No. 306. -- Reports of Brig. Gen. Winfield S. Featherston, C. S Army, commanding Sixth Brigade, of- the battles of Gaines' Mill and Frazier's Farm (Nelson's Farm, or Glendale).
RICHMOND, VA., July 12, 1862.
SIR: In obedience to orders I beg leave to submit the following report of the part taken by the Sixth Brigade, of Major-General Longstreet's division, in the late battles of the Chickahominy:
About 10 o'clock on the night of June 26 I crossed the Chickahominy with my brigade near Mechanicsville. We were marching at the head of General Longstreet's division, and passed through the town of Mechanicsville, halting not far on the other side.
Here we remained until about 2 o'clock on the morning of the 27th, when I was ordered with my brigade to relieve General Ripley and his command as soon as practicable. I immediately marched to General Ripley's position, which was about three-fourths of a mile to the right of the road we traveled to Mechanicsville, and about the same distance from the town and near Beaver Dam Creek, some distance above its connection with the Chickahominy. The position of the enemy and the nature of the ground were unknown to me, for a knowledge of which I was dependent upon a short interview with General Ripley, who had occupied the position the evening before and that night until relieved by me. My brigade was placed in the position vacated by General Ripley's command, which was a ridge of woodland some 600 yards in length, with an average breadth of some 1,000 yards, and entirely surrounded by an open field.
My brigade got into position about 3 o'clock in the morning in the edge of the woodland fronting Beaver Dam Creek. Beaver Dam Creek was not more than from 100 to 200 yards in front of the portion of my command in line of battle, and from my position to the bank of the creek was a gradual declivity. After crossing the creek immediately in my front the ground rose by a gradual ascent to a continuous ridge, the summit of which commanded the position occupied by me as well as the open ground surrounding my position. Upon this summit the enemy had planted his artillery and thrown up breastworks, dug rifle pits, &c., extending down in the direction of the creek. General Pryor, with his brigade, was ordered to take position in my rear, to support me in case of an attack. He took position in the field not far in my rear very soon after I did. The brigades of Generals Ripley and Pender and Colonel Colquitt, which had previously occupied the ground, were withdrawn so soon as my brigade and General Pryor's got into position.
Between daylight and sunrise on the morning of the 27th the enemy opened a very brisk fire of musketry on my brigade from the right to the left. We were anticipating the attack. Three companies of skirmishers had been thrown out to the front of my lines, and the entire brigade had been ordered to rest in line with guns in hand. The brigade advanced in line of battle a few steps only in the direction of the creek, and were halted in the edge of the woods near the open field and returned the enemy's fire. Here they remained in position about one hour, during which time the firing was rapid on both sides and continuous. The enemy appeared to be in greatly superior numbers, judging from the firing, and obstinate and determined to drive us back, if possible. As soon as the sun arose and I saw the nature of the ground in front and the position of the enemy beyond the creek, I directed Captain Smith's battery (Third Richmond Howitzers), attached to my brigade to be placed in position 200 yards from the left wing of my brigade, and return the fire of the enemy's artillery, which was then playing on us sharply. This was the most elevated and practicable position on the field for artillery. I then ordered my men to charge the enemy's lines. This order was promptly executed from right to left, the men moving forward in an unbroken line and with great rapidity, driving the enemy before them until they reached Beaver Dam Creek. This creek could be crossed at only a few places, a fact unknown to me, but known to the enemy. Finding it impossible to cross the creek in line on account of its precipitous banks, the command was ordered to halt at the creek, where it was to some extent protected by the bank of the creek and its skirting. The impossibility of passing the creek in line for the reason stated, and the consequent necessity of reforming under the enemy's fire from his breastworks and rifle pits, now in easy range, would have involved a loss so heavy that I was induced to halt the men in this partially protected position. From my position on the creek a very heavy fire on both sides was kept up for an hour or an hour and a half, when the enemy retired from his works and retreated rapidly in the direction of Gaines' farm, or Cold Harbor, down the Chickahominy. After my brigade had reached the bank of Beaver Dam Creek I directed General Pryor to bring his brigade into action, who informed me that his brigade had been sent forward, and that he had sent to General Longstreet for re-enforcements. On returning to my lines I found one of his regiments on the hill, and directed [it] into line on my right to prevent a flank movement. General Pryor's battery (the Donaldsonville (La.)Artillery) was also placed in position near Smith's, of my brigade, when the two played very handsomely on the enemy's lines, keeping up a constant and well-directed fire. Both companies behaved with great gallantry and coolness, and displayed a skill in the use of their guns highly creditable to that arm of the service. After a protracted and heavy firing on the bank of the creek some hour or hour and a half the enemy abandoned their works and retreated, as I have already stated. Here the firing of small-arms ceased.
About this time General Wilcox's brigade came up as a re-enforcement. The battery of Wilcox's brigade (Thomas Artillery)was also placed in position and fired a few well-directed shots at the retreating foe.
General Wilcox sent one of his regiments down Beaver Dam Creek, on our right, to find a place across which the brigades might pass. Some distance below they found an old bridge which had been torn up by the enemy, but was rebuilt in an hour or two, and the three brigades crossed Beaver Dam Creek and continued the march in pursuit of the enemy in the following order, viz, General Wilcox in front (who after his arrival was senior brigadier), General Pryor next, and my brigade in the rear.
I cannot close this report without expressing my admiration of the conduct of my entire brigade from the beginning to the close of the action. While holding their position on the hill, which was never for a moment yielded, they were subjected to a very heavy and galling fire. The charge was made in excellent order and a good line was preserved, and continuing the fight from the bank of the creek under a very heavy fire of small-arms, they were equally cool and eager to advance upon the enemy. Captain Smith and his company (Third Richmond Howitzers) could not have acted-better.
I regret to say that our loss in killed and wounded was comparatively heavy. A list of casualties is herewith appended. Maj. W. H. Lilly, who was in command of the Twelfth Mississippi Regiment, was wounded while gallantly and coolly discharging his duties at the head of the regiment, and, retiring from the field, left the command to the senior captain (Thomas).
Major [John] Mullins, commanding the Nineteenth Mississippi Regiment, displayed coolness, courage, and skill in the command of his regiment. The Mississippi Battalion, commanded by Lieut. Col. John G. Taylor, could not have had a more gallant and skillful officer to direct its movements.
I am also much indebted to my volunteer aides, Captain Parker, Lieutenant Sykes, and Lieutenant Redding, for their valuable services on that occasion. They were always ready to execute with coolness and dispatch any orders delivered to them.
I regret very much that my assistant adjutant-general, Capt. George P. Foote, who had been by my side all the time on the field, was killed in this engagement. He fell while gallantly leading one of the regiments in the charge far in advance of the main line. In his fall the army has lost a gallant and skillful officer; society has lost one of its most perfect members, and the Southern Confederacy one of its most promising young man.
For a list of those who particularly distinguished themselves in the fight, as well as the casualties, I refer you to the lists furnished by regimental commanders, herewith attached.
SIR: About 11 o'clock on June 27, after crossing Beaver Dam Creek, my brigade moved forward with General Longstreet's division in the direction of Gaines' farm, or Cold Harbor. The division was halted near Hogan's farm. Soon after the division was halted General Pryor was ordered forward with his brigade to Gaines' house to drive back some skirmishers and a body of the enemy supposed to be in a skirt of wood near the house. General Wilcox and myself were ordered forward with our brigades to support him, the balance of the division remaining in a line at the Hogan farm. General Pryor advanced, General Wilcox's and my brigade close in his rear. After a sharp skirmish the enemy was handsomely driven from the skirt of woods by General Pryor's brigade. The three brigades were subjected to a very heavy artillery fire from the enemy's batteries, planted on the other side of the Chickahominy. They were therefore thrown back into the woods in rear of Gaines' house, after the skirmishers had been driven out from the skirt of woods in front, to await further orders.
Here they remained until almost 4 o'clock in the evening, when they were ordered to advance and unite in a joint attack upon the enemy, who were posted on our side of the Chickahominy, southeast from Gaines' house. These three brigades Wilcox's, Pryor's, and my own constituted the extreme right of our attacking column, and were separated some distance from the balance of our attacking forces. General Wilcox was the senior brigadier present, and directed well the movement. The three brigades were thrown in line of battle near a ravine, where they were partially protected in front from the fire of the enemy. After they were formed in line of battle they were ordered to move rapidly over the field in front, some 600 or 800 yards in width, to the edge of the woods, where the enemy was posted. During this advance they were exposed to a raking fire from the enemy's artillery in front, as well as from his long range rifles. The advance was rapidly made with unbroken lines, displaying an order and discipline that would have been creditable to the oldest veterans. A more dangerous charge could not be made by troops than the one made by these three brigades on this occasion. The woods were reached with considerable loss in oar ranks. A murderous fire was opened upon the enemy by our men and they were driven back. Our men encountered, on entering the woods, ditches and ravines, and in pursuing the enemy through the woods had to ascend a steep hill, but their course was onward and steady. The enemy, fighting with great desperation, were driven gradually back from one position to another; first from the edge of the wood back behind their works on the top of the hill, then their works were stormed and taken. Hard pressed, they were compelled to abandon their artillery, four pieces of which were passed over by my brigade and a number of prisoners taken by them, and finally to flee in wild confusion. Our troops held the ground and occupied their encampments that night.
The struggle was a desperate one from the time our troops were ordered to advance until the close of the fight, about three hours; they were opposed by superior numbers, and exposed to the heaviest kind of artillery and infantry fire. While these three brigades were attacking the enemy from the direction of Gaines' house our column was moving simultaneously on our left.
Our loss was heavy in this engagement, but it is believed that the enemy suffered much more severely, notwithstanding he fought under the cover of his works, with every advantage in the ground, and with the additional advantage of a position for his artillery which commanded the entire field occupied by our troops. I directed Captain Smith's battery to be planted on a hill not far from Gaines' farm, the most commanding position that could be found in the open field in which we were marching. From this position he fired several rounds at the enemy immediately in front and some distance to the right in the woods.
I regretted to lose in this engagement Major Mullins, in command of the Nineteenth Mississippi Regiment, who was severely, though not mortally, wounded.
A list of the casualties in the different regiments is herewith transmitted; also a list of those who were particularly distinguished in the action.
To the members of my staff who were present -Captain Parker and Lieutenant Redding (Lieutenant Sykes having been sent to Richmond by me) I am indebted for the promptness and coolness with which all orders were executed.
To the commissary department, under charge of Major Partridge, and the medical department, under the charge of Dr. Craft, and the quartermaster's department, under charge of Major Barksdale, we were greatly indebted for the industry and attention displayed by them in supplying our wants in their respective departments.
SIR: On Monday morning, June 30,General Longstreet/s division engaged the enemy to the left of the Darbytown road, some 15 miles from this place and not far from the James River. This was about 4 o'clock in the evening. The engagement soon became general from his right to his left. My brigade was held in reserve at the beginning of the fight, but about 5 o'clock in the evening was ordered to attack the enemy on the left of General Longstreet's division. As I passed up to the peace designated I found the contest was becoming very hot on the left, and I thought the enemy advancing. On reaching General Pryor's brigade, which was then on the extreme left of General Longstreet's division, I was requested by General Pryor to bring my brigade to the support of his. I immediately saw the necessity of doing so, threw my men into line of battle, and marched them in. On looking to our extreme left I saw that an attempt would be made by the enemy to flank us, probably with a very heavy force, and immediately sent back one of my aides (Lieutenant Sykes)to General Longstreet, requesting him to hurry up the re-enforcements. General Longstreet had informed me on our march to the field of action that re-enforcements would be sent forward.
My brigade was advanced to the front lines to or near a fence at the edge of the field. Here they opened a steady fire on the enemy's lines, and the enemy pouring a well-directed fire into our ranks, and seemed not to be giving way, but inclined to advance. My first determination after giving them a few fires was to order a charge, but believing the force in front to be vastly superior to ours, and seeing that a flank movement was contemplated by the enemy, I declined to do so, for the reason that it might have resulted in having my small command surrounded and cut off before the re-enforcements sent for could come up to our support. At this time I received a painful wound in the shoulder and was compelled to retire from the field. When I left the field General Gregg's brigade had reached it and was but a short distance in rear of mine, forming in line.
For what occurred subsequently I refer you to reports of regimental commanders, herewith transmitted.(*)
For the casualties(+) and list of those who distinguished themselves in this engagement I also refer you to lists appended hereto.
I regret to learn that in this engagement Lieut. Col. John G. Taylor, of the Second Mississippi Battalion, fell mortally wounded and died in a few hours. The loss of so gallant, skillful, and experienced an officer at such a time cannot but be seriously felt to the cause. Resigning his office in the old Army at an early period in this revolution, and quitting his native State (Kentucky) and coming here to unite his fortune with ours, the people of the Confederacy should cherish his memory and mourn his loss.
On this occasion as on the former I am greatly indebted to my staff for their valuable services. Captain Parker and Lieutenant Redding were at the right place at the right time in the execution of orders. Maj. W. R. Barksdale was also present and rendered valuable services, assisting me to bring the men into line of battle and getting them into position. Knowing the scarcity of field officers, I sent him to the left of the brigade, to remain there and aid in controlling the movements of that wing. He displayed great coolness, courage, and sagacity. Captain Winn, of General Wilcox's staff, tendered his services to me as we were going on the field as a volunteer aide, to whom I felt much indebted for his assistance and gallant bearing.
AUGUST 16-SEPTEMBER 2, 1862.--Campaign in Northern Virginia.
No.147.--Report of Brig. Gen. Winfield S. Featherston, C. S. Army, commanding brigade, of the battle of Manassas.
RICHMOND, VA., September 25, 1862.
SIR: I submit the following report, showing the action of my brigade at the battle of Manassas Plains, fought on August 30 last:
At an early hour on the morning of the 30th my brigade was posted near a fence about half a mile west of the main road running to the village of Groveton, uniting with General Jackson's command on my left at the railroad embankment. General Pryor's brigade was placed on the right of mine and General Wilcox's a short distance in the rear to support the other two. The other brigades of General Longstreet's divis-4on continued our line of battle to the right and extending a consider able distance beyond the turnpike running through Groveton. Immediately in our front and extending a considerable distance to our right was an old field from a half to a mile wide. The troops remained in position here from an early hour in the morning until about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. While in this position my brigade was subjected to a very heavy fire from the enemy's artillery, which was placed in the woods on the opposite side of the field lying in our front. Two of our batteries, placed on a hill about the center of my brigade and just in the rear, returned the enemy's fire during the most of the time. The enemy were observed during the forenoon passing down the turnpike from the direction of the stone house and filing to the right and left of our lines.
About 3 p.m. one brigade was seen emerging from the woods on the opposite side of the field, advancing in the direction of General Jackson's right and my left. The advance was steady and unchecked under a very heavy fire of the batteries supported by my brigade, as well as from others placed on the right and left of the turnpike road. This brigade of the enemy was followed by two others (under the same heavy fire of our batteries), which advanced to within 40 or 50 yards of our lines. Here they came to a halt and returned the fire of our infantry for about thirty minutes, when they commenced the retreat across the field in great confusion. The fire of our artillery upon the retreating foe was rapid and destructive. As soon as the retreat commenced our troops were ordered to advance. One of General Jackson's brigades advanced on our left, and my brigade, General Pryor's, and General Wilcox's moved forward in line of battle on its right. We reached the works in front and passed through the skirt of woods over 600 yards wide, when we came to another old field some half a mile or three-quarters in width. Here we found on the opposite side of the field the enemy drawn up in line of battle, with several pieces of artillery turned upon our troops, and directing a rapid, heavy, and destructive fire both upon the right and left of our lines.
At this time General Wilcox--who had, as senior brigadier, been directing the movements of his brigade, General Pryor's, and mine--was ordered by General Longstreet to move rapidly with his brigade to the right to the support of General Hood. This left me the senior brigadier on the left of our lines. Very soon after General Wilcox left with his brigade Major [Thomas] Walton, of General Longstreet's staff, announced to me that Colonel Thomas, commanding a brigade of General Jackson's division, had been sent to re-enforce me, and that other troops were coming up for the same purpose. Generals Pender and Archer very soon arrived with their brigades, and I immediately directed my brigade to be moved to the left, so as to extend beyond the enemy's right, and Generals Pender and Archer to form on the right of my brigade. This was promptly done. Colonel Thomas' brigade was held in reserve with one regiment of General Pryor's. As soon as our line was formed an advance was ordered. The whole line moved forward in rapid and gallant style. The enemy fled after the first well-directed fire through the woods in the direction of the stone house. All the pieces of their artillery were left upon the field and captured. These brigades continued the march in pursuit of the enemy. Passing through a skirt of woods, they reached another field some three-quarters of a mile wide, on the farther side of which the enemy were discovered again in line of battle, with one or two pieces of artillery placed upon a commanding eminence, which were turned upon our troops as soon as they made their appearance. These brigades were again put in line of battle in the edge of the woods, and Colonel Thomas was directed to move with his brigade to the left of our line to prevent a flank movement by the enemy and their re-enforcements from coming up a road running on our left and extending in front to the turnpike near the stone house. These dispositions having been made, our lines advanced. The enemy fled precipitately, doing us no injury, except with their artillery, scarcely returning the fire of our infantry. Having driven them from their position, any farther movement was prevented by the darkness of the night. It was now fully dark, and our troops bivouacked upon the ground until morning.
The enemy's artillery was served with great skill and effect upon our troops during the entire engagement, to which our greatest loss on the left must be attributed.
Our troops whose conduct came under my observation behaved with great coolness and courage during the whole engagement, which lasted about four hours.
The Dixie Battery, under command of Captain Chapman, attached to my brigade, was placed to the left of the turnpike, near the village of Groveton, where it performed good service during the day.
When General Wilcox left the field and the command of the troops on the left devolved upon me I placed the command of my immediate brigade under Colonel Posey, who was the senior colonel present.
To the members of my staff who were with me on the field--Captain [W.R.] Barksdale, Lieutenant [A. N.] Parker, and Capt. C. N. Featherston--I feel indebted for their efficiency and promptness in executing my orders.
The list of casualties in my brigade is herewith transmitted,(*) as well as lists of those who particularly distinguished themselves during the engagement.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
W. S. FEATHERSTON,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Maj. G. MOXLEY SORREL,
A. A. G., Longstreet's Division.
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXI [S# 31]
DECEMBER 11-15, 1862.--Battle of Fredericksburg, Va.
No. 294.--Report of Brig. Gen. W. S. Featherston, C. S. Army, commanding Featherston's brigade.
HEADQUARTERS FEATHERSTON'S BRIGADE,
December 22, 1862.
MAJOR: In obedience to orders, I submit the following report of the part taken by my brigade in the battle before Fredericksburg:
About 5 a.m. on Thursday, the 11th instant, at the firing of the signal guns, my brigade was formed, and marched rapidly from its encampment to the line of battle previously designated for Major-General Anderson's division, in front and to the left of Fredericksburg.
My brigade formed the right of Anderson's division, and was posted on Thursday morning between the Plank road and Hazel Run, in front of the town, and some distance in rear of the Washington Artillery. Here we remained during that day and night, protected from the artillery fire of the enemy by a continuous range of hills in our front.
On Friday morning, my brigade was moved to the left of the Plank road, and our first position, between the Plank road and Hazel Run, occupied by General Ransom's division. During Friday and Friday night we remained in position on the left of the Plank road, about the same distance in rear of our batteries, where we were protected by the same continuous range of hills from the enemy's artillery fire.
About 10 a.m. on Saturday, we were ordered to advance in line of battle farther to the front, and halted about 100 yards in rear of our batteries, on the left of the Plank road, extending our line of battle up the river in the direction of the Taylor house. Here we remained during the day, subjected to a very heavy converging fire from the enemy's artillery immediately in our front and extending up the river to our left. My men were kept lying down during the day in an old road, protecting them as much as possible. The enemy's batteries immediately in front were numerous and skillfully served. Their batteries on our left completely enfiladed our position, which they did not fail to see, and of which they took every advantage to avail themselves.
The fire of the enemy's artillery could not have been more rapid or galling on any part of the line than that which was brought to bear on our position on Saturday. The right of my brigade was also within range of the fire of the enemy's small.arms. My orders were to hold this position in support of the batteries immediately in my front, and to advance to the batteries when the enemy advanced, with small-arms, immediately in my front. There was no considerable advance of the enemy's small arms in our immediate front during the entire engagement. We remained in this position Saturday night, Sunday, and Sunday night, Monday, and Monday night.
At a late hour on Sunday night I was advised by General Ransom that one of his brigades would be withdrawn and sent across Hazel Run down the river, by order of Lieutenant-General Longstreet. I then threw forward, to the rock fence on the right of the Plank road, the Sixteenth Mississippi Regiment and five companies of the Forty-sixth [Forty eighth] Mississippi Regiment (formerly the Second Battalion), to fill the place vacated by some of the troops withdrawn and to form a continuous line of battle. These troops, to wit, the Sixteenth Mississippi and five companies of the Forty-sixth [Forty-eighth] Mississippi, Sunday night, Monday, and Monday night remained in that position, declining on Monday night to be relieved by other regiments of my brigade.
On Tuesday morning, after the fact was ascertained that the enemy had recrossed the river, the troops were withdrawn, except the Twelfth Mississippi Regiment, which was left on picket in front.
During the engagement of Saturday the casualties in my brigade were 42 killed and wounded, and 1 on Monday. Among the number I regret to enumerate the loss of two valuable officers (Maj. L. C. Lee, of the Forty-sixth [Forty-eighth], and Captain [G. H.] Fulkerson, of the Sixteenth Regiment), both seriously, but, it is believed, not dangerously, wounded.
The small list of casualties under so heavy a converging fire from the enemy's numerous batteries can only be accounted for under Providence by the fact that the men were kept lying down closely on the ground, taking advantage of every hill and crest as a protection. A full return of the killed and wounded has already been transmitted to your headquarters.(*)
During the engagement of five days and nights, both officers and men manifested great patience and endurance under the hardships and privations, and were eager to the last for a continuance of the fight.
The officers of the medical, commissary, and quartermaster's departments were prompt and efficient in discharging the duties of their several departments.
In the absence of my regular staff officers (Capt. W. R. Barksdale, assistant adjutant-general, and Lieut. A. N. Parker, aide-de-camp, both absent on sick leave), I feel greatly indebted to my volunteer aides, Capt. C. N. Featherston and Mr. C. W. Graves, who attended me during the entire engagement, and who were ever ready, prompt, and efficient in the execution of all orders upon every part of the field.
I have the honor to be, major, your obedient servant,
W. S. FEATHERSTON,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Maj. THOMAS S. MILLS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXV/1 [S# 39]
APRIL 27-MAY 6, 1863.--The Chancellorsville Campaign.
No. 329.--Report of Brig. Gen. Carnot Posey. C. S. Army, commanding brigade.
NEAR FREDERICSBURG, VA., May 12, 1863.
MAJOR: I have the honor of submitting a report of the part my brigade took in the recent engagement about Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg.
On, the evening of the 29th ultimo, being then in camp with Brigadier-General Mahone near the United States Ford, we were advised by our scouts and the cavalry pickets, who were posted at Ely's Ford and Germanna Bridge, that the enemy had crossed in heavy force at those points, and were advancing on the Ely and Plank roads toward Chancellorsville. Upon consultation, we concluded to leave five companies of my brigade (Nineteenth Mississippi Regiment) and one regiment of General Mahone's brigade to watch and defend the United States Ford, while we moved our brigades to Chancellorsville. On reaching that place, we posted my brigade on the right and left of the Plank road at Chancellorsville, and General Mahone's brigade in Ballard's and Nixley's fields, half a mile from Chancellorsville, on the Ely road.
We remained in this position until about 7 o'clock the next morning, the 30th, when we were directed by the major-general commanding, who reached Chancellorsville about 12 a.m., to move our commands back to a position where the Mine road crosses the old Pike and Plank road. We remained in this position until the next morning about 9 o'clock, May 1, when I was ordered to advance my brigade up the Plank road. After moving about 2 miles, I formed a line of battle in Aldrich's field, between the Plank road and old Pike, and sent out the Twelfth [Mississippi] Regiment as skirmishers, moving the other three regiments forward as fast as the skirmishers advanced. The advanced line of skirmishers soon encountered the enemy, when I advanced another line, and we drove the enemy's skirmishers back in gallant style until we encountered the enemy in heavy force, drawn up in line of battle on the Furnace road. This line was soon broken by the vigorous onset of my skirmishers.
At this time, Lieutenant-Colonel [M. B.] Harris, commanding the Twelfth [Mississippi], was severely wounded while gallantly leading on his command, and was taken off the field. I continued my advance across the Furnace road, through a dense wood thickly set with undergrowth, driving back the enemy's skirmishers through the woods, until I reached a marsh and became much exposed to a rapid shelling from the enemy's artillery, when I halted my command, and remained here until about 11 p.m., when I received an order from the major-general commanding to advance as far as I could. I then pushed my skirmishers forward, and with much difficulty crossed the marsh in front, and advanced within a short distance of the enemy's lines of works, the enemy on my right being on my flank and somewhat in the rear of my right. I remained in this position until about 7 o'clock the next morning, when I was relieved by Brigadier-General Thomas, and then moved with my brigade to the field in rear of the Furnace road, where my command was allowed to rest for a short time.
Saturday, May 2, about 10 a.m., my command moved down the Furnace road, and formed a line of battle with three regiments (the Forty-eighth [Mississippi] being left behind as skirmishers, and were not relieved until late at night) on each side of the road, about 500 yards from the furnace. Here my skirmishers were hotly engaged with the enemy during the whole day and part of the night, the enemy being in heavy force in my front, and made frequent efforts to advance, without success. On every occasion my line of skirmishers drove them back in confusion.
On the morning of the 3d, the enemy having disappeared from my front, I advanced my command by the furnace, capturing many prisoners and arms, until I reached a point in a field in rear of our batteries on the extreme right of the enemy's lines. Here I formed my command in column of regiments, and after a short time was ordered to advance by flank to the right and attack the enemy, who were in strong force on a hill in front. I deployed first the Nineteenth [Mississippi], then the Twelfth, Forty-eighth, and Sixteenth [Mississippi], directing the commanders to move by the left flank (which would bring them in line of battle fronting the enemy), as soon as they attained sufficient room in the woods, and push forward their skirmishers vigorously against the enemy's. The movement was made in fine order, under heavy fire of shell and grape as each regiment attained its position. The commanders pushed forward gallantly and irresistibly through a dense wood and over a wide abatis and into the trenches of the enemy, driving him off with much slaughter and capturing many prisoners.
Too much credit cannot be given to the officers and men for this gallant and daring and irresistible charge, sweeping the enemy for more than half a mile of their strong works, overcoming without hesitation both natural and artificial obstacles.
It would not be proper in this limited report to mention the many instances of individual daring which came under my observation and which have been reported to me, and where all the officers and men behaved so nobly it would be invidious to individualize. Commanders of regiments acted with consummate skill and valor. Colonel [S. E.] Baker, of the Sixteenth, attacked the enemy's works on their extreme right; Colonel [Jos. M.] Jayne, of the Forty-eighth (who was wounded in the charge); next Major [S. B.] Thomas, of the Twelfth, and Colonel [N. H.] Harris [of the Nineteenth] on the right of the brigade. These commanders simultaneously charged the enemy's works, and I am much indebted to them for the brilliant success of my command. My command, after storming the works, being somewhat scattered on account of the dense woods and vigorous pursuit, I moved it back a short distance and reformed in an open field on the right, and in a very short time was ready to move forward.
On the afternoon of this day, my command was moved on the old pike, the left resting near Chancellor's house and my right extended on the pike. I here sent out ten companies of skirmishers, who penetrated to Ballard's and Nixley's fields, where the enemy were in force and throwing up works of defense. In the afternoon my brigade, with Generals Wright's and Perry's, was moved near the United States Ford, where I sent out the Nineteenth and Twelfth [Mississippi] Regiments, and drove in the enemy's skirmishers.
The next day (Monday, the 4th), my command was moved, with Generals Wright and Perry, toward Fredericksburg, and in the afternoon formed a line of battle near Hazel Run, fronting Dolmer's [Downman's?] house. At the signal to advance, led by the major-general commanding, my command moved across to the Plank road, opposite Guest's house, under heavy fire, and at dark formed a line of battle and remained until about 12 o'clock, when I was ordered to move to a point up the Plank road near Banks' Ford. During this time my skirmishers were actively engaged, and brought in many prisoners.
I remained near Banks' Ford during the balance of the night, and the next evening (the 5th). in a severe storm of wind and rain, advanced to within 2 miles of Chancellorsville, and bivouacked for the night.
Early the next day (6th), I was moved to Ballard's field, and that evening returned to my old camp near Fredericksburg. My command was on foot from April 29 to May 7, inclusive, and bore the privations, fatigue, labor, and fighting without a murmur.
My staff officers--Stanhope Posey, assistant adjutant-general, and J. B. Posey, aide-de-camp--rendered good services. My aide-de-camp being very sick had to leave the field Saturday morning, and my assistant adjutant-general being wounded on Saturday was disabled from doing active duty, but remained in the field while the fighting lasted.
In the meantime one of my couriers (Mr. Asberry Hancock) acted both as courier and aide-de-camp, and did most valuable service, displaying acts of daring and heroism worthy of mention, and for his conduct in the field in front of the enemy deserves the highest consideration, and should be promoted. My courier (Well) also deserves mention.
I must here mention that Lieutenant-Colonel [Thomas B.] Manlove, of the Forty-eighth [Mississippi], volunteered and gallantly led a line of skirmishers on Friday morning with good effect.
It affords me pleasure to notice the gallant conduct of T. L. Duke, chaplain of the Nineteenth [Mississippi] Regiment, who remained in front of his regiment with his musket during the series of engagements, and mainly directed the movements of the skirmishers of that regiment.
I herewith send a list of casualties,(*) and also the reports of commanders of regiments, giving more particular details, which are interesting.
