R. Ransom, J. R to G. Moxley Sorrel, December 20, 1862

Ste: I have the honor to submit the following report of my division during the several days’ operations before Fredericksburg, commenc. ing on the 11th instant:

On the morning of that day the division took position about 600 yards in rear of our batteries, which were upon Marye’s and Willis’ Hills, and at the time occupied by the Washington Artillery. About noon it was withdrawn to the Telegraph road, alittle in rear of where General Longstreet had his headquarters during the day. At 9p. m. it retook the position of the morning, Cooke’s brigade being advanced to within 200 yards of our batteries, and the Twenty-fourth North Carolina Volunteers, of my brigade, was placed in a ditch on the left and in the prolongation of Cobb’s brigade, which occupied the Telegraph road in front of Marye’s and Willis’ Hills. The left of the Twenty-fourth rested on the Plank road. My batteries remained in rear of the division.

On the 12th, there was no change, except the placing of three longrange guns from Cooper’s battery near Howison’s house, on the right of the Telegraph road. During these two days occasional shells from the enemy’s guns burst among and near the troops, but there were few br no injuries.

About 11.30 a. m. on the 13th, large numbers of skirmishers were thrown out from the town by the enemy, and it soon became evident that an effort would be made to take our batteries which I was supporting. Cooke’s brigade was ordered to occupy the crest of Marye’s and Willis’ Hills, which was done in fine style. By this time the enemy backed his skirmishers with a compact line and advanced toward the hills, but the Washington Artillery and a well-directed fire from Cobb’s and Oooke’s brigades drove them quickly back to their shelter in the town. But a few minutes elapsed before another line was formed by the enemy, he all the while keeping up a brisk fire with sharpshooters. This line advanced with the utmost determination, and some few of them got within

(for there were then no rifle-pits on the hills), were thrown into the road with Cobb’s brigade. For some few minutes there was a cessation of fire, but we were not kept long in expectancy. The enemy now seemed determined to reach our position, and formed apparently a triple line. Observing this movement on his part, I brought up the three regiments of my brigade to within 100 yards of the crest of the hills, and pushed forward the Twenty-fifth North Carolina Volunteers to the crest. The enemy, almost massed, moved to the charge heroically, and met the withering fire of our artillery and small-arms with wonderful staunchness. On they came to within less than 150 paces of our line, but nothing could live before the sheet of lead that was hurled at them from this distance. They momentarily wavered, broke, and rushed headlong from the field. A few, however, more resolute than the rest, lingered under cover of some fences and houses, and annoyed us with a scattering but – well-direrted fire. The Twenty-fifth North Carolina Volunteers reached

40 B R—VOL XXI the crest of the hill just in time to pour into the enemy a few volleys at most deadly range, and then took position shoulder to shoulder with Cobb’s and Cooke’s men in the road.

During this attack the gallant Brigadier-General Cobb was mortally wounded, and almost at the same instant Brigadier-General Cooke was wounded and taken from the field. Colonel [E. D.] Hall, Forty-sixth North Carolina Volunteers, succeeded to the command of his brigade.

Nothing daunted by the fearful punishment he had received, the enemy brought out fresh and increased numbers of troops. Fearing lest he might by mere force of numbers pass over our line, I determined to resist him with every man at my disposal, and started in person to place the remaining two regiments of my brigade. Justat this instant BrigadierGeneral Kershaw dashed on horseback at the head of one of his regiments up the new road, leading from the Telegraph road and near the mill, and led it into the fight immediately at Marye’s house. A second regiment from his brigade followed and took position in rear of and near the grave-yard on Willis’ Hill and remained there. I now advanced my regiments, and placed one a few yards in rear of Marye’s house and the other on its right and a little more retired. With his increased numbers the enemy moved forward. Our men held their fire till it would be fatally effective. Meantime our artillery was spreading fearful havoc among the enemy’s ranks. Still he advanced and received the destructive fire of our line. Even more resolute than before, he seemed determined madly to press on, but his efforts could avail nothing. At length, broken and seemingly dismayed, the whole mass turned and fled to the very center of the town. va

At this time I sent my adjutant-general to the road to ascertain th condition of the troops and the amount of ammunition on hand. His report was truly gratifying, representing the men in highest spirits and an abundance of ammunition. I had ordered Cobb’s brigade supplied from my wagons.

The afternoon was now nearly spent, and it appeared that the enemy would not again renew his attempts to carry our position. Again, however, an effort, more feeble than those which had preceded, was made to push his troops over the bodies of the now numerous slain. The sun was down, and darkness was fast hiding the enemy from view, and it was reasonable to suppose there would be no further movements, at least toward the point we held; but the frequent and determined assaults he had made would not permit me to despise either his courage or his hardihood ; and thinking that as a last alternative he might resort to the bayonet, under cover of darkness, massed my little command, so as to meet such an attack with all the power we were capable of exerting. Instead, however, of a charge with the bayonet, just after dark he opened a tremendous fire of small-arms and at short range upon my whole line. This last desperate and murderous attack met the same fate which had befallen those which preceded, and his hosts were sent, actually howling, back to their beaten comrades in the town.

A short time before the last attack, Brigadier-General Kemper had reported to me with his brigade. With two of his regiments I relieved the Twenty-fourth North Carolina Volunteers, which had been in the ditch two days, and placed the others in close supporting distance of the crest of the hill. During the whole time the enemy’s artillery had not ceased to play upon us, but our batteries took no notice of it, reserving their fire and using it against his infantry as it would form and advance with

eae naty effect. Thus ended the fighting in front of Fredericksburg.

By 1 p. m. General Kershaw had put the whole of his brigade in the road and sent me word he could hold it. I was satisfied no further attempt would be made by the enemy before daylight, and withdrew my division 200 yards and permitted it to rest. At this time of night I received orders to send a battery of long-range guns to Major [John J , Garnett. The three guns of Cooper’s at Howison’s house were sent, an they replaced by a like number from Branch’s battery.

Until about 4 p. m. on the 13th, the Washington Artillery had served in the batteries, when it was relieved by Colonel Alexander’s battalion, and during the night I replaced five of his guns with 12-pounder howitzers from my batteries. During the day only three of my guns were in action, and those were at the Howison house. I am informed by the report of the captain that they did good service both in the direction of Fredericksburg and more to the right.

On the 14th, little of moment occurred. The enemy annoyed us by an unceasing fire from sharpshooters, but did little injury. Early on that night I was directed to return Kemper’s brigade to General Pickett. It was replaced by my own. Before daylight orders came to relieve Jenkins’ brigade, on the right of the Telegraph road, which I had done with my own, and the latter was replaced by Cooke’s and one regiment from Featherston’s, which was immediately on my left.

Late in the afternoon of the 15th, large numbers of infantry were seen collecting in the town, and the sharpshooters again began to be troublesome. Colonel Alexander and Lieutenant [Capt. J. R.] Branch—the latter having charge of a 12-pounder howitzer and a Napoleon which Colonel Alexander had sent me—by a few well-directed shell dispersed the infantry in the town and dislodged the sharpshooters.

About daylight on the morning of the 16th, Brigadier-General Jenkins, with his brigade, reported to me and relieved Cooke’s.

Too high commendation cannot be bestowed upon the troops under my command and those of the other corps who came under my observation, and I trust it will not be out of place to mention some at least of the latter. The unwavering firmness evinced throughout by all raises them to the highest pitch of admiration. The field, on the 13th, presented the unprecedented spectacle of a fierce battle raging, and not a straggler from the ranks.

Brigadier-General Cooke was wounded early in the action, but handled his troops well. Brigadier-General Kemper came upon the field late, but in the handsomest style, under a galling fire, moved his command into position with the greatest alacrity and steadiness, and during this time lost a few killed and quite a number wounded. ‘

While I do not disparage any, I cannot fail to mention the splendid and dashing action of the Twenty-fifth North Carolina Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel [Samuel C.] Bryson commanding, in going into battle, though, as part of my command, I will not pass over the already famous Washington Artillery. Its gallantry and efficiency are above praise. Colonel Alexander, of the artillery, brought in his battalion admirably and relieved the Washington Artillery under a hot fire. I regret that I could not witness the part taken by the long-range guns of my batteries, but from the commanders’ reports they did good service, both in the direction of Fredericksburg and more to the right of our lines. Lieutenant [Capt. J. R.] Branch, in charge of the two pieces above mentioned, handled them beautifully.

Lieutenant and Adjutant [Oliver D.] Cooke, Twenty-fourth North Carolina Volunteers, was severely wounded. I have before witnessed his conduct, and no one more richly merits promotion.

The valuable assistance and daring gallantry of my assistant adjutant general, Capt. Thomas Rowland, and volunteer aide, Dr. H. J. Davis, deserve my warmest commendations. They three times each during the day traversed the entire front of my line, descending and returning from the road, thus six times running the gauntlet of a most fearful fire.

I am much indebted to Lieut. E. A. Thorne, ordnance officer for the division, for his devotion and energy. Whatever might have been the duration of the battle, so long as ammunition could have been had I felt sure that my troops would be supplied. After the battle he collected about 2,000 small-arms. Lieutenant and Aide-de-Camp [William E.] Broadnax rendered valuable aid.

I should fail in my duty if I did not notice the splendid dash of General Kershaw and his staff. Lieutenant [R. P.] Landry, of Captain [V.] Maurin’s battery (I believe called the Donaldsonville Artillery), by direction of Captain [Osman] Latrobe, acting adjutant and inspector general, took his piece from behind the epaulement in order to dislodge a body of the enemy upon whom the battery could not play. Most effectually he performed this service, but in doing so lost several of his men, and had his piece disabled. His conduct was admirable, for during the time he was exposed to a direct fire of six and an enfilade fire of four guns.

With sadness we mourn the loss of many gallant men, but I will pay a special tribute to the intrepid General Cobb, who fell, mortally wounded, in the midst of his men, while nobly defending our righteous cause. His brigade throughout the day remained at the post of hoor in the front line.

Among those who fell, and those of his comrades who lament his loss, there was not one more meritorious than the modest, but brave and manly, Major [J. M.] Kelly, of the Thirty-fifth North Carolina Volunteers. To two of my couriers—Private De Vane, Twenty-fourth, and Private Hood, Thirty-fifth North Carolina Volunteers—I am truly inaed for their devotion, gallantry, and intelligence during the several

I herewith inclose a complete list* of the casualties in my division; in the aggregate, 530. The wounded bear a large proportion to the killed.

Before the town there were not engaged, all told, on our part, more than 5,000. It is impossible to estimate exactly the number of the enemy who were opposed to us. From prisoners taken it is certain that all of Sumner’s grand division and part of Hooker’s was brought against the position. Among these can be named specially Hancock’s and Whipple’s divisions, the Irish Brigade, and the whole of the regular infantry of the old United States Army, the latter under Sykes.

The enemy’s loss in killed must have been very large. Each of the nights of Saturday, Sunday, and Monday the enemy bore off large numbers. On Tuesday I walked over the field, and the slain lay in many places piled upon each other. As I understand an accurate count of those buried has been made, I will not hazard an opinion as to the real number killed. The havoc was appalling.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,