Longstreet. Ithen to Anderson, December 22, 1862

December 22, 1862.

MaAJor: In obedience to orders, I submit the following report of the part taken by my brigade in the battle before Fredericksburg :

About 5 a.m. on Thursday, the 11th instant, at the firing of the signal guns, my brigade was formed, and marched rapidly from its encampment to the line of battle previously designated for Major-General Anderson’s division, in front and to the left of Fredericksburg.

My brigade formed the right of Anderson’s division, and was posted on Thursday morning between the Plank road and Hazel Run, in front of the town, and some distance in rear of the Washington Artillery. Here we remained during that day and night, protected from the artillery fire of the enemy by a continuous range of hills in our front.

On Friday morning, my brigade was moved to the left of the Plank road, and our first position, between the Plank road and Hazel Run, occupied by General Ransom’s division. During Friday and Friday night we remained in position on the left of the Plank road, about the same distance in rear of our batteries, where we were protected by the same continuous range of hills from the enemy’s artillery fire.

About 10 a. m. on Saturday, we were ordered to advance in line of battle farther to the front, and halted about 100 yards in rear of our batteries, on the left of the Plank road, extending our line of battle up the river in the direction of the Taylor house. Here we remained during the day, subjected to a very heavy converging fire from the enemy’s artillery immediately in our front and extending up the river to our left. My men were kept lying down during the day in an old road, protecting them as much as possible. The enemy’s batteries immediately in front were numerous and skillfully served. Their batteries on our left completely enfiladed our position, which they did not fail to see, and «f which they took every advantage to avail themselves.

The fire of the enemy’s artillery could not have been more rapid or galling on any part of the line than that which was brought to bear on our position on Saturday. The right of my brigade was also within range of the fire of the enemy’s small-arms. My orders were to hold this position in support of the batteries immediately in my front, and to advance to the batteries when the enemy advanced, with small-arms, immediately in my front. There was no considerable advance of the enemy’s small. arms in our immediate front during the entire engagement. We remained in this position Saturday night, Sunday, and Sunday night, Monday, and Monday night.

Ata late hour on Sunday night I was advised by General Ransom that one of his brigades would be withdrawn and sent across Hazel Run down the river,

by order of Lieutenant-General Longstreet. I then