From the Official Reports - Col. John
R. Brooke
.
DECEMBER 11-15, 1862.--Battle of Fredericksburg,
Va. No. 76.--Reports of Col. John R.
Brooke, Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry.
FALMOUTH, VA., December 19, 1862.
SIR:
I have the honor to report
the following as the substance of the occurrences through which my regiment
passed during the recent battle of Fredericksburg:
On the morning of the 11th
of December, we moved out of Falmouth before daylight, and, joining the brigade,
were marched to a position near the Phillips house, where we remained all
night. Early next morning we marched down to and over the bridge into
Fredericksburg. Shortly after arriving at our assigned position in the town,
the regiment was advanced as skirmishers, and, meeting the skirmishers of
the enemy on the outskirts of the town, drove them back, losing 1 man during
the action. About 2 o'clock, the regiment being relieved, was withdrawn,
and joined the brigade on the river bank, where it remained all night.
The following morning, December
13, we were drawn up in line in Main street. At 12.30 p.m. I received the
order of Colonel Zook to march up the railroad, and upon reaching the outskirts
of town to bear to the right and form in rear of General French's last line,
which being done in good order, the line advanced to the front, passed the
junction of the roads, and moved steadily forward to within 60 yards of the
enemy's rifle-pits, the whole advance being made under a deadly shower of
canister and musket balls. Finding it impossible to advance farther, I threw
the right wing into and behind the houses, beyond the forks of the road;
then gradually withdrawing the left, I threw the whole force remaining behind
and into the houses referred to, keeping up an incessant fire upon the enemy's
lines, until the cartridges were all exhausted. During the action the right
was severely assailed, and sending to the colonel commanding notice of the
fact, I soon saw the gallant Colonel Miles, of General Caldwell's brigade,
coming to my support. I directed him to place his regiment on the right of
the road, which he immediately did, but not a moment too soon, as the enemy
were evidently trying to turn our right. I sent several times for relief
to the colonel commanding, one officer being shot down while carrying the
message. As none came, I did not retire, but, when all the ammunition of
living, dead, and wounded was exhausted, fixed bayonets, and stood fast,
determined to hold the point to the last. After a time, I went in person
to Colonel Owen, commanding a brigade in General Howard's division, and asked
for men, to return the fire of the enemy, which was harassing us greatly.
The men were sent, and did good service.
I cannot speak too highly
of the conduct of my officers and men. Captains Coulter and Eicholtz and
Lieutenants (commanding companies) Shields, Potts, and Smith were badly wounded,
while gallantly leading on their men. Lieutenant Cross fell mortally wounded,
while bravely cheering on the men. The wounded invariably threw their
cartridge-boxes to their comrades before leaving the field, and would then
retire alone.
Of those who escaped unhurt
I cannot speak too well. It is sufficient that they did their duty. I would
respectfully request honorable mention of Lieut. W. D. W. Miller, aide-de-camp,
of General Hancock's staff, whose gallantry is beyond all praise. I would
also add that the Twenty-seventh Connecticut Volunteers deserve all praise
for the gallant manner in which they conducted themselves. The colonel commanding
knows well how hard the men fought, it being directly under his own eye.
Lists of killed and wounded have already been sent
forward. I will only say that my loss was 155.
I also found men of Kimball's brigade in the
front.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
JOHN R. BROOKE,
Colonel Fifty-third Pennsylvania.
Lieut. CHARLES P. HATCH,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
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FALMOUTH, VA., December 19, 1862.
SIR:
I have the honor to report that,
in obedience to orders from headquarters right grand division, I proceeded,
on the morning of December 7, 1862, with a large detail of the different
regiments of the command, to the battle-field in front of Fredericksburg,
Va., where I found and buried 913 of our soldiers, and brought to this side
of the river the bodies of 5 officers, making a total of 918. Nearly all
the dead were stripped entirely naked by the enemy.
I would also report that those bodies
nearest the enemy's works were recognized as belonging to Kimball's brigade,
of French's division, and to the different regiments of Hancock's division.
The burying occupied two days.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN R. BROOKE,
Colonel Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Lieut. Col. J. H. TAYLOR,
Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General. |
