forward by the plank and mine roads, which came together just beyond the junction of the plank and turnpike roads, now in my rear, I halted General Wofford, with directions to watch the mine road on his right. I then rode on, and found General Wilcox with his brigade in line across the plank road at Salem Church, General Kershaw forming on his right and General Mahone on the left. I directed General Mahone still more to his left, as he was acquainted with the country, and placed General Semmes to the immediate left of General Wilcox. General Wofford was ordered forward, and placed on the right of General Kershaw. The batteries which I had brought with me had been engaged all the morning, and had but little ammunition left. They had been ordered back in such haste that there was no time for them to replenish their chests; but they engaged the enemy until their supplies were nearly exhausted, and then withdrew, and were posted in the rear to command the ground on the flanks and front. The batteries of the enemy were admirably served, and played over the whole ground. Before my command was well in position the enemy advanced, driving in our skirmishers, and coming forward with loud shouts, endeavored to force the centre, (Wilcox's,) and the left centre, (General Semmes's,) extending the attack somewhat to Mahone's brigade. One of Wilcox's regiments gave way, and, with the skirmishers running, had created a little confusion; but General Wilcox himself soon corrected this, and re-forming his men, charged the