RANSOM'S DIVISION AT FREDERICKSBURG.

horse, rode down the slope unscathed, and joined his chief, who, until his return, was ignorant of Crumley's daring feat.

General Cobb, who was wounded by a musket-ball in the calf of the leg, # died shortly after he was removed to the field-hospital in rear of the division. He and I were on intimate terms, and I had learned to esteem him warmly, as I believe every one did who came to know his great intellect and his good heart. Like Stonewall Jackson, he was a religious enthusiast, and, being firmly convinced that the South was right, believed that God would give us visible sign that Providence was with us, and daily prayed for His interposition in our behalf.

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#The statement in the text is made on the authority of Surgeon Todd, of Cobb's brigade, who says he saw the wound, and I am assured that General Cobb received all possible attention, and that everything that skill could do was done to save his life.-L. McL.
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RANSOM'S DIVISION AT FREDERICKSBURG.BY ROBERT RANSOM, BRIGADIER-GENERAL, C. S. A. IN "The Centure" magazine for August, 1886, General James Longstreet published what he "saw of the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 13th, 1862." [See p. 70.] the omissions in that article were so glaring, and did such injustice, that I wrote to him and requested him to correct what would produce false impressions. His answer was unsatisfactory, but promised that, "I [Longstreet] expect in the near future to make accounts of all battles and put them in shape, in a form not limited by words, but with full details, when there will be opportunity to elaborate upon all points of interests."

General Lee, in his report of the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13th, 1862, writes as follows:

..."Longstreet's corps constituted our left, with Anderson's division resting upon the river, and those of McLaws's, Pickett, and Hood extending to the right in the order named. Ransom's division supported the batteries on Marye's and Willis's hills, at the foot of which Cobb's brigade of McLaws's division and the 24th North Carolina of Ransom's brigade were stationed, protected by a stone-wall. The immediate care of this point was committed to General Ransom."

The italics in this paper are all mine. The positions are stated by General Lee exactly as the troops were posted. Lee's report continuous farther on:

..."About 11 A. M., having massed his [the enemy's] troops under cover of the houses of Fredericksburg, he moved forward in strong columns to seize Marye's and Willis's hills. General ransom advanced Cooke's brigade to the top of the hill, and placed his own, with the exception of the 24th North Carolina, a short distance in rear.".... "In the third assault,"his report continues, "the brave and lamented Brigadier-General Thomas R. R.Cobb fell at the head of his gallant troops, and almost at the same moment Brigadier-General Cooke was borne from the field severely wounded. Fearing that Cobb's brigade might exhaust its ammunition, General Longstreet had directed General Kershaw to take two regiments to its support. Arriving after the fall of Cobb, he assumed command, his troops taking position on the crest and at the foot of the hill, to which point General Ransom also advanced three other regiments."
General Kershaw took command of Cobb's brigade, which I had had supplied with ammunition from my wagons, and I repeated the supply during the day.

General Longstreet, in his official report, says:
..."General Ransom on Marye's Hill was charged with the immediate care of the point attacked, with orders to send forward additional reenforcements if it should become necessary, and to use Featherston's brigade of Anderson's division if he should require it." And continuing, "I directed Major-General Pickett to send me two of his brigades: one, Kemper's, was sent to General Ransom to be placed in some secure position to be ready in case it should be wanted." And again, "I would also mention, as particularly distinguished in the engagement of the 13th, Brigadier-Generals Ransom, Kershaw, and Cooke (severely wounded)."
General McLaws was not upon the part of the field in the vicinity of Marye's and Willis's hills during the battle, but his aide, Captain King, was killed on the front slope of the hill near Marye's house.

My own permanent command was a small division of two brigades of infantry,-my own, containing the 24th, 25th, 35th, and 49th; and Cooke's, the 15th, 27th, 46th, and 48th regiments,-all from North Carolina; and attached to my brigade was Branch's battery, and to Cooke's brigade the battery of Cooper.

At the time the fog began to lift from the field, I was with Generals Lee and Longstreet on what has since been known as Lee's Hill. Starting to join my command as the Federals began to emerge from the town, General Longstreet said to me: "Remember, General, I place that salient in your keeping. Do what is needed; and call on Anderson if you want help."
I brought up Cooke before the first assault to the crest of the hill, and before that assault