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

[123] of Fredericksburg, from the eleventh to the fifteenth, inclusive. Except when posted in the road, at the foot of Marye's Hill, on the fourteenth and fifteenth, my brigade was not under fire from small arms. It was only exposed to the fire of the enemy's artillery, from which it suffered but little.

I am, Major, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

Captain: In pursuance of the order from the division commander to report the participation of my brigade in the battle near Fredericksburg, I have the honor to state that my brigade, consisting of the Second, Fourth, Fifth, Twenty-seventh, and Thirty-third Virginia regiments, and Carpenter's battery, numbering in all about one hundred and twenty-three officers and eleven hundred men, marched from its encampment near Guineas Depot, on Friday morning, the twelfth instant, at daybreak. After reaching the battle-field, and frequent changes of positions, when the engagement commenced, my brigade occupied a position near the crest of the hill, some four hundred yards in the rear of General Gregg's brigade, of A. P. Hill's division, my right resting on the left of Ewell's division. My orders were to support General Gregg, and be governed in my action by his movements. Upon a report from my orderly, Mr. F. C. Cox, whom I had sent forward to give me information, that Gregg's brigade was moving, I ordered my brigade to the front in line of battle. About the time of reaching General Gregg's position, the Second Virginia regiment, occupying the right of my line, came in view of the enemy, and, under the order of Captain J. Q. A. Nadenbousch, commanding the regiment, filed obliquely to the right and rear, but scarcely effected its change of position when it was fired upon by the enemy. Expecting, from the indications, that my troops would be engaged in this position, I proceeded to bring forward the Fifth and Fourth regiments at double-quick, and post them upon the right of the second regiment, and to put the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-third regiments in position upon its left. These dispositions, however, were not accomplished until the firing ceased, the enemy having been gallantly repulsed by the Second regiment. Soon after I changed my position, and occupied the military road. Whilst there, I found that troops were falling back in disorder past the right of my line, when I deemed it prudent to move some three hundred yards to the right, upon the road, to guard against an advance of the enemy in that direction. Again I changed position, and occupied the line of the fence in front. That night my brigade slept on their arms on the military road, and the next morning before daylight, in pursuance of an order from the division commander, took a position on the railroad, my right resting opposite the position which my left had occupied on the military road. Here the day passed off quietly, with the exception of occasional firing between the pickets. Carpenter's battery was detached from my brigade on the twelfth, and was not under my orders during the engagement. A report of its participation in the engagement by Lieutenant McKendree, commanding, is transmitted herewith.

I am much indebted to my regimental officers, Captains Nadenbousch and Colston, acting field officers of the Second Virginia regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel Gardiner and Major Terry, Fourth Virginia regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel Williams and Captain Newton, Fifth Virginia regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel Edmondson and Major Shriver, Forty-seventh Virginia regiment, and Colonel Lee, Thirty-third Virginia regiment, for the exhibition of great gallantry, skill, and coolness in the discharge of their duties. Lieutenant-Colonel Gardiner, after having passed unhurt, and distinguished for his gallantry, through all the battles of the campaign, (Port Republic, Richmond, Cedar Mountain, Manassas, and Sharpsburg,) fell, at the head of his regiment, severely, if not fatally, wounded. To Adjutant C. S. Arnall, Fifth Virginia regiment, acting as my assistant adjutant-general, the highest praise is due for his gallant and energetic discharge of the duties incident to the position. To the rank and file of my command I am especially grateful, for the courage, fidelity, and promptness exhibited in obeying my orders. My brigade sustained a loss of four killed, sixty-nine wounded, one missing; total, seventy-four. The reports of regimental and battery commanders, with lists of casualties, are transmitted herewith.

Respectfully,

Major: I respectfully report that on Saturday, thirteenth of this month, I received orders from General Early to form my brigade immediately behind General Hays's brigade, with my right resting upon the Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad, at Hamilton's Crossing, about four miles from Fredericksburg. I remained in this position for about two hours, under a very heavy cannonading, and lost a number of men in this place. The infantry firing at the front became quite heavy, and General Early ordered me to move my brigade by the left flank, and let my right rest upon the left of General Hays. I had scarcely gotten in this position before he ordered me to the front to the support of General Archer. I moved promptly and steadily to the front, and