J. W. Hofmann to Losiutter, December 18, 1862

December 18, 1862.

Captain: I have the honor of submitting the following report of the part taken by my command in the battles near Fredericksburg:

The Second Brigade, consisting of the Seventy-sixth New York Volunteers, Col. W. P. Wainwright commanding; the Ninety-fifth New York, Colonel Biddle; the Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania, Lieut. Col. J. William Hofmann, and the Seventh Indiana, Lieut. Col. John F. Cheek, took up the line of march from the heights near Falmouth at daylight on the morning of December 12.

About 2 o’clock the Seventh Indiana and the Seventy-sixth New York crossed the river (Rappahannock), about 14 miles below Falmouth, on the pontoon bridge, the other regiments remaining on this side of the river. At this time I was ordered to guard, with the brigade, the pontoon bridges, stationing two regiments on each side of the river.

About 3 o’clock in the afternoon the enemy commenced a brisk cannonade, throwing shot and shell, several of which struck near the bridges, fortunately doing no serious damage. The brigade was relieved during the night of the 12th, and the morning of the 13th ordered to join the division at daylight. In compliance with this order, the Ninetyfifth New York and the Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania crossed the river and joined the other regiments of the brigade. My command then proceeded down the river, and joined the division near the stone house early on the morning of the 13th. The whole of the division advanced slowly about three-quarters of a mile down the river during the forenoon, under a heavy cannonade, the line of battle being at right angles with the river, until the rebels were dislodged from a thick wood near the river. Our front was then changed parallel with the river, and the order given to advance in the direction of the Bowling Green road. While advancing in this direction, I was ordered to support a battery at the angle made by a road crossing the Bowling Green road. In compliance with this order, I placed the brigade about 75 yards in the rear of, and a little to the right of, the battery, protected by two deep ditches. We remained

* But see revised statement, p. 137.

in this position until the battery was withdrawn. I then advanced and took a strong position behind a hedge fence, between two of our batteries, on the Bowling Green road, and within about 700 yards of the wood and heights immediately in our front, and occupied by the rebels. The enemy’s guns continued to play upon us until some time after dark. Skirmishing was kept up with the enemy’s advanced pickets until about 8 o’clock. We remained in this position until Monday night. My picket lines were within 250 yards of the enemy’s, and during Sunday and Monday nights there was occasional firing, with little loss on either side.

Monday evening, before the retreat was ordered, my pickets agreed with the enemy’s that during the night there should be no firing unless an attempt was made to advance on one side or the other. This contract was adhered to. Its enforcement aided us greatly in withdrawing our troops across the river under cover of the darkness.

Officers and men behaved admirably on the retreat, as they did during the entire fight. I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of both officers and men during the severe cannonading of Saturday. I can only say that the brigade sustained fully its well-earned reputation. Men all behaved so well I shall not attempt to speak of individual good conduct. _

A full list* of the killed and wounded has been already forwarded to your headquarters.

Yours, &c., JAMES GAVIN, Colonel Seventh Indiana, Commanding Second Brigade.

Report of Lieut. Col. J. William Hofmann, Fifty-siath Pennsylvania InSantry.

CAMP NEAR PRATT’S LANDING, V. A., December 24, 1862.

Captain: I have the honor to report the operations of the Fifty-sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, under my command, in the battles before Fredericksburg, on the 13th, 14th, and 15th instant.

On the morning of the 13th, the regiment marched, with the brigade, from the pontoon bridge to the plateau. There we took post in line on the left of the brigade, and continued with it during the battle, having had no special duty assigned to us. The regiment sustained no loss in either killed, wounded, or missing.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours,