A. T, A. Torbert to Read, December 16, 1862

December 16, 1862.

Srr: I have the honor to report the following as the part taken by this brigade in the battle of Fredericksburg, Va.:

The brigade, consisting of the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifteenth, and Twenty-third Regiments New Jersey Volunteers, arrived on the north bank of the Rappahannock on the 11th instant, and encamped for the night.

At daylight on the 12th, the brigade started to cross the river. Ou reaching the southbank it was formed in two lines, in rear of the division ; first line, Fifteenth and Twenty-third Regiments, deployed ; second line, _ First, Second, Third, and Fourth Regiments, in line of masses 100 yards in rear.

About 1 o’clock the brigade advanced across a beautiful plain to support the second line of the division, during which time the enemy shelled them, but without effect. They were then put in a deep ravine to shelter them from the enemy’s fire, where they lay on their arms all night, one or two being wounded by shells while there.

On the morning of the 13th, I relieved the pickets of the division by the Fifteenth Regiment, and supported them by the balance of the brigade.

About 3 p. m. General Brooks, commanding division, ordered me to advance one regiment, supported by another, and drive the enemy from and hold their position, posted in a railroad cut and behind the embankment, just where the railroad crossed a deep ravine, and on the extreme left of my picket line. At the same time two regiments of the Third Brigade were placed under my orders. I immediately ordered Colonel Hatch, with the Fourth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers (about 300 rifles), to advance and take the position above referred to, at the same time directing the left of my picket line, with its reserve, under Major Brown, Fifteenth Regiment, to advance with them. These troops advanced in a handsome manner under a severe fire, and then charged the enemy’s position, led by their gallant leader, Colonel Hatch, driving them from it with great loss, capturing about 25 prisoners of a Georgia and North Carolina regiment. The enemy being in a stronger force than was supposed, I at once ordered the Twenty-third Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, under Colonel Ryerson, and the two regiments of the Third Brigade, to advance and support the Fourth and Fifteenth. Six companies of the Twenty-third were soon engaged. At this time I received orders to halt the balance of my supports and fall back from the railroad, and hold it with pickets only, if possible, for fear that a general engagement might be broughton. The enemy seeing my small force at the railroad, and that retiring, charged with a whole brigade to the railroad. My men fell back and the pickets held their original line.

On the morning of the 14th, my pickets and brigade wee relieved by the Second Brigade, when they were placed in the ravine before referred to, to shelter them from the enemy’s fire.

On the morning of the 15th, the First Regiment New Jersey Volunteers was placed on picket, covering the right of the division.

About 11 o’clock at night on the 15th, I received orders that the whole army was’ recrossing the river, and that my brigade and that of Brigadier-General Devens wceuld cover the crossing, and be the last to pass over. Arriving at the river, I was ordered to send the Fourth, Fifteenth, and Twenty-third Regiments across the river, covering the right with the Second and Third Regiments in two lines, deployed. In good time the First Regiment (which had been on picket) and all of the pickets of the left grand division arrived and crossed the river, when the troops which had covered the crossing passed over.

In this affair I regret to mention the loss of 1 offi_er and 16 erflisted men killed; 5 officers and 90 enlisted men wounded, and 50 enlisted men missing in action.* Many of the missing were wounded and taken prisoners. The brigade has lost one of its best and gallant officers in was wounded in the right leg, having to have it amputated near the thigh. Captain Slater, Company G, Fifteenth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, unfortunately lost a leg also.

I am pleased to speak in the highest terms of the conduct of the Twenty-third Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, being a nine-months’ regiment, and the first time they were under fire. Their colonel (Ryerson), formerly of the Second Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, who was badly wounded at Gaines’ Mill, was to be seen in the thickest of the fight (monnted), cheering on his men. Major Grubb, of the Twenty- +»— * But see revised statement, p. 140.

third, lately promoted from my staff, deserves great credit for the manner in which he fought a part of his regiment.

Major Brown, of the Fifteenth, in command of the pickets (who was also wounded), behaved with great coolness and bravery. I am much indebted to my staff, First Lieut. William E. Sturgis, Second Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, acting assistant adjutant-general; First Lieut, J. T. Whitehead, quartermaster Second Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, acting aide-de-camp, and Second Lieut. H. H. Goldsmith, Twentythird Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, acting aide-de-camp, for their bravery and coolness in transmitting my orders with promptness and precision to different parts of the field and in the thickest of the fight.

Accompanying please find a list of the killed, wounded, and missing.”

very respectfully, &c.,