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

[283] of the enemy from the left. At the same time having learned that the troops with General Lee had driven the enemy, and effected a junction with the right of our corps, I announced the fact to my brigade, and again advanced them to the front. They had gone but a short distance when the troops I had formed on the left became engaged with the advancing line of the enemy. I then communicated with Colonel S. B. Pickens, commanding Twelfth Alabama, whose gallantry on this occasion I cannot too highly commend, so completely and courageously did he lend himself to aid me in preparing the line to resist an attack, and ordered him to hold the enemy in check till I could procure reenforcements. The incessant stream of balls showed that the enemy were in force, and I found that the advance of my brigade was continually checked by the enemy on the left enfilading the line. Leaving the troops I had placed in position, I went out to the plank road for assistance, and observing troops in line on the right of the road, I sent Captain J. P. Halsey to them for aid. He communicated with General Colston, who promptly moved a portion of his command in the required direction. I saw General Stuart, and informed him of the situation, and he immediately forwarded the brigade of General Colquitt to support the left. Returning to watch the effect of the reenforcements, I received a contusion in the groin from a spent ball, which made walking very painful, and as the battle ceased shortly after, I requested Colonel Christie to take the command of the brigade till I could procure my horse. Upon joining the brigade in front, I received orders from General Rodes to move up the plank road, and take position, with my right resting on the brick house at Chancellorsville, where we fortified our position, by the use of bayonets and fingers, and remained subjected on several occasions to the shells and canister of the enemy, until Wednesday evening, May sixth, when ordered to return to camp.

On Wednesday morning, the enemy having retired, skirmishers were pressed forward to the river, capturing many prisoners. When a whole command behaved so well as mine did, I shall be obliged to confine myself, with one exception, to the commendation of officers commanding regiments, leaving it to them to name individuals distinguished for conduct. The exception is, Lieutenant Malone, of the Fifth North Carolina, upon whom I depended for correct information from the line of skirmishers. He was nearly always in front, and, on Wednesday morning, when informed of my wish to find out the position of the enemy, crept forward, alone, into their intrenchments, and brought me in news of the evacuation.

Colonel D. H. Christie, for the gallant manner in which he fought his regiment at the breastworks of the enemy, deserves promotion, and I here take occasion to recommend him for the same.

Colonel T. F. Toon, Twentieth North Carolina, was wounded while fighting his regiment gallantly in the front line.

Lieutenant-Colonel R. D. Johnston, of the Twenty-third North Carolina, to whom I had given command of the Twelfth North Carolina, cannot be too highly praised for the distinguished courage with which he commanded, under trying circumstances.

Lieutenant-Colonel Lee, up to the time of his wound, bore himself, and commanded his regiment with determined bravery.

My thanks are due Captain D. P. Halsey, A. A. G., for his promptness and readiness in carrying my orders to any part of the field, and the thanks of the country are due the whole command, officers and men, for their unexceptionable conduct.

Lists of casualties are enclosed with regimental reports.

I am, Sir, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant.

In obedience to general orders, No.----, dated May seventh, 1863, I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my brigade in the series of skirmishes and battles, opening at Massaponax Creek and ending in the splendid victory at Chancellorsville:

Wednesday, A. M., April 29th.--The brigade was placed below Massaponax Creek to dispute the enemy's crossing, and remained in that position, occasionally annoyed by their artillery, (by which I lost a few men,) and kept on the alert by picket firing till Thursday evening, when we were withdrawn to a point near Hamilton's Crossing.

Friday, May 1st.--At three o'clock A. M. we were aroused for the march, and led the advance of Major-General Rodes's division in the direction of Chancellorsville. At a distance of seven miles from Fredericksburg we were detached from our own division and ordered to report to Major-General Anderson, when we advanced upon the enemy, who fell back in confusion before our sharpshooters, for several miles strewing the way with their arms and baggage. This Brigade, with General Posey on our right and General Wright on our left, for upwards, perhaps, of two miles, being in advance. About six o'clock P. M. we found the foe in force upon our front, and supported by batteries that poured grape unsparingly into the woods through which we were still advancing. Night approaching, a halt was ordered, and we slept on our arms, with a strong picket line on the outposts.

Saturday, May 2d.--We were relieved about sunrise, and shortly thereafter marched, by a series of circuitous routes and with surpassing strategy, to a position in the rear of the enemy, whom, at about five o'clock P. M. we were ordered to attack. This brigade was directed to support Brigadier-General Colquitt, with orders to overlap his right by one regiment, and was placed accordingly.