James Barnes to Eighteenth Massachusetts, December 19, 1862

CAPTAIN:

I have the honor to report the following facts in relation to the operations of this brigade from the 11th to the 15th instant :

On the 11th instant, orders were received to leave camp with three days’ provisions without any other incumbrance. This brigade accordingly took up the line of march at 7 a. m., and proceeded on the road to Falmouth. It was drawn up on open ground opposite Fredericksburg, and remained under arms until night, when it bivouacked in the neighboring wood.

On the morning of the 12th, it was again early under arms, and moved to the neighborhood of the lower pontoon bridge over the Rappahannock, but received no further orders during the day. __

On the morning of the 13th instant (Saturday), the brigade was again early under arms, with instructions to be ready at a moment’s warning to cross the river.

At about 2 p. m. the movement commenced, and in a few minutes we passed over the bridge into Fredericksburg, and upon reaching the city I was directed to form the brigade in line of battle in rear of the position occupied by a portion of the command of General Sturgis. This was accordingly done, and orders immediately given to advance to the front, for the purpose of relieving those who had been engaged there three or four hours. This command was promptly and eagerly obeyed. The brigade passed over the intervening space through a heavy fire from the rifle-pits and batteries of the enemy, which had been advantageously established upon the crest of the hill up which it passed. Although exposed to this galling fire, and notwithstanding the disadvantage of the ground, which afforded no protection, it gives me pleasure to bear witness to the unflinching devotion of both officers and men to the duty they were called upon to perform. They passed immediately to the front of the troops whom they were sent to relieve, and maintained this advanced position during the rest of the day. The firing here was incessant. From their batteries and rifle-pits in frontthe enemy ADEA Pan PreaeES er eM OO aa Yr age Pr eret 6 oe high ag AY

*List of casualties, omitted, shows: Killed, 1 enlisted man; wounded, 1 enlisted man; horses killed and disabled, 14.

Cuar, XXXUIL] BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG, VA.

poured a shower of balls and shells, but the brigade was ‘nstructed to

hold the position at all hazards, and it held it, and when their ammunition was expended the men laid down upon the ground and waited for

relief. At this time the Second Brigade of this division advanced to the

front to relieve us, and night coming on, the firing slackened and finally

ae The command slept upon the ground they had so gallantly eld.

During the night.they were supplied with ammunition, and were prepared for such further duty as the dawn of day would require. The strength of the works in front of us was such that it was impossible to take them without other and greater force than was at our disposal, and the orders received at the dawn of day to spare ammunition, to guard against attack, and to hold the ground, were those that governed us during the day. The brigade remained upon the ground through the day, with occasional firing, and late at night, upon being relieved, they returned to the city of Fredericksburg for necessary rest.

The brigade remained in the city until early on the morning of Tuesday. Orders were then received to recross the river, which was accomplished quietly, and in the course of the day it arrived at this camp, upon the ground occupied by it on the 11th instant.

I have thus given a brief summary of the events that have transpired with this brigade during the period referred to. It is my duty to add a few words as to the manner in which their duty was discharged by both officers and men. There are difficulties in the way of any discrimimation where all have discharged their full duty. The enemy had advantages of position, which they fully understood, and of which they availed themselves; but against all odds the brigade advanced to its assigned position in a manner which met my warm approval.

The Eighteenth Massachusetts, on the right, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hayes, in the eagerness of its gallant commander, pushed on in advance of the rest of the line, and, being thus temporarily separated from it, was exposed to a most galling fire. It was soon compelled to retire, reform, and rejoin the brigade. Capt. George O. Ruby, the senior captain of the regiment, and a brave soldier, fell in this attack, and the regiment will mourn his loss.

The Twenty-fifth New York, under the command of Captain Connelly ; the Thirteenth New York, at first under the command of Colonel Marshall, was early in the action, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Scheeffel, Colonel Marshall being compelled to retire in consequence of a severe wound in the neck ; the One hundred and Highteenth Pennsylvania, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Gwyn ; the First Michigan, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Abbott, who was wounded in the face, and very narrowly escaped; the Twentysecond Massachusetts, under the command of Lieutenant-Oolonel Tilton, and the Second Maine, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Varney, who, being wounded in the head, was compelled to retire, devolving the command upon Major Sargent, all deserve that I should mention them with approbation.

The detailed list of casualties, which I have had the honor to forward, is the best evidence that I can give that the brigade occupied no place of safety, and sufficiently attests the fact that the duty assigned to it was not neglected. ; é

I must not omit to mention the fearless and satisfactory manner in which my aide, Lieut. W. 8. Davis, conducted himself during the whole period of the conflict. .

The brigade numbered in all 146 officers and 2,227 men.

The casualties are as follows:

Wend… 2. oon een ces cc cee enc coarse cc nccene cn conc cec csc ccscns cena nncncasecsarce 23) 3 113 Total®. 2-203 occ nc scence cence ccsncesecsesenesennccennencaeeacsescareranann =~ 26 375

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