Unknown, December 18, 1862
CAPTAIN:
I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of the Second Brigade, Third Division, First Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, on the south side of the Rappahannock River:
The Second Brigade, Third Division, First Army Corps, composed of the Third, Fourth, Seventh, and Eighth Regiments of Pennsylvania Reserves, and the One hundred and forty-second Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, crossed the Rappahannock River on the pontoon bridge Friday, December 12, and formed in column of division front, on- the west of the Bernard mansion, when they were marched to a point a short distance east of the mansion, and deployed in line of sbattle, the left eee on the Rappahannock River, where we bivouacked for the night.
About 9 o’clock on Saturday morning, December 13, we marched across a small branch, and formed in line of battle parallel to the Fredericksburg and Bowling Green road, and about 100 yards to the east of the road facing the enemy’s line of intrenchments. Here we were expores to a very severe cannonade fire from the enemy for about two
About 1 p. m. we were ordered forward to attack the enemy, and in support of the First Brigade, Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps, then about 100 yards in front. The brigade advanced in good line, and the One hundred and forty-second and Eighth Regiments were checked and stopped at the railroad. The Third, Fourth, and Seventh Regiments proceeded across the railroad and up the hills, driving the enemy in front of them, until they reached a new line of the enemy, concealed just beyond the summit of the hills, when they opened a dreadful fire upon the line, at a few yards distant only, and caused the whole line to break and fall to the rear. They were then formed beyond the musket range of the enemy, and placed in line of battle on the same ground we had marched from the same morning, where we remained until the evening of the 15th instant, and then recrossed the river.
Our loss in killed, wounded, and missing is reported at 22 officers and
Report of Lieut. Ool. Robert Anderson, Ninth Pennsylvania Reserves, commanding Third Brigade.