R. D. Pettit to William Hays, December 22, 1862

Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the batteries under my command in the battle of Fredericksburg :

Between 8 and 11 o’clock on the night of the 10th instant, the batteries were all placed in their positions on the bank of the river, in the following order, from right to left: Battery E, Second U. S. Artillery, Lieutenant Benjamin; Battery A, Fourth U. 8S. Artillery, Lieutenant King; Battery G, Rhode Island Artillery, Captain Owen; Battery L, Second New York Artillery, Captain Roemer; Battery B, First New York Artillery, Captain Pettit; Second Independent Pennsylvania Battery, Captain Durell; Battery D, Fifth U. S. Artillery, Lieutenant Hazlett, and Fourth New York Independent Battery, Captain Smith.

On the morning of the 11th, I received orders for all the batteries to fire on the city; but, owing to the dense fog which obscured the city almost entirely, the batteries fired but little, and with what effect it was impossible to judge.

On the afternoon of the 11th, after our troops had crossed, the enemy opened on the city. Our batteries immediately opened on theirs, causing them in a few minutes to cease firing.

On the 12th, our batteries fired more or less at the enemy’s batteries whenever they opened on the city or our troops, and in every case the enemy would cease firing in a few minutes after our batteries commenced firing.

On the 13th, fired pretty much in the same way, and with the same effect as on the 12th. Not knowing the exact position of our troops or the enemy’s, and fearing we might injure our troops, the batteries did not fire during the attack on the 12th, except at the enemy’s batteries.

On the 14th and 15th, fired more or less at the enemy’s batteries whenever they opened on our troops or the city, with a view to induce them to cease firing, which was always the result of our firing at their batteries.

The batteries belonging to the Artillery Reserve being under the orders of other commanders during the operations, I do not deem it proper to make any report of them, only to state that they were all engaged during the entire operations.

For a more detailed account of the services of the batteries under my command, I refer you to the reports of the commanders of batteries, herewith transmitted, and fully indorse what they say with regard.to the conduct of their officers and men.

All my own staff, consisting of Lieut. H. F. Brownson, Third Artillery, acting assistant adjutant-general, acting during the engagement as aide to Colonel Tyler; Lieut. F. S. French, First Artillery, acting aide-decamp; Capt. N. J. Sappington, commissary of subsistence, who during the operatious performed the duties of aide-de-camp ; Capts. S. P. Suydam and S. B. Bean, assistant quartermasters, and Dr. C. B. White sae director, performed their respective duties with energy and ability.

Lieut. W. D. Fuller, Third Artillery, in charge of the ammunition train, volunteered for and had the command of a section of Lieutenant Hazlett’s battery until ordered to relieve Lieutenant Elbert, Third Cavalry, on account of illness, who had been left in charge of the train.

Cuar, XXXL} BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG, VA.

The important duty of supplying the batteries during the battle with ammunition was well performed by Lieuts. W. D. Fuller and Elbert.

List of ammunition expended.

Lieutenant pean Rtgiesicecttac ams entice ence dfes at ac scenes eae e see 817 MieutenantiHagious. vocs tes coe tee west she ace eae ale ce tie Bre wan lek nets BES ewe 390 Captain Owen sPenenee Se cso cars c ockee he plea Sue Seats Seen coke base dev oehes 230 apba i ethlt ed Ce Be eS case ne ccd bane ends Gace dings coeeaw cabins 1, 330 WSutenan ig hin Gye as pened eee ns ce coe ence esc aes sriccccenc camer ec 140 CaptainiOmtth cs cen cceeenociteccetceseee ne teees et acae ca cre rene eee 1, 600 Captainthoemoroncosttes anne erect ams elrc ete tase see ct me assoc ee 195 Captainipurells i. Geet toes clans ce ceases sees tac eisesass c esoeten eewec cme 192 LOM pce Pre Seale one be lsesis Cacinaielo wee eine’cees o’s eesctemontrciche cicccisecehe 4,

WILLIAM HAYS, Tneutenant-Colonel. General HENRY J. HUNT, Ohief of Artillery.

Report of Capt. Rufus D. Pettit, Battery B, First New York Light Artillery. BATTERY PETTIT, Falmouth, Va., December 17, 1862.

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that on Wednesday, the 10th instant, I was notified that I would receive orders from you, and, in compliance with such orders, the following day, as soon as the fog cleared away, I opened fire upon the enemy’s batteries that were shelling the bridge, firing during the day 130 rounds. Friday, I opened upon the same objects, and fired 350 rounds. On Saturday, I was ordered to direct my fire wherever I could see the enemy’s infantry, or upon their batteries. I did so with apparent good effect, firing during the day 700 rounds. Sunday, I fired 100 rounds at the enemy’s batteries that were shelling the city. On Monday, I fired 50 rounds at the same objects. On Tuesday, I was ordered by General Sumner to open upon the enemy’s infantry whenever they showed themselves. I discovered them stripping our dead, and fired 12 rounds at them, when I received orders to cease firing until further orders. No casualties to report on our side.

I have the honor to remain, yours, &c.,