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Second Manassas Battle Report: Thomas's Brigade

AUGUST 16-SEPTEMBER 2, 1862.--Campaign in Northern Virginia.

No. 189.--Report of Brig. Gen. Edward L. Thomas, C. S. Army, commanding brigade, of operations August 28-September 20.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, LIGHT DIVISION,

October 26, 1862.

MAJOR: On Thursday, August 28, near Sudley Ford, this brigade was held in reserve by order of General Hill; was under fire, but took no active part, and after the enemy gave way moved forward and bivouacked for the night on the field.

Early on Friday, August 29, the march was resumed, with directions to be prepared for an attack near the railroad. General Gregg's brigade meeting the enemy there, this brigade advanced to the right, the regiments being thrown in successively until all became engaged. The enemy were in strong position on the railroad. We at once advanced and drove them from it. This position we were ordered to hold, and if possible to avoid bringing on a general engagement, and held it against several attacks from the enemy in strong force during the day. In the afternoon an overwhelming force attacked us (now almost without ammunition) in front and on the left flank and forced us back a short distance, when General Pender's brigade advanced promptly and in fine order to the assistance of the Third, most of which joined General Pender's, and together they drove back the enemy some distance beyond our previous position, which was held until night, the brigade bivouacking on the field·

On Saturday, August 30, we were ordered to take position near the left of the line, which position was held during the day against repeated attacks from the enemy in strong force. Late in the afternoon the Third Brigade, with General Pender's and General Archer's was ordered to move forward en echelon. The enemy were driven back a distance of 1 ½ miles, and the brigade bivouacked that night some distance to the rear of the enemy's position during the day.

On Monday, September 1, near Germantown, the Third Brigade was ordered to the support of General Gregg. After a sharp conflict with a body of the enemy they were driven back, and the field was held by our troops that night.

On September 14 and 15 this brigade was ordered to support General Pender's, then advancing upon Harper's Ferry. We were exposed to a heavy artillery fire, which caused some loss, but took no active part, and had moved to within a short distance of the enemy's works when they surrendered.

At Shepherdstown, on September 20, we were placed in position on the extreme right of the line, and were ordered to advance toward the Potomac River. Moving forward we took position commanding the ford; remained under a heavy artillery fire until night, and were then ordered back to camp.

Col. R. W. Folsom, Fourteenth Georgia Regiment; Lieut. Col. S. M. Manning, Forty-ninth Georgia, and Maj. W. L. Grice, Forty-fifth Georgia, led their commands with a skill and gallantry highly honorable to them.

Maj. Lewis Ginter, Lieut. William Norwood, and Lieut. John Tyler, of the staff, performed their duties with gallantry on the field, and I take this occasion to acknowledge their valuable services to me.

With few exceptions the officers and men of this command conducted themselves on the field in a manner highly honorable to them. Their courage, their cheerful obedience to orders, and their patient endurance of hardships cannot be commended too highly.

I have the honor to be, major, with highest respect, your obedient servant,

EDWD. L. THOMAS,

Brigadier-General.

Maj. R. C. MORGAN,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Light Division.