W. M. B. Taliaferro to A. S. Pendleton, December 24, 1862

CAPTAIN:

In conformity with the order of the lieutenant-general comnandjling, I have the honor to report the operations of this division on the 13th and 14th instant, before Fredericksburg.

On the morning of the 12th, I marched from Guiney’s Station to Hamjlton’s Crossing, at which place { found the division of Maj. Gen. A. P. Hill posted in order of battle from the crossing, on the right, to Bernard’s quarters, on the left. I tock position on the railroad to his right, but was subsequently ordered to move my command to the rear of the left of his Jine. I posted Paxton’s and Starke’s [Pendlcton’s] brigades in rear of Gregg’s and Thomas’, of Hill’s division, and held Taliaterro’s

* But see Report No. 265, p 561.

T, H.) Warren, commanding Taliaferro’s brigade, to the rear of Hamilton’s house, to support the artillery posted on the hill in front.

Upon the arrival of Early’s division next morning, this brigade was withdrawn, and reoccupied its old position. General Early’s line connected with mineon the right. My artillery was held at the crossing on the Mine road, to the left of the division. I reported to General A. P. Hill my dispositions in his rear, and informed him that I had ordered the brigade and battery commanders to recognize any demands for support, if pressing, without the intervention of immediate superiors. —

Early on the morning of the 13th, the batteries of Captains Wooding and Carpenter, the latter commanded by Lieutenant [George] McKendree, were posted in the field across the railroad, to the right of Bernard’s quarters, and the Lee Battery, Lieutenant [Charles W.] Statham, and two pieces of Lusk’s battery on the hill to the left. The other pieces of these batteries operated on the extreme right. The enemy advanced about 9 o’clock, wheu our batteries opened a destructive fire upon them, causing them to waver and break, but they again advanced, concentrating so heavy a fire of artillery upon the position that it became necessary to retire the batteries behind the railroad, in rear of the quarters, after two hours’ action. The infantry of the division during this time were subjected to the shells of the enemy, but advanced to the wilitary road, to be in easy support of General Hill’s line, with perfect steadiness and enthusiasm. General Paxton, finding that our troops were giving back to the right of Gregg’s brigade, and the enemy advancing beyond the front line through a gap which fronted a boggy wood, supposed to be inaccessible to the enemy, moved his brigade to the right, and engaged, with two of his regiments, thé enemy who had penetrated to the military road, but who were retiring by the time he reached that point. He then pushed forward to the front, and occupied for the rest of the day the front line at that place. The other brigades were held in position in rear of the military road until the morning of the 14th, when I relieved General A. P. Hill’s troops, in the front; Starke’s brigade relieving General Pender’s, on the left; Jones’, Taliaferro’s, and Paxton’s occupying the railroad and connecting with General Early’s troops, on the right.

At daybreak the enemy made a slight demonstration on my left, their skirmishers advancing nearly to the railroad cut, but they were instantly driven back.

I thought it advisable to change the position of Starke’s brigade, which had relieved Pender’s, and extend my left on the railroad. This was ordered and accomplished, but I subsequently. withdrew part of that brigade and held it in position to command the rising ground near Bernard’s quarters.

The skirmishing in the early part of the day was quite brisk and animated along the whole line, but ceased about midday. I had given positive orders to waste no ammunition, and to fire only when the annoyance of the enemy’s skirmishers rendered it necessary. I am satisfied the men fired with deliberation and considerable effect. I had a battery masked behind Bernard’s houses, and some of my pieces to the left co-operated with those of General Hood. At 5a. m. of the 15th, I was relieved by General D. H. Hill, and moved my command back to the Mine road.

I take plea-ure in stating that officers and men behaved admirably, displaying coulness and courage under fire, and changing positions without any disorder or confusion.

usar, XXXL.) BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG, fA.

I would particularly mention Brigadier-Generals Jones and Paxton, Colonel Warren (Tenth Virginia), commanding Taliaferro’s brigade, and Colonel [Edmund] Pendleton (Fifteenth Louisiana), commanding Starke’s brigade, whose reports are herewith forwarded, and who wake special mention of some of their officers; among them most particularly Lieutenant-Colonel [R. D.] Gardner, Fourth Virginia Infantry, who was severely wounded.

I cannot too highly mention the gallantry of Captain [J. B.] Brockenbrough, chief of artillery, and of Captain Wooding, and Lieutenant Y oseph H. Jones, Wooding’s battery, and Lieutenant [William T.

uambie, Carpenter’s battery, all of whom were severely wounded ; an of Captain [William Sa Caskie, Lieutenants McKendree, [Thomas W.] Hunton, Statham, [William] Early, and [William K.] Donald.

It is with great pain I have to add that the division has to deplore the loss of one of its most gallant officers of artillery—Lieutenant [D. k.] Barton—and two gallant officers of the Twenty-first Virginia Regiment— Captain [Thomas S.] Ames and Lieutenant [George W.] Swoope—who fell, nobly discharging their duty.

I take occasion, in conclusion, to acknowledge my obligations to the officers of my staff—Capt. W. T. Taliaferro, assistant adjutant-general ; Captain [Edwin L.] Moore, inspector. general, and Maj. T. 8S. Taliaferro, volunteer aide-de-camp—and to call attention to the excellent arrangements made for the comfort of the wounded by Surgeon [R. T. Coleman, medical director of division.

I inclose a list of killed and wounded, amounting to 190.*

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient, servant,