Chancellorsville Battle Reports

Last updated June 19th, 2007 by Jenny

No. 353.--Report of Brig. Gen. James H. Lane, C. S. Army, commanding brigade.(+)

HDQRS. LANE'S BRIGADE, Camp Gregg, May 11, 1863.

CAPTAIN: On the morning of May 1, my brigade moved from its position in the second line, near Hamilton's Crossing, along the Plank road in the direction of Chancellorsville, and that night formed line of battle, with skirmishers thrown forward to the right of the road, about 1½ miles from the latter place.

Next morning, after the artillery fight on our right, it was marched to the Plank road above Chancellorsville, by the way of Welford's Iron Forge, and then ordered to move down the road by the flank while the three lines of battle advanced. After it was ascertained that, the enemy were rapidly falling back, it pushed forward with the artillery beyond the third and second lines to within a short distance of the first.

Here General A. P. Hill ordered me (at dark) to deploy one regiment as skirmishers across the road, to term line of battle in rear with the rest of the brigade, and to push vigorously forward. In other words, we were ordered to make a night attack and capture the enemy's batteries in front, if possible. Just then they opened a terrific artillery fire, which was responded to by our batteries. As soon as this was over, I deployed the Thirty-third North Carolina troops forward as skirmishers, and formed line of battle to the rear--the Seventh and Thirty-seventh to the right, the Eighteenth and Twenty-eighth to the left, the left of the Thirty-seventh and the right of the Eighteenth resting on the road. I had moved forward the Eighteenth and Twenty-eighth to within a short distance of our line of skirmishers, and was about to move the Seventh and Thirty-seventh to a corresponding position before ordering the whole line forward, when Lieutenant-Colonel [Levi H] Smith, of a Pennsylvania regiment [the One hundred and twenty-eighth], entered our lines with a white flag and wished to know if we were Confederate or Union troops. Considering this an illegitimate use of the white flag, as he expressly stated it was not his object to surrender, and not wishing to let him return, I sent Lieutenant [O.] Lane to General A. P. Hill to know what I should do. Our skirmishers on the right soon after fired upon a few of the enemy who had approached tolerably near, and a few random shots were fired by the Seventh and Thirty-seventh Regiments without orders, which appears to have drawn the enemy's artillery and infantry fire. I understand from the official report of the commanding officer of the Eighteenth North Carolina troops that General A. P. Hill, staff, and couriers were in the road in advance of them at the time, and to avoid the enemy's fire some of them dashed into the woods over the Eighteenth Regiment, which fired into them, mistaking them in the dark for the enemy's cavalry.

After this unfortunate mistake, I received information that a body of troops was moving on our right. I at once sent out Lieutenant [James W.] Emack and 4 men to reconnoiter, and they soon returned with a Pennsylvania regiment, which had thrown down their arms and surrendered themselves prisoners of war. This regiment was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, who had commenced to remonstrate with me for allowing it to be captured while he was in my lines with a white flag, when the enemy's artillery opened upon us again. I at once sent the regiment to the rear, under Captain [J. P.] Young, his company having been detailed as a guard, and turned Lieutenant-Colonel Smith over to Captain [R. H. T.] Adams, signal officer, to be taken to General A. P. Hill.

General A. P. Hill being wounded, the night attack was not made as at first contemplated. I withdrew the left wing of the Thirty-third, which formed on the right of the Seventh, and extended our line still farther to the right, with the Eighteenth and Twenty-eighth Regiments, the right of the Twenty-eighth resting on a road running obliquely to the Plank road, with two of its companies broken back, to guard against a flank movement.

Between 12 and 1 o'clock that night, the enemy could be heard marshaling their troops along our whole front, while their artillery was rumbling up the road on our right. Soon after, their artillery opened right and left, and Sickles' command rushed upon us with loud and prolonged >ar39_917> cheering. They were driven back on the left by our skirmishers, but the fight was more stubborn on the right, which was their main point of attack. The Eighteenth, Twenty-eighth, and left wing of the Thirty-third engaged them there, and gallantly drove them back, although they had outflanked us, and encountered the two right companies of the Twenty-eighth, which had been deflected in anticipation of such a movement. A subsequent attack made about half an hour later was similarly repulsed. The Twenty-eighth captured a staff officer. The colors of the Third Maine Volunteers were taken by Captain [Niven] Clark's company of the same regiment. The Eighteenth also captured an aide to General [A. S.] Williams. A number of field and company officers and a large number of men were captured along our whole line. After the enemy were repulsed, General McGowan was ordered forward with his brigade, and took position on our right.

On Sunday morning, about sunrise, the whole brigade was wheeled a little to the left, that the line might be perpendicular to the Plank road, and then, in obedience to orders, moved gallantly forward, with shouts, driving in the enemy's skirmishers, and handsomely charging and carrying their breastworks. The left of the Thirty-seventh passed entirely over the works, capturing a number of prisoners, and the gallant old Seventh eclipsed all of its former glories. These works were on a hill commanded by the Chancellorsville Hill, which was fortified with a line of earthworks for twenty-eight pieces of artillery, running nearly parallel to our position, and between 400 and 500 yards distant, with a stream of water intervening. As soon as we had dislodged their infantry, these guns, with others, opened a murderous fire of shell, grape, and canister upon us, a fresh column of their infantry was thrown against us, and, with our right flank completely turned, we were forced to fall back, with the loss of about one-third of the command.

The Twenty-eighth Regiment, commanded by its gallant young colonel, [Samuel D.] Lowe, fell back a few hundred yards, and was ordered to give assistance wherever needed, while I superintended the reforming of the rest of the brigade still farther to the rear. Colonel Lowe informs me that the Twenty-eighth behaved well throughout the remainder of the day, and that it made two more charges under heavy artillery firing, and was led in each by Major-General Stuart.

As soon as the rest of the brigade was reformed and replenished with ammunition, they were taken back into the woods to the left of the Plank road, to the support of General Colquitt's command, which was then nearly out of ammunition. The woods which we entered were on fire; the heat was excessive; the smoke arising from burning blankets, oilcloths, &c., very offensive. The dead and dying of the enemy could be seen on all sides enveloped in flames, and the ground on which we formed was so hot as at first to be disagreeable to our feet. Nothing daunted, however, the men took their positions without a murmur, and notwithstanding their previous hard marching, desperate fighting, and sleepless nights, remained under arms again the whole of Sunday night in the front line, while heavy skirmishing was going on. Never have I seen men fight more gallantly and bear fatigue and hardship more cheerfully. I shall always feel proud of the noble bearing of my brigade in the battle of Chancellorsville--the bloodiest in which it has, yet taken a part---where the Thirty-third discharged its duty so well as skirmishers, and, with the Eighteenth and Twenty-eighth, gallantly repulsed two night attacks made by vastly superior numbers, and where the Seventh and Thirty-seventh vied with each other as to who should first drive the vandals from their works.

Its gallantry has cost it many noble sacrifices, and we are called upon to mourn the loss of some of our bravest spirits. The fearless [T. J.] Purdie was killed while urging forward his men; the gentle but gallant [J. L.] Hill, after the works had been taken; and Johnnie Young, a mere boy, not yet eighteen, but a brave and efficient captain, fell, at the head of his company. Captain [W. J.] Kerr, Lieutenants [E. M.] Campbell, [R. A.] Bolick, [J. W.] Emack, [G. W.] Weaver, [J. D.] Bouchelle, [William K.] Babb, [J. D.] Callais, and [Charlton C.] Ragin, all fell in the gallant discharge of their duties, as did also J. Rocker Lane, of Company E, Fifth Virginia Cavalry, who at the time was acting as my volunteer aide.

I cannot speak in too high terms of the behavior of the officers of this brigade. Colonel [William M.] Barbour, though wounded, was from time to time with his command, giving all the assistance he could. Major [William G.] Morris, wounded in the foot, left the hospital on horseback, and assisted in reforming his regiment; Major [Thomas W.] Mayhew, after the left wing of the Thirty-third was withdrawn and Lieutenant-Colonel [R. V.] Cowan was wounded, gallantly commanded the skirmishers in the night attack, was wounded in the charge the next day, and is now thought to be in the hands of the enemy. Lieutenant-Colonel [W. H. A.] Speer was wounded in one of the night attacks, and Colonels [Clark M.] Avery and [E.G.] Haywood, Lieutenant-Colonels [Forney] George and [J. B.] Ashcraft, and Major [W. L.] Davidson in the charge Sunday morning· After the loss of so many field officers, Major [J. D.] Barry and Captains [James G.] Harris, [J. H.] Saunders, Brown, and [W. T.] Nicholson rendered me great assistance. Captain Saunders, in his official report, calls special attention to the efficiency of Lieuts. E. Price and Isaac L. Farrow, of the Thirty-third Regiment. Lieutenant [James A.] Bryan, ordnance officer, and Lieutenant [E. T.] Nicholson, brigade inspector, discharged their duties well, though the latter had but few stragglers and no skulkers to drive forward that I have yet heard of.

I am specially indebted to my aide-de-camp (Lieut. O. Lane) and to one of my couriers (George E. Barringer) for the great assistance rendered me. They both bore themselves well under the hottest fires. My other courier was a poltroon, and has been sent back to his regiment. The brigade loss is 12 commissioned officers killed, 59 wounded, and 1 missing; 149 enlisted men killed, 567 wounded, and 121 missing, making an aggregate of 909.(*)

Respectfully.

JAMES H. LANE,

Brigadier-General.

Capt. R. H. FINNEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Regimental Reports

No. 354.--Report of Capt. N. A. Pool, Seventh North Carolina Infantry.

[MAY].--, 1863.

SIR: [The following is] an account of the part acted by the Seventh Regiment North Carolina troops at the battle of Chancellorsville, May 2 and 3:

At dark on the night of May 2, the Seventh North Carolina Regiment, commanded by Col. E.G. Haywood, was ordered to the right of the Plank road. The Thirty-third Regiment North Carolina troops was on the right, then the Seventh, Thirty-seventh, Twenty-eighth, and Eighteenth [North Carolina].

The Seventh, being left in front, was ordered to countermarch, and take a position, behind a line of breastworks which had been thrown up by the Yankees. Before we were in position, the Thirty-third North Carolina troops were deployed as skirmishers in covering our front. Soon after they advanced to the front, a heavy column of the enemy advanced by the right flank up the line of breastworks, with the intention of occupying them, not knowing that the Confederates were so near. The Federals challenged our line to know who we were. We answered, "Confederates." The, enemy said, "Come in, Confederates." They asked whose brigade we were. Answered, "General Lane's." They replied, "Tell General Lane to come in." The Seventh were about to fire on them when they sent over a flag of truce, and, while the parley was going on, they demanded time, and again why their flag of truce did not return, threatening to fire on us, and finally did fire a gun at our right, which caused the regiment to fire on them, under the flag of truce, when some 250 leaped over the breastworks and surrendered prisoners of war. They remained quiet until about 10 p.m., when there was considerable noise heard in front, and the command "Forward" distinctly heard, and a charge made by the enemy to try to break our lines. The Seventh Regimen lay still, quietly waiting their appearance. They advanced on the right, and were repulsed with heavy loss by the troops on our right, not coming within range of our guns. After that charge all was quiet during the night.

On the morning of May 3, soon after sunrise, the lines were ordered forward, when the Seventh Regiment advanced forward through the woods under a galling fire until we gained the enemy's works on the first hill, and, after a desperate struggle to hold them, we were compelled to fall back for want of support.

The loss in the Seventh was heavy, including many officers killed and wounded. Colonel Haywood was wounded early in the engagement. Soon after, Major [William L.] Davidson was wounded, and, while at the enemy's works, Lieutenant-Colonel [Junius L.] Hill was killed.

N. A. POOL,

Capt. Company K, Comdg. Seventh North Carolina Troops.

[Brig. Gen. JAMES H. LANE.]

No. 355.--Report of Lieut. Col. Forney George, Eighteenth North Carolina Infantry.

SIR: I beg leave to submit the following report of the part taken by the Eighteenth Regiment North Carolina troops in the late battle of Chancellorsville:

Early on the morning of the 2d instant, we were drawn up in line of battle about three-fourths of a mile to the right of the Plank road leading from Fredericksburg to Chancellorsville, and about 1 ½ or 2 miles from the latter place. We were then ordered forward to support one of our batteries, which was engaging the enemy. Very soon the battery was disabled and withdrawn, and we lost 1 man killed and another mortally wounded by the shelling of the enemy.

>ar39_920> Between 8 and 9 o'clock we took up our line of march across and to the left of the Plank road, and by the way of Welford's Iron Forge, the enemy shelling us as we passed; thence, by a circuitous route of some or 10 miles, we reached the Turnpike road leading from Orange CourtHouse to Fredericksburg, and about dark of the 2d instant came upon the right flank and to the rear of the enemy, and for a short time were exposed to very severe shelling, by which we lost several killed and wounded. We were then drawn up in line of battle on the left of the turnpike, our right resting on the road, and ordered to charge the enemy's battery, some distance in our front. We had not advanced far (being informed that there was no one but the enemy in front of us) before General A. P. Hill and staff, who had been fired upon by the enemy, rushed upon our line in order to effect their escape, when our men, thinking it was a cavalry charge from the enemy, fired several rounds at them, doing some damage before the mistake was discovered. Very soon the enemy opened fire upon us, killing and wounding several of our men. We were then ordered across and to the right of the turnpike, and formed about 300 yards from and perpendicular to the road.

During the night the enemy advanced upon us twice, and each time he was repulsed in handsome style. We captured 3 prisoners, one a lieutenant and aide to General [A. S.] Williams.

Early on the morning of the 3d instant, we were ordered forward to charge the enemy's breastworks and a battery mounting twenty-eight guns. The men moved forward in good order. The first line of works was carried without hinderance or damage; then we advanced to within a few yards of the second line of works, and about 200 yards of the battery mounting twenty-eight guns, when the enemy opened upon us a most terrific and galling fire of grape, shell, and Minie balls. We held our ground, suffering very severely, for about half an hour, when the enemy, being heavily re-enforced, turned the right of our line, leaving our right flank exposed. We were then ordered to fall back, and just then our gallant colonel (T. J. Purdie), encouraging his men both by word and example, was killed instantly by a Minie ball passing directly through his forehead. We were then taken back and formed on the left of the turnpike, and the regiment acted as skirmishers for most of the time until the battle was ended. Both officers and men behaved well throughout the entire engagement.

Our casualties during the whole time were 34 killed, 99 wounded, and 21 missing.(*)

All of which is respectfully submitted.

F. GEORGE,

Lieut. Col., Comdg. 18th Regiment North Carolina Troops

Brig. Gen. JAMES H. LANE.

No. 356.--Report of Col. Samuel D. Lowe, Twenty-eighth North Carolina Infantry.

MAY 8, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my regiment in the battle of Chancellorsville:

By command of General Lane, I formed on the right of the brigade about 11 p.m., May 2, to the right of the Plank road, a little less than a mile in rear of Chancellorsville. The men rested on their arms in line of battle.

About 1 a.m., May 3, we found that the enemy were advancing upon our line with loud and continuous cheers. My men quietly awaited the charge till within good range, as I supposed, when they opened a tremendous fire upon the advancing column, which seemed to have the effect of halting them immediately. The charge was accompanied by a severe enfilading fire from a great many pieces of cannon, planted on a commanding position in the direction of Chancellorsville. Though the enemy extended his left flank far beyond our right, and my regiment was on the extreme right of our line, his left did not advance much more than his right, yet enough to show his intention of turning our right. This plan was probably defeated by two of my right companies, which were formed at right angles with the line on a large road. The officers of my regiment had been instructed to obey and repeat any orders coming from the left, and, when, the fight had almost ceased, the command to fall back was started by some mistake near the left and repeated to the light. The regiment at once fell back a short distance without the least confusion, but without difficulty was reformed in its proper place. We took several prisoners, such was the confusion of the enemy and the close proximity of the contending forces; also a flag belonging to the Third Maine Volunteers, which was captured by Captain [Niven] Clark's company (E.)

At 2 a.m. all was quiet, and we were permitted to rest till after daybreak. Near the time of sunrise their batteries again opened upon us, killing some of my men. In a very short time General Lane ordered me to advance my right by a change of direction to the left, which being done without halting, we charged forward in brigade line of battle, moving in a line nearly parallel to the Plank road toward Chancellorsville. When we approached the enemy's breastworks, which defended his batteries, we were met by such a storm of solid shot, grape, and canister as I never before witnessed. Here a brigade of Confederates, a little in advance and on my right, masked the front of my regiment, excepting two companies on my left. General Lane, being always present, perceived this, and ordered me to support the line in my front with whatever companies lapped it. Companies B and G passed on with the brigade, when the line before me halted. After standing a murderous fire for some time, my men tell back with the line to a breastwork which we had just passed over, and formed promptly. They did not seem discouraged, though our loss had been very heavy. General Lane then ordered me to assist in holding this line if the enemy charged upon it. General Stuart now came dashing along the line, ordering us forward to a second charge. The whole line again advanced and fought with the most determined courage, the artillery and musketry mowing our men down, till suddenly the Yankees were discovered flanking my regiment on the right. As I then had no support, I withdrew, and formed the second time behind the breastworks. Hearing that General Lane was forming the brigade on the Plank road, I reported to him to know if I should not join him. While absent, General Stuart again commanded the line forward, and my regiment charged through the same terrible artillery firing the third time, and by Captain [Edward F.] Lovill, Company A, to the support of our batteries, which had just got into position on the bill from which those of the enemy had been driven.

My officers behaved very gallantly. I cannot speak in too high terms of their bravery and activity during the whole of this hard fight. Not one of them misbehaved, so far as I could observe, but, on the contrary, all exerted themselves. The men proved themselves veterans.

The loss of my regiment is as follows: 6 officers wounded, 14 men killed and 84 wounded, as the tabular list annexed will show.(*)

Respectfully submitted.

SAM. D. LOWE,

Colonel, Commanding Twenty-eighth North Carolina Regiment.

Lieut. O. LANE,

Aide-de-Camp.

No. 357.--Report of Capt. Joseph H. Saunders, Thirty-third North Carolina Infantry.

MAY 9, 1863.

SIR: I respectfully beg leave to submit the following report of the Thirty-third North Carolina Regiment in the battles around Chancel-lorsville:

The regiment left camp with 480 men. Very few of the men fell out from sickness or any other cause during the march to Chancellorsville. The march on Saturday, May 2, was a very fatiguing one. Although the men were on very short rations, they held up remarkably well, and were in very fine spirits. I never saw the regiment go into action better than they did on that evening. While halted in the road, was exposed to the heaviest artillery fire it has ever been under.

About dark, the regiment was deployed as skirmishers on the right and left of the Plank road. We then advanced to within short range of the enemy's skirmishers. Colonel [Clark M] Avery was on the Plank road; Major Thomas W Mayhew on the extreme left. Lieutenant-Colonel [Robert V.] Cowan on the right, while I commanded the extreme right wing. After establishing my line, I went to the road for final instructions. While there, Lieutenant [James W.] Gibbs, of Company F, reported to me that a flag of truce was on the right. Lieutenant-Colonel Cowan and myself both rapidly went in that direction. When about the center of the right wing, a heavy fire was opened on us from our own troops on the left flank and rear. The skirmishers, to avoid the fire from the rear, rushed forward, the enemy's skirmishers falling back. This drew on us a heavy fire from the front and right flank· At this time Lieutenant-Colonel Cowan received a painful wound in right arm. I also think at this time most of the men now missing were captured. A good many men were wounded by this concentrated fire from all directions. I restored the line as soon as possible; then, observing a bulk of men on my right, and having no available men to send to reconnoiter, went back to Seventh [North Carolina] Regiment to ask Colonel [Edward G.] Harwood for a squad for that purpose. Lieutenant Colonel [Junius L.] Hill came forward and met me, also the officer with the flag of truce, who had run from my right when we were fired upon. At this time you came up, and sent the squad of men which captured the regiment of prisoners.

At this time we were again fired upon from all sides. Again, for the third time, I restored my line of skirmishers. I then went to the left of the road to report to Colonel Avery. Found that he had been relieved, after having been twice fired upon from all sides. The left wing suffered much more than the right did from this fire.

Major Mayhew then came to the right wing and took command. The left wing had then been formed on the right of the Seventh [North Carolina]. The enemy now made a heavy attack on the right, while the front was engaged with skirmishers, and exposed to a more severe cannonade, if possible, than they were in the evening. The right wing was again driven back, but in a short time was rallied, and again deployed for the fourth time. The left wing, under Colonel Avery, was engaged in repulsing the attack on the right. Seeing that there were not, men enough to cover the front, I reported the facts. The troops in rear were then relieved, and, under the direction of Major Mayhew, marched to the regiment, where we remained for the remainder of the night.

On Sunday morning, moved on the enemy. Both officers and men behaved gallantly, as our list of killed and wounded will show. The left wing reached the enemy's last line of works; the right did not reach them, owing to our having lapped on the Eighteenth [North Carolina] Regiment. We retired with the brigade, and reformed in rear of the battle-field. Major Mayhew was wounded and captured on the field. Colonel Avery being wounded, I assumed command, being the senior officer present. After reforming, we moved back to the front. Nothing of interest occurred afterward, except the cheerfulness with which the men worked night and day, and that, too, with scarcely anything to eat, and being under arms the greater part of four successive nights. It affords me great pleasure to be able to state, from the captains' reports, that the conscripts acted as well as the old members of the regiment.

1 respectfully beg leave to call your attention to First Lieut. E. Price, of Company B, and Lieut. Isaac L. Farrow, of Company H, for the great assistance they rendered me in reforming the regiment, and in building the earthwork, and other arduous duties we had to perform.

We lost 4 commissioned officers killed, 14 wounded, 2 missing; and 28 enlisted men killed, 87 wounded, and 66 missing; making a total of 201 killed, wounded, and missing.(*)

Very respectfully, &c.,

JOS. H. SAUNDERS,

Captain, Comdg. Thirty-third North Carolina Troops.

Brig. Gen. JAS. H. LANE.

No. 358.--Report of Col. William M. Barbour, Thirty-seventh North Carolina Infantry.

CAMP GREGG, VA., May 9, 1863.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my regiment in the battle of Chancellorsville, May 3:

After a rapid march, we gained the enemy's right flank on Saturday evening, and a running fight ensued between the advanced troops of our army and those of the enemy. Moving rapidly by the right flank, we soon gained a point near Chancellorsville, where the enemy had several batteries in position, which did us considerable injury that evening. After sunset, my regiment was deployed to the right of the road, behind a small breastwork which the enemy had abandoned. Skirmishers were thrown forward, and my regiment rested for the night.

Early next morning, I received orders to advance in line of battle and assail the enemy's works in front, my left resting on the road. I immediately put my regiment in motion, and advanced steadily under a murderous fire of grape, shell, and Minie balls. After a desperate struggle, I succeeded in carrying the breastworks in front and in capturing a number of prisoners. About this time I received a wound in my right arm, which compelled me to leave the field. I am informed by the senior captain, commanding the regiment, that the regiment continued to advance upon the enemy's second line of intrenchments, but, in common with the whole brigade, was compelled to retire by an enfilade fire from the enemy's artillery and infantry.

During the entire engagement my officers and men behaved gallantly. Lieut. Charlton C. Ragin, Company K, was killed, gallantly commanding his company.

The annexed tabular statement(*) will show that my total loss is as follows: 1 officer killed, 19 officers wounded, 35 men killed, 175 wounded, 8 men missing.

I do not hesitate to say that it was the bloodiest battle that I have ever witnessed. The Seventh North Carolina was on my right, and, as its field officers and many of the company officers are killed and wounded, I may be permitted to allude to the gallant manner in which its officers and men advanced upon the enemy's intrenchments. I doubt not that the other regiments of the brigade also behaved gallantly, but they were still farther to my right, and, of course, did not come under my observation.

In conclusion, I shall always feel proud of the noble bearing of my officers and men on the bloody field, but sad when I reflect how many who charged the enemy's intrenchments with me are numbered with the dead.

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

WILL. M. BARBOUR,

Colonel Thirty-seventh North Carolina Troops.

Capt. GEORGE B. JOHNSTON,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen.