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Fredericksburg Battle Report: Report for Hill's Division

No. 310.--Report of Col. J. M. Brockenbrough, Fortieth Virginia Infantry, commanding First (Field's) Brigade.

HEADQUARTERS FIELD'S BRIGADE,
December 21, 1862.

MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the action of this brigade in the late battle near Fredericksburg.

Stationed upon the extreme right of our division, we remained in this position until the concentrated forces of the enemy passed through a gap in and reached the rear of our lines. There being no enemy in our immediate front, and re-enforcements being called for, I withdrew my command from its first position and hurried as rapidly as possible to the point indicated.

We moved up by the left flank, and so urgent and repeated were the calls for re-enforcements that my two leading regiments, viz, Forty-seventh Virginia, Colonel [R. M.] Mayo, and the Twenty-second Battalion, [Lieutenant-] Colonel [E. P.] Tayloe, the only regiments actively engaged, advanced in a run, separated themselves from the brigade, passed well to the left, and encountered the enemy in rear of our front lines about midway between Generals Archer and Lane. Firing one volley into their left flank and charging them with a yell, they fled precipitately to the shelter of the railroad cut. Here they rallied and made a short stand, but being joined by a Georgia brigade (Lawton's, I believe), we made a second charge, which drove them from the railroad. Here the men were ordered to halt, but such was their impetuosity that much the larger portion of these two regiments advanced to the position which had been occupied by two of the enemy's batteries, which they found deserted. Being unsupported, they were, of course, compelled to retreat, which was done, under the most galling fire of grape, canister, and minie balls. The fact that only two regiments were actively engaged was accidental and unavoidable. The woods through which we passed being dense and filled with troops, the rapid run of the leading regiments soon separated them from the brigade, and while they passed well around to the left, the remainder of the brigade only marched by direct line to General Archer's left, who was said to have been flanked.

Driving the enemy from the woods was a task of short duration, and the troops engaged were completely successful in driving back the enemy before the remaining regiments (a few minutes behind them) could come to their assistance. During the fight several of the enemy's mounted officers were shot down, and the colors of one regiment were seen to fall four times.

It affords me much pleasure to mention the good conduct of Colonels Mayo and Tayloe and the officers and men under their command. The valor and daring of the men was unprecedented. Many of them were fighting in sight of their homes, and seemed determined' to drive back the enemy at all hazards.

Our loss was considerable, being about 20 per cent. of the troops actively engaged.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. M. BROCKENBROUGH,

Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

[Maj. R. C. MORGAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.]