E. P. Halstead to Captain, December 18, 1862

CAPTAIN:

I herewith transmit a report of the operations of this brigade in the engagements of the 13th, 14th, and 15th instant, near Fredericksburg, Va.

With the other brigades of the First Division, Brigadier-General Doubleday commanding, this command crossed the Rappahannock River Friday, December 12, at 12 m., on the upper of the two lower pontoon bridges, the Fourth Brigade and division artillery crossing on the lower bridge. The column united on the south side. — This brigade, having the advance, moved forward, taking position near Bernard’s house, to the front and right, in four lines of battle, and bivouacked for the night.

On Saturday, the 13th, I moved forward, at 9 a. m., in a direction parallel with the Bowling Green rvad, about 1 mile, encountering the enemy’s fire, when, in compliance with instructions from General Doubleday, I ordered two regiments to the front as skirmishers—the Second U. 8. Sharpshooters, Major Stoughton, and the Twenty-fourth New York Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Beardsley. I was then ordered to advance with my remaining regiments to the Bowling Green road, and was taking position when I received orders to change dixection and move at the double-quick to the left, in support of our batteries, which were being placed in position under General Reynolds’ personal supervision. A short artillery fire succeeded, when I advanced in three lines of battle (the skirmishers covering our front) parallel with the Bowling Green road, and some 25 or 30 rods on its left. The enemy fell back before our advance. I think the entire division was advancing at this time. My brigade occupied the right of the division, and was nearest the Bowling Green road.

The line moved forward about three-quarters of a mile, when our bat. teries again took position on the Bowling Green road, on our right flank, and engaged the enemy’s batteries on the summit, which were enfilading our lines. During the artillery fire, which was extremely severe, this brigade changed front forward on the right of its lines and took position to support the batteries.

About 3 p. m. General Doubleday, having received intelligence that a brigade of the enemy was advancing on our left, ordered me to change front to the leftand engage them. Meredith’s brigade being on the left, however, and in a more available position, was ordered to engage the enemy, and my brigade was moved to the right and rear of the batteries, parallel with the Bowling Green road, prepared to resist any advance of the enemy from the summit. I ordered three companies of the Fourteenth New York State Militia into the road on our left, to check the enemy’s skirmishers in their advance.

My lines remained in this position until 5 p. m., when I moved them to the left and rear, supporting the batteries and forming them obliquely to the Bowling Green road. :

At 4.30 p.m. the enemy’s batteries opened a terrific fire upon our lines, which continued until 5.30 p.m. Our batteries promptly replied. At 6.45 they reopened upon us at short range with canister, wounding a number of my men. The regiments, however, retained their position during the night. ;

Sunday, the 14th, the usual picket firing occurred. Our batteries occasionally opened during themorning, butelicited no reply from the enemy.

About 3 p. m. one of the enemy’s batteries opened upon our left at long range, perfectly enfilading us. I then moved the brigade to the rear, changing front to the rear on the right of each line, taking position out of range of this battery, and escaping injury from it. My lines remained in this position during the night of Sunday. The Second U. 8. Sharpshooters were engaged as skirmishers during the day, also two companies of the Thirtieth New York Volunteers, and succeeded in protecting the artillery and infantry from the severe fire of the enemy’s skirmishers of the day before.

On Monday, the 15th, no change of importance occurred in my position, except the ordering of the Twenty-second New York Volunteers to the left and front in easier supporting distance of Battery B, Fourth U.S. Artillery, Lieutenant Stewart, and moving two companies on to the Bowling Green road as pickets. I also ordered the Second U. S. Sharpshooters to the front as skirmishers, and they engaged the enemy’s pickets during the day.

About 8 p. m. I received orders from General Doubleday to hold the brigade in readiness to fall back and recross the river with the other brigades of the division.

At 9.45 I received orders to put my column in motion, and recrossed the river without loss, bivouacking for the night on the ground occupied by the brigade on the night of Thursday, the 11th, a mile from the river.

The conduct of the officers and men of all the regiments comprising this command deserve special mention and particular praise. There was no wavering of the lines, advancing or in position; no signs of cowardice, and no disposition evinced to neglect their duties. Under the most severe artillery fire and the fire of the pickets (my lines often being within easy range of the latter) my brigade remained firm and unbroken, speaking well for the discipline and soldierly qualities of the respective regiments. Lieutenant Cranford, acting assistant adjutant-general, and Lieutenant Becker, acting aide-de-camp, comported themselves, as usual, most gallantly on the field, and rendered me invaluable assistance in the transmission and fulfillment of my orders. I cannot speak too highly of them or of the commanding officers of the Second U. S. Sharpshooters, Major Stoughton; Lieutenant-Colonel De Bevoise, Fourteenth New York State Militia; Lieutenant-Colonel Beardsley and Major Oliver, Twenty-fourth New York Volunteers ; Lieutenant-Colonel McKie, Twenty-second New York Volunteers, and Lieutenant-Colonel Chrysler, Thirtieth New York Volunteers. The commanding officers of the Fourteenth New York State Militia and Thirtieth New York Volunteers are entitled to great credit for the discipline of their regiments, in view of the fact that at least 50 per cent. of their commands were new recruits, for the first time under fire.

The loss in this brigade during the engagements of the 13th, 14th, and 15th instant was as follows: Killed,3; wounded, 22; missing 2; total, 27.*

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,