Chancellorsville Battle Reports

Last updated June 19th, 2007 by Jenny

No. 349.--Report of Brig. Gen. E. L. Thomas,. C. S. Army, commanding brigade.

HEADQUARTERS THOMAS' BRIGADE, May 19, 1863.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that this brigade was ordered by Major-General Hill, on the morning of May 2, to leave its position near Chancellorsville on the right of the Plank road from Fredericksburg to Gordonsville, and move with the division; in accordance with which order we moved with the division a few miles, when a message was received that the enemy had attacked, and were threatening to capture, artillery and wagon train of the division near the foundry.

One regiment was at first sent, but the danger being reported to be most imminent, afterward the whole brigade, with General Archer's brigade, returned, and remained until the train had passed and the demonstrations of the enemy had ceased, when we moved on to overtake the division, which we did about 11 o'clock at night.

The brigade was placed in position by General Heth, commanding division, on the extreme left and front, on the left of the Plank road leading to Fredericksburg and near Chancellorsville, where we remained until daylight.

At an early hour on Sunday morning, the brigade was ordered to advance and attack the enemy. We advanced at once, driving a very heavy force of skirmishers before us. After proceeding about 250 yards, we found the enemy in strong force in our front, behind breastworks. The brigade charged with promptness and energy, and at the first charge drove the enemy, utterly routed, from their intrenched position. Advancing still farther, we found a second line of the enemy, which we at once drove from its position. This brigade and one regiment from the brigade on our right (General Pender's) continuing to advance, driving the enemy before us, met another line of the enemy. After a sharp conflict, this line was repulsed.

At this point, finding that there were no troops on my left and none in supporting distance on my right or rear, and the enemy were advancing in very heavy force on my left flank, and making demonstrations on my right, I ordered the brigade to move back, and took position near the line of the enemy's breastworks, where we remained until the whole line advanced. When the enemy had been driven back at every point, the brigade, according to orders, rejoined the rest of the division.

I take pleasure in reporting that Col. R. W. Folsom, Fourteenth Georgia; Lieut. Col. W. L. Grice, Forty-fifth Georgia; Maj. S. T. Player, Forty-ninth Georgia, and Capt. John Duke, Thirty-fifth Georgia, commanded their respective regiments with marked success. All the officers and men of my command who were present acted with the utmost coolness and the most daring courage before the enemy.

I have to regret the loss of several valuable officers. Captain [Robert P.] Harman, Fourteenth Georgia, and Captain [W. H.] Shaw, Forty-fifth Georgia, were killed, and Lieutenant-Colonel [James M.] Fielder, Captain [T. T.] Mounger, and Lieutenant [H. A.] Solomon fell, mortally wounded, within a few yards of the enemy's-breastworks, gallantly leading their men to the charge.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

EDW'D L. THOMAS,

Brigadier-General.

Capt. R. H. FINNEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Regimental Reports

No. 350.--Report of Col. Robert W. Folsom, Fourteenth Georgia Infantry.

CAMP NEAR HAMILTON'S CROSSING, VA.,

May 9, 1863.

CAPTAIN: Herewith I have the honor to submit you a report of the part taken by the Fourteenth Regiment Georgia Volunteers in the action near Chancellorsville, May 3.

On Saturday, the 2d instant, the regiment, in company with other regiments composing the brigade, left the swamp just to the right of the turnpike, distant about 8 miles from Fredericksburg, and took up the line of march in the direction of Orange Court, House. After marching several miles in that direction, the Fourteenth was detailed to march back to the assistance of the artillery train, which was in danger of being cut off near the iron furnace. I accordingly moved back toward the furnace at a rapid pace, and, on arriving, took position about 200 yards to the left of the road, for the purpose of forestalling any attempt of the enemy to flank the train by another road which opened upon the Furnace road some 2 miles above. Remained in position about one hour, when I was ordered by Brigadier-General Thomas to bring up the rear and protect the artillery train, which was accordingly done, until, on reaching the Plank road again, about 3 miles northwest of Chancellorsville, I left the train and marched toward the latter place, joined the brigade on the road 1½ miles from Chancellorsville, and marched down the Plank road three-fourths of a mile; then turned off to the left, and formed line of battle in the woods. Remained in this position the balance of the night.

The next morning, at 7 o'clock, was ordered to advance in the direction of the enemy. After driving in their pickets, I encountered the enemy intrenched behind a breastwork of logs directly in my front. Was ordered by General Thomas to charge them, which was accordingly done, and the works successfully carried. The regiment continued to move on, and pursued the foe something like half a mile from the breastwork. Was then ordered back, in consequence of occupying an isolated position. The enemy still being in heavy force on our right, and no supports being visible, fell back to within 150 yards of the breastwork. Remained here in position, carrying on a desultory fight, in which the enemy were vanquished and forced to retire, until about 12 m., when we were relieved and marched back to the rear.

The officers and men of my command behaved with great gallantry and coolness, and where all did so well it would be invidious to particularize.

A list of casualties has already been forwarded.(*)

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. W. FOLSOM,

Colonel Fourteenth Georgia Volunteers.

Capt. WILLIAM NORWOOD,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Thomas' Brigade.

No. 351.--Report of Lieut. Col. W. L. Grice, Forty-fifth Georgia Infantry.

MAY 10, 1863.

SIR: The following is submitted as a report of the operations of this command at the late battle of Chancellorsville:

The regiment, being at no time detached, has no separate history. It left camp on Wednesday, the [29th] ultimo, and for several subsequent days the men were either on the march or in the immediate front of the enemy, with whom an engagement was constantly expected.

On Saturday, we made a forced march to the scene of battle near Chancellorsville, arriving there at quite a late hour of the night. The march had caused many sick and feeble men to drop out on the way; the number of these is estimated at 25. Hence, we went into the engagement on Sunday with about 350, aggregate.

The behavior of the officers and men through eight days of fatigue, privation, and danger was heroic, and deserves the highest commendation. They endured hardships without murmuring, and met the foe with resolution. Where all acted well it is difficult to discriminate between individuals. It is, however, but just to say that several witnesses declare Private James M. Lawrence, of Company E, to have been the first man to pass the line of the enemy's intrenchments. Of this, however, I cannot speak for myself.

Respectfully submitted.

W. L. GRICE,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Regiment.

Brig. Gen. E. L. THOMAS.

No. 352.--Report of Maj. S. T. Player, Fort-ninth Georgia Infantry.

MAY 10, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this regiment in the battle of Chancellorsville:

The regiment left camp on April 29, with 363 men and 35 officers, taking and retaining the position assigned to it in the order until Saturday evening, May 2, when the number had been reduced from sickness and fatigue to 247 men and 33 officers. At that time the Fourteenth Georgia Regiment, having moved forward, left this regiment on the extreme left of the brigade, which position it occupied during the memorable engagement of Sunday morning. In charging the enemy's breastworks in our front, the regiment was for a short time exposed to an enfilading fire on its left, when I ordered it to march and fire by the left-oblique, which had the desired effect of stopping the enemy's fire from that direction. It was at this time that several of the casualties in this regiment occurred. I then again ordered the regiment to resume its forward march, closing up again to the Thirty-fifth Georgia Regiment, until ordered to halt.

The conduct of the officers and men during the whole time was all that a commander could desire. The officers were in their proper places, and the men executed the orders with commendable zeal. Where all have done so well it would be unnecessary for me to mention any names in particular.

From the list of casualties already furnished you will find: Killed, 4; wounded, 30; wounded or missing, 2; missing, 2. Total, 38.(*)

Respectfully,

S. T. PLAYER,

Major, Commanding Regiment.

Capt. WILLIAM NORWOOD,

Assistant Adjutant-General.