Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 9.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[309] went in front, and attempted to get the brigade to advance still nearer the enemy.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

sir: In compliance with instructions received, I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of my regiment on Sunday and Monday, the eighth and ninth instant.

About nine A. M., on Sunday last, the camp was suddenly startled by general reports of artillery in the direction of Port Republic. I immediately gave orders to pack the wagons and get under arms, anticipating an order to that effect in a few moments from headquarters, in which I was not mistaken. The regiment was soon under arms, and in a few moments was put in motion, marching in the direction of Port Republic, my regiment in rear of the brigade. As we moved on, the cannonading became quite warm, and on a nearer approach, I found two or perhaps portions of three, batteries actively engaged, firing from a commanding position on the west side of the river upon the enemy's infantry, several regiments of which were in a flat bottom on the east bank of the river.

Halting for a moment near a battery on the left of the road, I went forward for instructions, and, meeting Captain O'Brien, was ordered to follow the Fourth regiment, then marching to the left. We marched on for perhaps a mile or more, taking various positions and changing them every few moments, until entering a body of woods, the Fourth formed in line of battle; throwing skirmishers in front and left flank, it moved on down the McGaheysville road. I followed with my regiment in line and about a hundred paces in rear. The Fourth regiment halted, after proceeding about a quarter of a mile, and remained in that position during the remainder of the day, my regiment about a hundred paces in rear. Here we were all day, no enemy making its appearance in that quarter. At dark, we were withdrawn from our position and ordered to camp on the opposite side of the river. My regiment had crossed the river, when I was ordered back to near the same position for picket-duty, and marched back accordingly.

Some time after sunrise, on the morning of the ninth, I was directed by Lieutenant Garnett to draw in my pickets and join my brigade at once. On inquiring where the brigade was, he replied that he was not sure whether it was on the Brown's Gap road, or whether it would go down the river.

I had scarcely collected my regiment and started for the bridge, when our artillery opened upon the enemy's camp. I pushed on, but, before I got to the bridge, I found the way blocked by wagons, ambulances, artillery, and infantry. It was with great difficulty and considerable loss of time that I at last got my regiment across the main bridge, and encountered almost every obstacle in crossing the temporary one across the smaller stream. I was without any definite knowledge of the whereabouts of the brigade, but took it for granted it was somewhere on the battle-field, and I moved on in the direction of regiments which had crossed before me. Marching along the road, I was considerably annoyed by the enemy's shells, which were bursting in and over the road almost constantly. I got under shelter of a small skirt of woods, near the road, and pushed on under this cover for some distance, when I came up to an ambulance which, the driver told me, belonged to the Second Virginia infantry, and from him I learned that the Second regiment had gone up the same road upon which I was then moving. I continued to march in that direction, expecting to meet with General Winder or some of his aids. At all events, I was getting nearer the scene of conflict, where I expected to be of some service. I had gone, as I supposed, half a mile further, when I met several members of the Fourth Virginia, who told me the regiments were falling back, and their regiment was ordered back to support Carpenter's battery. I was now in the woods; there was sharp firing in front of me; I was totally ignorant of our position or that of the enemy, and scarcely knew what to do. I accordingly halted the regiment, and rode forward to ascertain, if possible, something of the condition of affairs. I had proceeded but a short distance when I met Elzey's brigade coming back, and was told, upon inquiry, that they could get no position and were coming back to a better one. I could get no information from the First brigade. In this dilemma I concluded to fall in with Elzey's brigade, and sent Major Holliday to report to Colonel Walker, until I could hear positively and know what to do. Before reporting to Colonel Walker, the Major accidentally met with Lieutenant Garnett, and soon after with General Winder and General Jackson. Orders now came in abundance. I do not remember which came first, but one from General Jackson, in person, “to push to the front at a double-quick,” followed by others from other sources, but all tending to urge to the front. I pushed on as fast as I could, passing several regiments, and was in turn passed by others. The enemy were already falling back. The firing was, however, still quite warm, but receded quite rapidly, and I never got up in time to participate in the firing. My regiment followed in the pursuit for five or six miles, until the infantry was halted and ordered back, when I came back, following in the rear of the brigade. Being but little exposed to danger during the two days that the army was engaged with the enemy, my regiment has sustained no loss at their hands. My