Colonel E. M. Law commanding; my own brigade, First, Fourth, and Fifth Texas, Eighteenth Georgia and Hampton legion, and Riley's, Bachman's, and Garden's batteries, Major B. W. Frobel commanding, in the engagements at Freeman's, Ford, on the Rappahannock River, August twenty-second; plains of Manassas, August twenty-ninth and thirtieth; Boonsboro' Gap, Maryland, September fourteenth, and Sharpsburg, Maryland, September sixteenth and seventeenth, 1862: engaged with a very heavy force of the enemy, captured one piece of artillery, three stands of colors, and one hundred prisoners; and the Texas brigade, three stands of colors. It soon became so very dark that it was impossible to pursue the enemy any farther. At twelve o'clock at night, orders came to retake our position on the right of General Jackson, in which we remained until four o'clock next afternoon, (August thirtieth,) when the battle of the plains of Manassas commenced by a On the twenty-second August, agreeable to or- most vigorous attack by the enemy upon the right ders of the commanding General, I proceeded to of General Jackson. After a severe struggle, the Freeman's Ford to relieve General Trimble's bri- enemy gave way in great confusion on the left of gade. On my arrival in the afternoon, I found the pike, and, by direction of the General comthe enemy had crossed over the river, and were manding, I moved forward this division, with the in the immediate front of General Trimble. The Texas brigade on the right of the pike, and Texas brigade being placed on the right, and Colonel Law's advancing on the left, and passing Colonel Law's on the left, the attack was at once over to the right. Within one hundred and fifty made, General Trimble leading off in the centre. yards after leaving their position, the Texan briThe enemy were driven precipitately over the gade became engaged with a heavy force of the Rappahannock with considerable loss, not less, I enemy; but, with their usual daring and enthusithink, than from two to three hundred. During asm, they charged gallantly on, driving a largely the engagement, Major Whaley, Fifth Texas, fell, superior force a distance of one and a half miles, gallantly discharging his duties. The next night causing terrible slaughter in their ranks, capturthe command marched to Waterloo Ford, and ing a battery of four guns crowning the heights relieved General A. P. Hill's division. From this near the Chinn house Colonel Law's brigade point, having joined the main body of General having moved forward on the left, driving the Longstreet's forces, the march was continued in enemy, and accomplishing most noble work in the direction of Manassas. On arriving at Thor- their immediate front. The Texas brigade havoughfare Gap, the enemy were drawn up in line ing gained the heights, and being a long distance to dispute our passage. After a spirited little in advance of the remainder of our troops, and engagement with them by General D. R. Jones's very much exhausted, I ordered them to halt and troops, on the evening of the twenty-eighth in- hold their ground. Soon after, General Evans's stant, our forces were able to bivouac for the brigade came up and became engaged. I passed night beyond the gap. The next morning at day-on to the heights and assisted in placing other light, the march was again resumed, with this division in the advance; Lieutenant-Colonel Upton, of the Fifth Texas, in command of a party of select Texan riflemen, constituting the advance guard. brigades in position as they arrived on the field, and so soon as my own troops were sufficiently rested, they were brought forward, and slept upon the field of battle near the Sudley Ford road The noble troops of this division captured four (4) pieces of artillery and eight stands of colors, and, as to their gallantry and unflinching courage, they stand unsurpassed within the history of the world. Coming up with the rear guard of the enemy before sunrise, this gallant and distinguished officer drove them before him so rapidly that halts would have to be made for the troops in rear to rest. Early in the day we came up with the Many gallant officers and men fell upon this main body of the enemy on the plains of Manas- memorable field, and our country has cause to sas, engaging General Jackson's forces. Dispo-regret the loss of none of her sons more than sition of the troops being made, the Texas bri- that of Lieutenant-Colonel John C. Upton, Fifth gade advanced in line of battle down, and on the Texas. Major Townsend, of the Fourth Texas; immediate right of, the pike leading to the stone Lieutenant-Colonel Ruff and Major Griffin, of the bridge, and Colonel Law's brigade on the left. Eighteenth Georgia, and Captain K. Bryan, ActArriving on a line with the line of battle estab-ing Major of the Fifth Texas, fell, severely lished by General Jackson, the division was halted by order of the General commanding. About four o'clock in the afternoon, the enemy made a fierce attack upon General Jackson, his noble troops holding their ground with their usual gallantry. At sunset an order came to me from the commanding General to move forward and attack the enemy. Before, however, this division could come to attention, they were attacked, and I instantly ordered the two brigades to move forward and charge the enemy, which they did most gallantly, driving them in confusion in front of them. Colonel Law's brigade, being wounded, whilst nobly discharging their duties. Of the different regimental commanders too much cannot be said. Colonel J. B. Robertson, Fifth Texas, was wounded whilst directing his regiment far in advance of the crest of the hill, when the brigade was ordered to halt; Colonel W. T. Wofford, of the Eighteenth Georgia; Lieutenant-Colonel B. F. Carter, commanding Fourth Texas; Lieutenant-Colonel P. A. Work, First Texas; Lieutenant-Colonel Gary, commanding Hampton legion; Colonel Stone, Second Mississippi; Colonel P. F. Liddell, Eleventh_Mississippi; Lieutenant-Colonel O. K. McLemore, . Fourth Alabama; and Major R. F. Webb, Sixth North Carolina, although not wounded, were conspicuous upon this hotly contested field, leading forward the many brave men of their commands. After all the field and acting field officers of the Fifth Texas regiment had fallen, Captain J. N. M. Turner gallantly led that regiment through. The next day, after burying the dead, the march was continued to Sudley Ford, and from thence to Hagerstown, Maryland, via Frederick City, crossing the Potomac at White's Ford, near Leesburg. about three o'clock, the firing commenced along the line occupied by General Lawton. At six o'clock. I received notice from him that he would require all the assistance I could give him. A few minutes after, a member of his staff reported to me that he was wounded, and wished me to come forward as soon as possible. Being in readiness, I at once marched out on the field, in line of battle, and soon became engaged with an immense force of the enemy, consisting of not less than two corps of their army. It was here that I witnessed the most terrible clash of arms, by far, that has occurred during the war. The two little giant brigades of this division wrestled with this mighty force, losing hundreds of their gallant officers and men, but driving the enemy from his position, and forcing him to abandon his guns on our left. The battle raged with the greatest fury until about nine o'clock, the enemy being driven from four to five hundred yards. On the morning of the fourteenth September, we marched back to Boonsboro' Gap, a distance of some thirteen miles. This division, arriving between three and four o'clock P. M., found the troops of General D. H. Hill engaged with a large force of the enemy. By direction of the commanding General, I took up my position on the left of the pike. Soon orders came to change Fighting, as we were, at right angles with the over to the right, as our troops on that side were general line of battle, and General Ripley's brigiving way to superior numbers. On the march gade being the extreme left of General D. H. to the right, I met General Drayton's brigade Hill's forces, and continuing to hold their ground, coming out, saying the enemy had succeeded in caused the enemy to pour in a heavy fire upon passing to their rear. I at once inclined more to the rear and right flank of Colonel Law's brithe right, over a very rugged country, and suc-gade, rendering it necessary to move the division ceeded in getting in a position to receive the enemy. to the left and rear, into the woods near the St. I at once ordered the Texas brigade, Colonel W. T. Wofford commanding, and the Third brigade, Colonel E. M. Law commanding, to move forward with bayonets fixed, which they did with their usual gallantry, driving the enemy and regaining all of our lost ground, when night came on and further pursuit ceased. On this field fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant-Colonel O. K. McLemore, of the Fourth Alabama, a most efficient, gallant, and valuable officer. Mumma Church, which we continued to hold until ten o'clock A. M., when General McLaws arrived with his command, which was at once formed in line and moved forward, engaging the enemy. My command was marched to the rear, ammunition replenished, and returned at twelve M., taking position, by direction of the General commanding, in rear of the church, with orders to hold it. About four o'clock P. M., by order, the division moved to the right, near the centre, and remained there until the night of the eighteenth instant, when orders were received to recross the Potomac. Soon after night, orders were received to withdraw, and for this division to constitute the rear guard of the army. The march was accordingly taken up in the direction of Sharpsburg. Arriv- I would respectfully state that in the morning, ing on the heights across the Antietam River, about four o'clock A. M., I sent Major Blanton, near the town, about twelve M., on the fifteenth Aid-de-camp, to Major-General D. H. Hill, to instant, I was ordered to take position in line of know if he could furnish any troops to assist in battle on the right of the road leading to Boons- holding the left of our position. He replied that boro', but soon received orders to move to the he could not; and the Major-General commanding extreme left, near St. Mumma Church, on the is aware of the number of messages received from Hagerstown pike, remaining in this position, me asking for reenforcements, which I felt were under fire of the shells from the enemy, until near- absolutely required, after seeing the great strength ly sunset on the evening of the sixteenth. of the enemy in my front; and I am thoroughly of the opinion, had General McLaws arrived by half-past eight o'clock A. M., our victory on the left would have been as thorough, quick, and complete, as upon the plains of Manassas on the The enemy, having crossed higher up the Antietam, made an attack upon the left flank of our line of battle, the troops of this division being the only forces on our side engaged. We succeeded in checking and driving back the ene-thirtieth of August. my a short distance, when night came on, and During the engagement, Major Dingle, of the soon the firing ceased. During the engagement Hampton legion, gallantly bearing the colors of the brave and efficient Colonel P. F. Liddell, his regiment, Major Dale, First Texas, and Major Eleventh Mississippi, fell, mortally wounded. The Evans, Eleventh Mississippi, fell whilst leading officers and men of my command having been their brave comrades against ten times their numwithout food for three days, except a half ration bers. Colonel Stone, Lieutenant-Colonel Humof beef for one day, and green corn, General phreys, and Major Blair, Second Mississippi, LieuLawton, with two brigades, was directed to take tenant-Colonel Butler, Eleventh Mississippi, Capmy position, to enable my men to cook. tain Scruggs, Fourth Alabama, and Major Webb, On the morning of the seventeenth instant, | Sixth North Carolina, also received severe wounds. Conspicuous were Colonels Law and Wofford, ilton, Lieutenant Joseph Phillips, C. S. A., of commanding brigades. Lieutenant-Colonel Gary, General Magruder's staff, and Captain C. S. Mills, commanding Hampton legion; Lieutenant-Col- A. Q. M., First Texas regiment, rendered most onel P. A. Work, commanding First Texas; Lieutenant-Colonel B. F. Carter, commanding Fourth Texas; Captain Turner, commanding Fifth Texas, although not wounded, deserve great credit for their skilful management and coolness during the battle. It is but justice to Colonel J. C. G. Key, Fourth Texas, to state that he was present at the battles of Boonsboro' Gap and Sharpsburg, although unable to take command of his regiment, in consequence of a severe wound received at the battle of Gaines's farm, June twenty-seventh, 1862. During this engagement and that of the battle of Manassas, Riley's, Bachman's, and Garden's batteries were admirably handled by the battery commanders; Major B. W. Frobel, commanding, acting with great coolness and judgment upon the field. Too much cannot be said of the members of my staff. The chief, Major W. H. Sellers, had his horse shot whilst ably directing the Texas brigade, at the battle of Manassas, during the time of my being sent for by the General commanding to receive additional orders. He has proven himself competent to command a brigade under all circumstances. This distinguished officer, together with my two Aids, Major B. H. Blanton, and Lieutenant James Hamilton, had their horses shot during the battle of Sharpsburg, whilst most gallantly pushing forward the troops and transmitting orders. Major Blanton, Lieutenant Ham invaluable service, during the battle of Manassas, in bringing forward and placing in position additional brigades upon the long to be remembered heights around the Chinn house. Lieutenant D. L. Sublett, acting division ordnance officer, was prompt in bringing forward ammunition, and otherwise efficiently performed the duties pertaining to his department. All praise is due Dr. Darby, chief surgeon of the division, for his untiring efforts and skilful manner in caring for the numerous wounded. Dr. Roach, senior surgeon Texas brigade, and Dr. Hubbard, senior surgeon Law's brigade, Dr. Breckinridge, and all other surgeons and assistant surgeons of this command, have my heartfelt thanks for their able services. I would be wrong in not acknowledging the valuable services. rendered during the several engagements, in transmitting orders, of the following couriers of this command: M. M. Templeman, T. W. C. Lake, J. P. Mahony, James Malone, W. E. Duncan, J. A. Mann, W. J. Barbee, W. G. Jesse, J. J. Haggerty, and J. H. Drake. For additional particulars reference is made to the reports of brigade and regimental commanders, herewith respectfully submitted. Below will be found a report of casualties. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. B. HOOD, Brigadier-General, commanding Division. General Summary of Killed and Wounded in the Division commanded by Brigadier-General J. B. Hood. REPORT OF MAJOR-GENERAL D. R. JONES OF On the right, the demonstration resulted only SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS, AND OPER- in skirmishing. After the repulse of his efforts ATIONS IN MARYLAND. RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, December 8, 1862. Major G. M. Sorrell, Assistant Adjutant-General, Longstreet's Corps: MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following reports of the movements of my division, and of the part it performed in the engagements of the compaign in Northern Virginia and Maryland. Serious illness and absence from the field has delayed its appearance till now. at flanking, the enemy withdrew his artillery to the plateau on which he had at first appeared, and kept up a very heavy fire till dark, when, appearances indicating his retreat, I advanced my command and bivouacked beyond the gap unmolested by the enemy. The intense darkness and ignorance of the fords over the creek in my front prevented pursuit. My entire loss in this engagement was not more than twenty-five. The number of the enemy engaged amounted to over eleven thousand, under the command of General Ricketts, as appeared from northern papers. On the fifteenth August last, the division I commanded reached Gordonsville by rail, and camped near that place. Marching thence, and crossing Rapidan River on the eighteenth, on the My division, of three brigades, was alone entwenty-third, under order from General Long-gaged on our side. street, I advanced Drayton's brigade on the road Early on the morning of the twenty-ninth, I leading to Beverly Ford, on the Rappahannock took up the line of march in the direction of the River, in support of the Washington artillery, old battle-ground of Manassas, whence heavy firsending Anderson's brigade to the right, in direc-ing was heard: arriving on the ground about tion of railroad bridge, with orders to report to General Evans, supporting artillery in that direction. Fire was to be opened on the enemy's batteries simultaneously. Anderson's brigade, being under command of General Evans, will figure in his report. Drayton's brigade, supported by Toombs's brigade, commanded by Colonel Benning, of Seventeenth Georgia, took no part in the action which ensued, the river not being fordable in their front, and suffered but few casualties. On the twenty-fifth, I took position in front of Waterloo Bridge, sending forward a regiment of sharpshooters from Drayton's brigade, which, engaging the enemy across the river, suffered some slight loss. Crossing the Rappahannock River, I reached Thoroughfare Gap on the twenty-eighth, and, under orders from General Longstreet, sent forward the Ninth Georgia regiment, Anderson's brigade, in the gap, following it with my whole division, which I disposed of by placing Anderson's brigade on the hill to the left, with Drayton's brigade and two regiments of Toombs's brigade on the hill to the right, holding the other two regiments of Toombs's brigade in reserve. The Ninth Georgia drove out some few of the enemy's skirmishers, who fell back on their main body, then seen advancing from the woods, in front of the gap, and taking position on the plateau, parallel with the mountain range, and distant therefrom about half a mile. They appeared before my disposition of troops had been completed, and opened a very heavy fire of artillery on the road and on the mountain sides flanking it. Having no artillery to reply with, there being no position in which it could be placed, so far as I had been able to reconnoitre the ground, the enemy advanced his guns to a point but little over three hundred yards from the entrance to the gap, and made heavy demonstrations on the right and left, bringing him in contact with Anderson's brigade on the left, which repulsed him in most gallant style and with heavy loss. In this encounter, the First Georgia regulars greatly distinguished themselves. noon, my command was stationed on the extreme right of our whole line, and, during the balance of the day, was subjected to shelling, resulting in but few casualties. On the morning of the thirtieth, slight alterations were made in the disposi tion of my command, throwing it more forward and to the right. The battle, meanwhile, raging fiercely on the left, about five o'clock in the afternoon, my command was ordered forward; I brought it up with the exception of Drayton's brigade, which was detained by a report from Captain Rosser, of the cavalry, on the extreme right, that the enemy were attempting to flank our line in that direction. I took position near the "Chinn house," with the brigades of Toombs and Anderson, and anticipating what my orders would be, General Longstreet not being then near me, and seeing the great results within reach, I pushed them forward upon the enemy, designing, with Drayton's brigade, to turn and completely sweep the right of the field. The two brigades went in most gallantly, suffering severe loss. Again and again did I send for Drayton, who, after delaying till he heard the unfounded nature of the report on which he acted, hurried up at speed, and went in on the right, only a few moments before firing ceased, at dusk, too late to accomplish the results contemplated. General Toombs, released from the arrest under which he had been since the eighteenth instant, came upon the field shortly after his brigade went under fire, and accompanied it in action. He brought me orders from General Longstreet, directing the movements I had anticipated and was then making. Night came on, and my troops slept on the field. Both Anderson's and Toombs's brigades suf fered severely in the action. In the former brigade of five regiments, but one field officer was untouched. Colonel Wilson, of the Seventh Georgia, the gray-haired hero of many fights, fell, mortally wounded. Officers and men never behaved better than did mine on that day. On the morning of the thirty-first, I took up line of march in the direction of Sudley Ford, crossing at it, and marching to Chantilly the next day; whence, under orders from General Longstreet, I sent Toombs's and Anderson's brigades to the support of General Jackson, who was engaged with the enemy at Ox Hill. These brigades took up line of battle on the right of the turnpike, and slowly advanced into the woods bordering it, supposed to contain the enemy. Night coming on and no enemy being visible, my troops were withdrawn to the road for bivouac. Captain Thurston, ordnance officer of my division, was here captured while carrying my orders, riding into the enemy's lines by mistake. My command took possession of the heights in front of and to the right of the town, being the extreme right of our whole line. I ordered General Toombs to defend the bridge over the Antietam Creek in front of me, with the Second and Twentieth Georgia regiments, reenforced by a half company from Jenkins's brigade and the Fiftieth Georgia regiment, of Drayton's brigade. These reënforcements took but small part in what ensued, from the nature of their position. The enemy appeared on the opposite side of the creek, and heavy artillery firing was kept up during the day, continuing also the sixteenth, with but little damage to my command. Remaining in position at Ox Hill during the second, I marched, on the third, for Leesburg by Daylight of the seventeenth of September gave the Dranesville road, crossing Goose Creek, and the signal for a terrific cannonade. The battle reaching that place on the evening of the fourth. raged with intensity on the left and centre; but On the morning of sixth September, I crossed the heavy masses in my front, repulsed again and my division into Maryland, now increased to six again in their attempts to force the passage of brigades, by the addition of Kemper's brigade, the bridge by the two regiments before named, Pickett's brigade, commanded by Brigadier-Gen- comprising four hundred and three men, assisted eral Garnett, and Jenkins's brigade, commanded by artillery I had placed in position on the by Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, marched through heights, were unable to effect a crossing, and Buckeystown, and camped on the banks of the manœuvred as if about to cross below, at some of Monocacy, marching next day to the Monocacy the numerous fords. My command had been Junction, and going into camp near Frederick further reduced on the right, by detaching GarCity. On the morning of the tenth, I marched through Boonsboro', Funkstown, and Hagerstown, camping near the latter place on the Williamsport road, on the twelfth. On the fourteenth, I marched, on the Frederick road, in the direction of that city, hearing heavy firing, leaving Toombs's brigade in command of Hagerstown, and Eleventh Georgia regiment, of Anderson's brigade, in charge of wagon train. Halting just beyond Boonsboro', Drayton's and Anderson's brigades were temporarily detached from my command, and ordered to report to General D. H. Hill. With my three other brigades present, I was ordered, by General Longstreet, to march to a pass about a mile to the right of the main road, through which the enemy was said to be flanking our army. nett's brigade to the front of the town, leaving me, for the defence of the right, with only Toombs's two regiments, and Kemper's, Drayton's, and Walker's brigades. When it is known that on that morning my entire command of six brigades comprised only two thousand four hundred and thirty men, the enormous disparity of force with which I contended can be seen. About this time the two regiments of Toombs's brigade, Seventeenth and Fifteenth Georgia, which had been left behind, accompanied by five companies of the Eleventh Georgia regiment, Anderson's brigade, came upon the field, and were at once placed at General Toombs's disposal, to aid in the defence of the bridge, my force before having been too weak to aid him with a single man. Before, however, they could be made available for that purpose, the gallant Second and Twentieth, having repulsed five separate assaults, and exhausted their last round of ammu Reaching the pass, and finding the report incorrect, I was directed to bring my brigades as rapidly as possible back to the main road and to the mountain top, and, under orders from Gen-nition, fell back, leaving the bridge to the enemy. eral Longstreet, placed Kemper and Garnett, supported by Jenkins's brigade, in position on the ridge to the left of the road and above it. While taking position, my troops were exposed to severe shelling, and shortly afterward, to a heavy infantry attack in overwhelming numbers. Despite the odds, they held their ground until dark, when, the brigades on my left giving way, they were withdrawn in comparatively good order to the foot of the mountain. The enemy did not pursue his advantage, and our troops were marched to Sharpsburg, which we reached on the morning of the fifteenth. On this march Anderson's brigade was assigned to General Hood, to act as a rear guard, and General Toombs, with two regiments of his brigade, joined me, the balance of his brigade having been sent to Williamsport with wagons. Meanwhile, General A. P. Hill had come up on my right, and was effecting a junction with my line, several of his batteries already in position, assisting mine in firing on the enemy, now swarming over the bridge. Undeterred, except momentarily, by this fire, the enemy advanced, in enormous masses, to the assault of the heights. Sweeping up to the crest, they were mowed down by Brown's battery, the heroic commander of which had been wounded but a few moments before. They overcame the tough resistance offered by the feeble forces opposed to them, and gained the heights, capturing McIntosh's battery, of General Hill's command. Kemper and Drayton were driven back through the town; the Fifteenth South Carolina, Colonel De Sausure, fell back very slowly and in order, forming the nucleus on which the brigade rallied. Jenkins's brigade held |