Calvin E. Pratt to Theodore McGowan, December 18, 1862

Ste: I have the honor briefly to report the part acted by my brigade in the late battles near Fredericksburg.

On the morning of the 11th instant, we marched from camp, near White Oak Church, to the river, opposite the point where the lower bridges were in process of construction. At this place the brigade was deployed under cover of a slight elevation, and there remained until after dark, when the brigade was marched to the rear about one-half of a mile, and bivouacked for the night. , ;

At daylight on the morning of the 12th instant, we crossed the river and formed the front line of battle upon the plain, on the right bank of the river, and on the left of the First Division of this corps. About

* Embodied in revised statement, p. 141.

a. m. there was a general advance of the lines, and this brigade occupied a crest extending from a deep ravine to the left. We remained in this position until the morning of the 13th, when we took the second line, about 100 yards in rear of the first. In this position we remained until the morning of the 15th, when, relieved by a brigade from the Third Division, we marched back to the river, to a point opposite the bridges.

During the 12th and 13th, heavy skirmishing was continually going on in front of our line, and during almost the entire day of the 13th my command was under an incessant fire from the enemy’s batteries, which the troops withstood with heroic indifference.

I have heretofore sent forward a list of casualties, which shows the exact loss sustained by my command.

On the evening of the 15th, we received orders to recross the river, and I was required to report in person to headquarters left grand division, and was afterward ordered to direct the crossing of the troops at the lower bridges.

The officers and men of this brigade, without exception, displayed the utmost steadiness and the best of discipline during the whole affair. To my staff officers, Captain Keith, Lieutenants King and Totten, and acting aides, Lieutenants White and Furlong, I am under obligations for the gallant and efficient manner in which they performed their duties. They were all under fire, more or less, during the 12th, 13th, and 14th, an at the recrossing of the troops on the 15th. The services of Lieutenant King were invaluable.

The troops of my command are now in as good condition as on the day previous to crossing the Rappahannock.

I am, most

respectfully, your obedient servant,