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On the morning of the fourth the enemy were seen in our front, and fired occasional shots during the day from a battery some one thousand two hundred yards distant. Three additional brigades arrived on the fourth, and, late in the afternoon, a general advance was made against the enemy — Early on the right, Anderson in the centre, and McLaws holding his position on the left.
The enemy gave way rapidly, and was soon driven across the river, having been on this side little over twenty-four hours. I followed the enemy in the direction of Banks's Ford, with two regiments, Eighth and Ninth Alabama, of my brigade, supported by Kershaw's brigade; this advance being made about half past 9 P. M. Above and near Banks's Ford thirteen officers and one hundred and fifty men were taken prisoners.
Among the officers, one Lieutenant-Colonel, one Major, and two Captains.
No loss on our side in this affair.
Captains King and May, Ninth Alabama, were distinguished for their activity and gallantry, having captured these prisoners with their two companies.
Manly's battery rendered valuable services in shelling the retreating enemy near Banks's Ford; twenty of the enemy were wounded by this shelling and fell into our hands the next day, and many were killed.
The morning of the fifth instant the brigade moved in the direction of Chancellorsville, in common with the other brigades of the division, and bivouacked during the night to the left and near Chancellorsville.
Next morning moved out to take our position in line of battle, but soon ascertained that the enemy had retired and recrossed the Rappahannock; the brigade then returned to its former camp near Banks's Ford.
Whilst my entire command acquitted themselves handsomely in their engagement of the third instant with the enemy, I cannot close this report without calling to your especial notice the conduct of one entire regiment of the brigade, the Ninth Alabama.
This regiment, the weakest in numbers, occupied a position in rear of the strongest regiment of the brigade; this strong regiment, hotly pressed by the enemy in heavy force, was thrown into confusion and gave way, the Ninth Alabama sprang forward instantly into the vacant space left in our line, and boldly confronting the enemy, and by a close and deadly fire of musketry, broke his line and drove him back.
To my staff, Captain W. E. Winn, A. A. general, and Lieutenant M. M. Lindsay, aid-de-camp, I am under obligations for services cheerfully rendered during our recent operations.
Captain Winn was conspicuous for his gallantry at Salem Church in assisting to rally and re-form promptly one of my regiments that had been thrown into disorder and confusion, and while thus engaged his horse was shot.
To Major Goggin, A. A. general to General McLaws, I am also indebted for his gallant and valuable services rendered at the same time and on the same occasion.
I also beg to commend to your favorable notice my two couriers, private Ridgeway, of the Eleventh Alabama, and private Brundidge, of the Ninth Alabama: the former had his horse killed at Salem Church.
I am, Sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
C. W. Wilcox, Brigadier-General, commanding, &c.
Report of Brigadier-General Heth.
General: I have the honor to make the following report of operations of the several commands under my orders, at different times, in the interval between leaving the vicinity of Hamilton's Crossing on the morning of the first of May, until the termination of the operations at Chancellorsville on the third of May, 1863:
My brigade moved from Hamilton's Crossing on the morning of the first of May, on the plank road leading to Chancellorsville.
When within three miles of Chancellorsville I received an order from Major-General Hill to report in person to him. On doing so I was ordered to take the brigades of McGowan, Lane, and my own, and advance by a cross-road leading from the plank road to the old pike, a distance of one and a half miles; on reaching the old pike, to feel my way and advance in the direction of Chancellorsville.
When I reached the old pike I found General McLaws, with a portion of his command, some half a mile to the rear of where I struck the pike.
On advancing, my skirmishers became hotly engaged; and as it had become quite dark, a farther advance was not made that night.
Early in the morning I was ordered to open with a battery, under the immediate charge of Major Pegram, upon the enemy's position, and continue the firing for about half an hour.
Our fire was returned by the enemy.
Being informed by Major Pegram that his shot were doing the enemy no damage, I directed him to cease firing.
Soon after I received orders to move with my command, crossing the plank road, and following the rest of the division.
General Hill, soon after passing the old furnace, directed me to resume command of my brigade.
On reaching a position in rear of Chancellorsville, I was ordered to form line of battle on General Colston's left.
General Colston advanced his line before the formation was completed, and rendered a compliance with the order impossible.
I then received orders to form on General Pender's left.
This was done.
I also received orders to go to the support of any general officer requesting aid. After advancing in line of battle about one and a half miles on the left of and parallel to the plank road, I received a message from Brigadier-General J. H. Jones requesting support.
I put my brigade in motion and advanced, passing Melzie Chancellor's house, and entered the thick oak woods on the left of the plank road.
On entering these woods the enemy opened upon my command a heavy fire of artillery, doing us some damage.
It was now becoming quite dark.
The undergrowth was so thick and entangled that it was impossible to advance in any order.
I ordered
