Letter
General Reynolds to Captain, December 22, 1862
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FIRST ARMY CORPS,
December 22, 1862.
December 22, 1862.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that on Friday, December 12, at 1.30 p. m., I crossed, with my division, the two bridges over the Rappahannock, about 14 miles below Fredericksburg, preceded by the divisions of Generals Meade and Gibbon.
To expedite the crossing, the Fourth Brigade and division artillery passed by the lower, while the three remaining brigades crossed by the upper bridge. Upon reaching the other side of the river, we found the ground very much blocked. up by Smith’s corps, which had not yet taken position. I left Colonel Gavin, of the Seventh Indiana Volunteers, with the Second Brigade, as a guard at the bridges,
by order of General Reynolds, and then continued on wit. the other troops, our corps
gaining ground to the left (facing down the river) as Smith's corps advanced to the front. We halted for the remainder of the day and during the night a little to the left of Bernard's house, about three-fourths
of a mile from the crossing. Generals Meade and Gibbon were in front
of me in two deployed lines. My troops were held in reserve in their
rear, the brigades being in their numerical order from right to left, in
of a mile from the crossing. Generals Meade and Gibbon were in front
of me in two deployed lines. My troops were held in reserve in their
rear, the brigades being in their numerical order from right to left, in
columns of regiments, at intervals of 100 paces, our right supported by
Smith's corps, our left resting upon the river. My artillery at first had
been detached to answer the enemy's batteries, which had opened fire
from the crests of the hills parallel] to the river, but was soon relieved
Smith's corps, our left resting upon the river. My artillery at first had
been detached to answer the enemy's batteries, which had opened fire
from the crests of the hills parallel] to the river, but was soon relieved
Editor's Notes
From: Operations in N. Virginia, W. Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, 1862–63. Summary: General Reynolds reports the successful crossing of his division over the Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg on December 12, 1862, detailing troop movements and positioning during the operation.
Topics
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 21
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