Dispatch
the major-general commanding, December 26, 1862
HEADQUARTERS KERSHAW’S BRIGADE,
Near Fredericksburg, Va., December 26, 1862.
MAJor: I have the honor to submit a report of the operations of my command during the recent engagement.
On the morning of the 11th instant, by daylight, the brigade was formed in line of battle in the position assigned me, the right resting at the left of Howison’s Hill, and the left near Howison’s Mill, on Hazel Run. Ordered during the morning to re-enforce the picket of General Barksdale, at Deep Run, the Fifteenth Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, Colonel De Saussure, was sent, but found the bridge at that point already completed, and perfectly commanded by the batteries on the other side. This regiment remained on picket until withdrawn to its former position,
by order of the major-general commanding, on Friday morning, after a
night of such intense cold as to cause the death of one man and disable,
temporarily, others. With this exception, the troops Were kept in position strengthening our defenses nightly without any incident requiring
notice until Saturday, the 13th.
_About 1 o'clock of that day I was directed to send tworegiments into the
temporarily, others. With this exception, the troops Were kept in position strengthening our defenses nightly without any incident requiring
notice until Saturday, the 13th.
_About 1 o'clock of that day I was directed to send tworegiments into the
city to the support of General Cobb, then engaged with part of his bri.
gade at the foot of Marye's Hill, and having called for re-enforcements. I
sent forward atonce Col. John D. Kennedy with his own (Second) regiment and the Eighth Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, Capt. E. T. Stackhousecommanding. Within afew minutes after, I was directed to take my
entire command to the same point and assume command there. I had just
gade at the foot of Marye's Hill, and having called for re-enforcements. I
sent forward atonce Col. John D. Kennedy with his own (Second) regiment and the Eighth Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, Capt. E. T. Stackhousecommanding. Within afew minutes after, I was directed to take my
entire command to the same point and assume command there. I had just
Editor's Notes
From: Operations in N. Virginia, W. Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, 1862–63. Location: Near Fredericksburg, Va.. Summary: The major-general commanding reports on his brigade's defensive positioning near Fredericksburg in December 1862, including reinforcement actions, harsh weather effects, and support sent to General Cobb during engagement.
Topics
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 21
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