and a half days. It was terrible odds, but we whipped them, as their generals acknowledged. When has our Western army ever been beaten ? The loss of our regiment, in killed, wounded and missing, (including five prisoners,) will reach eighty to ninety. Our total loss killed, wounded and prisoners, will not fall much, if any, short of one thousand two hundred. The rebels acknowledge a loss of wounded equal to ours, and of killed of three to two. We estimate their total loss at near two thousand.

How near we came to accomplishing our object future reports will show. But for the fog and unexpected and unavoidable delay in building the bridges, which gave the enemy twenty-four hours more to concentrate his forces in his strong positions, we would almost certainly have succeeded. In which case the battle would have been, in my opinion, far more decisive than if we had crossed at the places first selected. As it was, we came very near success.

Failing in accomplishing the main object, we remained in order of battle two days - long enough to decide that the enemy would not come out of his strongholds to fight us with infantry-after which we recrossed to this side of the river unmolested, without the loss of men or property.

While we were yet on the hill our LieutenantColonel was wounded, and after rallying the regiment in the field, was compelled to leave us. But the Colonel commanding the brigade which we charged sent word to him that his men fought nobly. So much for what the rebels think and say of the Thirty-seventh Illinois. Gen. Herron said we did the best fighting of any regiment on the field. All did most nobly. The rebels lost General Stein and several Colonels, etc., killed. Our regiment captured one standard of rebel colors, and brought off the standard of the Twen-plished the feat of thus recrossing the river in the tieth Wisconsin, left on the field.

As the day broke, our long lines of troops were seen marching to their different positions as if going on parade-not the least demoralization or disorganization existed.

To the brave officers and soldiers who accom

face of the enemy, I owe everything.

For the failure in the attack I am responsible, as the extreme gallantry, courage, and endurance shown by them was never exceeded, and would have carried the points had it been possible.

To the families and friends of the dead I can only offer my heartfelt sympathies, but for the wounded I can offer my earnest prayers for their comfortable and final recovery.

The fact that I decided to move from Warrenton on to this line rather against the opinion of the President, Secretary of War, and yourself, and that you left the whole movement in my hands, without giving me orders, makes me the

Major-General H. W. Halleck, General-in-Chief,
United States Army, Washington:
GENERAL: I have the honor to offer the follow-only one responsible.
ing reasons for moving the army of the Potomac
across the Rappahannock, sooner than was anti-
cipated by the President, Secretary of War, or
yourself, and for crossing at a point different
from the one indicated to you at our last meeting
at the President's.

During my preparations for crossing at the place I had first selected, I discovered that the enemy had thrown a large portion of his force down the river and elsewhere, thus weakening his defences in front, and also thought I discovered that he did not anticipate the crossing of our whole force at Fredericksburgh, and I hoped by rapidly throwing the whole command over at that place to separate, by a vigorous attack, the forces of the enemy on the river below from the forces behind and on the crest in the rear of the town, in which case we could fight him with great advantage in our favor.

To do this we had to gain a height on the extreme right of the crest, which height commanded a new road lately made by the enemy for purposes of more rapid communication along his lines, which point gained, his position along the crest would have been scarcely tenable, and he could have been driven from them easily by an attack on his front in connection with a movement in the rear of the crest.

I will visit you very soon, and give you more definite information, and finally will send you my detailed report, in which a special acknowledgment will be made of the services of the different grand division corps, and my general and staff department of the army of the Potomac, to whom I am so much indebted for their support and hearty cooperation.

I will add here that the movement was made earlier than you expected, and after the President, Secretary, and yourself requested me not to be in haste, for the reason that we were supplied much sooner by the different staff departments than was anticipated when I last saw you.

Our killed amounts to one thousand one hundred and fifty-two, our wounded to about nine thousand, and our prisoners to about seven hundred, which last have been paroled and exchanged for about the same number taken by us.

The wounded were all removed to this side of the river, and are being well cared for, and the dead were all buried under a flag of truce.

The surgeons report a much larger proportion of slight wounds than usual, one thousand six hundred and thirty-two only being treated in hospitals.

I am glad to represent the army at the present time in good condition.

It is with hesitation I introduce into an official paper, where facts alone should be set forth, any expression of personal feeling; but I should be doing an injustice to the brigade if, in furnishing this report, I did not confess that the fortitude I have the honor to report, through you, to the and noble equanimity with which the hardships Brigadier-General commanding the division, the of that night were borne were such as to affect part taken by my brigade in the action of Satur-me deeply. day, the thirteenth inst.

On the left appeared the One Hundred and Sixteenth Pennsylvania volunteers. A new regiment, it had but very recently joined the brigade; but in its conduct, from Bolivar Heights, where it was first associated with the brigade, to the present moment, when its gallantry is placed on record, it has proved itself worthy of the cause into which it threw itself with so much enthusiasm.

Thus formed, under the unabating tempest and deluge of shot and shell, the Irish brigade advanced against the rifle-pits, the breastworks, and batteries of the enemy. I myself ordered the advance, encouraged the line and urged it on. Owing, however, to an ulcer in the knee-joint, which I had concealed and borne up against for days, I was compelled, with a view of being of any further service to the brigade that day, to return over the muddy slope and ploughed field to get to my horse, which had been left in charge of an orderly, along with the other horses of the brigade, Brig.-Gen. Hancock having advised us all to dismount and act on foot during the assault.

Emerging from the street having nothing whatever to protect it--the brigade encountered the full force and fury of the enemy's fire, and, unable to resist or reply to it, had to push on to the mill-race, which may be described as the first of the hostile defences. Crossing this mill-race On my way to where the horse was standing, I by means of a single bridge, the brigade, diverg-et Capt. Hart, of the Eighty-eighth, the Acting to the right, had to deploy into line of battle. ing Assistant Adjutant-General of the brigade, This movement necessarily took some time to moving up from the left to the right of the right execute. The Sixty-ninth, under Col. Nugent, of the line, with a bright calmness and an intellibeing on the right, had to stand its ground until gent courage, steadying the men for the attack. the rest of the brigade came up and formed. myself, accompanied by Lieut. Emmet, of my staff, crossed the mill-race on foot from the head of the street through which the column had debouched. Trudging up the ploughed field assistance of two wounded soldiers, I reached the well as my lameness would permit me, to the muddy crest along which the brigade was to form in line of battle, I reached the fence on which the right of the Sixty-ninth rested.

I

Passing then through crowds of slain and wounded, all befouled with blood and the mud in which they had been struck down, and recrossing the mill-race, which I did with the as

head of the street, from which, as I have already stated, the brigade debouched, and there took my horse. Having mounted, I started with my orderly to rejoin the brigade on the right, and with that purpose took the street over and beyond which the two companies of the Sixty-ninth, under Captain James Saunders, one of the sturdiest and bravest of our officers, had been thrown out as skirmishers.

I had not proceeded many paces up this street before I met the remnant of the Sixty-third, carrying the regimental colors, coming toward me, headed by Capt. Gleason, than whom the brigade cannot boast of a more resolute and stalwart soldier. With these few survivors of the Sixtythird were some of the Sixty-ninth.

Here I remained in conversation for a few minutes with Col. Nugent. Lieut. Miller, of Brig.Gen. Hancock's staff, dashing up on horseback during the conversation, and furnishing me with additional instructions, in obedience to which I directed Col. Nugent to throw out two companies of his regiment as skirmishers on the right flank. This order was being carried out, when the other regiments of the brigade, coming up with a brisk step, and deploying in line of battle, drew down upon themselves a terrific fire. Nevertheless the line was beautifully and rapidly formed, and boldly advanced, Colonel Nugent leading on the Fearing that the enemy might assume the ofright, Col. Patrick Kelly, commanding the Eighty- fensive and break through our lines along the eighth, being next in line, both displaying a cour-upper part of the city, I halted this handful of ageous soldiership which I have no words, even with all my partiality for them, adequately to describe.

Major Joseph O'Neill, commanding the Sixtythird, was as true that day as he has ever been. His command took position on the left of the centre of the line. The centre was assigned to the Twenty-eighth Massachusetts volunteers, commanded by Col. Byrne, this regiment having in its possession the only green flag under which the Irish brigade had the privilege that day to advance against the enemy.

VOL. VI.-Doc. 6

the brigade on the second street parallel to the mill race. Here I remained, under the personal orders of Brig.-Gen. Hancock, who happened to ride up and communicate with me at the moment, gathering in the fragments of the brigade, until, finally, I was ordered by him to fall back and concentrate on the street from which we had taken up our march for the battle-field.

In this street the hospitals of the brigade had been established, and to it, consequently, all the officers and men of the brigade who were enabled to do so instinctively returned. But while the

ject, having reported to him and explained the reasons of my crossing the river, was to procure rations and ammunition for my men. The rations had been flung away with the haversacks and blankets as the brigade advanced to the assault. The ammunition had been exhausted on the field. Having procured a sufficient quantity of both, and seen my wounded and disabled men as comfortably encamped as possible, I re-crossed the Rappahannock, and, between eleven and twelve o'clock that night, reported myself to the brigadier-general commanding the division.

fragments of the brigade were here and thus concentrating, I had every reason to become convinced that the hospitals were dangerously, if not fatally, exposed. I therefore sent two of my aids -Capt. Hart and Lieut. Blake-to Brig.-General Hancock, to request of him that he would be so good as to authorize me to take all that was left of my command across the river, the request for such authorization being based on the fact that, while there were not over three hundred of the brigade, either maimed or serviceable, who had reported themselves up to that time, the badly disabled were so numerous as to require the as- On the way, however, having crossed the upsistance of all those who were unhurt. Even per pontoon-bridge, I had to pass the houses that while I was waiting for Captain Hart and Lieut. had been taken for hospitals for our brigade that Blake to return, several discharges of shell and morning, and in them found several officers and Minié balls broke over and through the hospitals men who had been brought in from the field durof the Sixty-ninth, the Sixty-third, the Eighty-ing the short time I was on the other side of the eighth, and the buildings and fences which immediately adjoined them.

river. Most of them were in great pain; two or three of them—the brave Lieut. Callaghan, of the Sixty-ninth, was one of them-were in great agony, not having had any thing to sustain or soothe them since they received their wounds. Lieut. Emmet, who accompanied me, instantly returned to the camp where I had left the wounded, to bring over surgical and medical assistance to the sufferers. Dr. Powell, of the Eighty-eighth, promptly obeyed the order conveyed by the gal

Capt. Hart and Lieut. Blake, on their return, having given me to understand that I had a conditional authorization from Brig.-Gen. Hancock to transfer the brigade to the north bank of the Rappahannock, under the circumstances just mentioned, I assumed the responsibility of doing So. I did so under the impression of my being partially or conditionally authorized to do so. But this impression, a few hours later, I discov-lant young lieutenant, and by his skill and devoered to be erroneous. I should not, however, have brought over my command from Fredericksburgh, nor so much as have asked permission to that effect, but for the terrible accidents to which the wounded of my brigade, lying bleeding and helpless there in those menaced hospitals, were exposed.

That I myself did not desire to retire beyond the range of the rifle-pits and batteries of the enemy; that I was solely actuated at the time in doing what I did by an affectionate and intense concern for my wounded officers and men-it will suffice for me to refer to Brig.-Gen. Butterfield, who, on questioning me regarding the brigade, the afternoon of the assault, at the headquarters of General Wilcox, and in presence of several officers, was told by me that I feared the Irish brigade was no more; that out of one thousand two hundred men I had led to the field that morning little more than two hundred and fifty had, up to that time, reported to me under arms, but that, for my own part, I should stay on the ground, and, were it my fate to have no command, would be happy to act as his aid, or on the staff of any general to whom my services might in the slightest way be likely to prove useful.

Having placed our wounded in the camp we left the night before, I proceeded to General Sumner's quarters to report my action to him.

He was not there; none of his staff were there; but Gen. Burnside coming in half an hour or so after I had arrived, I communicated to him what I have here stated. He appeared not the least dissatisfied, and cordially inquired about the brigade. Shortly after, Gen. Sumner entering with his staff, I repeated to him all I had said to Gen. Burnside, adding, however, that my principal ob

tion brought comparative ease and happiness to many a sufferer in those sad hospitals that night.

The next day, a little after sunrise, every officer and man of the brigade able again to take the field, by order of Brig.-Gen. Hancock, re-crossed to Fredericksburgh, and took up the same posi tion on the street nearest the river, which we had occupied previous to the advance, prepared and eager, notwithstanding their exhausted numbers and condition, to support the Ninth corps in the renewal of the assault of the previous day, that renewal having been determined on by the General-in-Chief. Of the one thousand two hundred I had led into action the day before, two hundred and eighty only appeared on that ground that morning. This remnant of the Irish brigade-unnerved and undeterred, still full of heart, still wearing the evergreen, inspired by a glowing sense of duty, sorrowful for their comrades, but emboldened and elated by the thought that they had fallen with the proud bravery they did this noble little remnant awaited the order that was once more to precipitate them against the batteries of the enemy.

I close this report by acknowledging the gal lantry, the ability, the steadiness and devotion of the officers of the several regiments constituting the brigade, and, in making this acknowledgment, have sincerely to deplore the loss, in the first place, of Major William Horgan, of the Eightyeighth New-York volunteers, than whom a truer man or better and braver soldier I have never known.

Col. Robert Nugent, commanding the Sixtyninth New-York volunteers, acted with signal bravery, leading, as he did, the column into the field with a brilliancy of bearing worthy of the

historic reputation attached in Europe to the name he bears. His demeanor and the high spirit he displayed, his words and looks, all were such as could not fail to encourage and incite his men on that day.

such a command, combining, as he does, the prac tical experience and matured capacity of a soldier of some years' standing with the natural qualities which enable one to figure prominently and successfully in military life. I have not a word but one of unqualified commendation to bestow on this well-regulated and admirably disciplined regiment. Major Carraher, one of the best of its excellent officers, was wounded in the head.

Major James Cavanagh, also of the Sixty-ninth, most ably and daringly supporting his Colonel, fell severely wounded, but I trust and pray not fatally; for never was there a truer heart, never was there a bolder arm, never was there a brighter or sounder brain. It is impossible, however, The chaplains and surgeons of the brigade for me to enumerate, in the terms of affectionate could not be excelled in their devotion to the appreciation I desire, and which they deserve, wounded. Their services were unremittingly and the losses which the brigade has incurred. Here-nost zealously rendered. Dr. Francis Reynolds, after, should an opportunity be afforded me, I Dr. Pascal Smith, Dr. Lawrence Reynolds, with shall write and speak of such men as Lieutenants their assistant-surgeons, behaved nobly. Buckley and Birmingham men who on that day, at Fredericksburgh, most worthily supplied the place of the officers who fell on the battlefields before Richmond, and in the great repulse of the rebels at Antietam.

-

Looking along the ranks of the Eighty-eighth New-York volunteers, as I did with a mournful pride, the day after the assault, I missed, besides Major William Horgan, Lieut. Thomas Murphy, Adjutant John R. Young, and Lieut. McCarthy; and the only consolation to me in the contemplation of these losses arises from the fact that such men as Col. Patrick Kelly, Lieut.-Col. Quinlan, Captain Patrick K. Horgan, Captain John Smith, Capt. Burke, Capt. Nagle, and other intelligent and brave officers like them are still to the good work.

In the Sixty-third New-York volunteers I have lost, for some time at all events, the efficient services of Major Joseph O'Neill-services that were ever most promptly and heartily rendered whereever and whenever his military obligations or patriotism required them. Had I time it would be, indeed, a pleasing duty for me to speak, in connection with the Sixty-third, of such officers as Captains Gleason, Condon, Moore, and Lieut. James R. Brady, and others, whom it would be difficult for me now to mention without having the leisure to speak of them with adequate commendation.

The first-named officer again vindicated the brilliant reputation he brought with him from the Crimea, and his conduct is all the more deserving of eulogy and gratitude that a day or two before the battle he had obtained leave of absence for a fortnight, but much to his inconvenience, remained with the brigade, rather than be absent from his post at such a time.

A correct return of the killed, wounded, and missing of the brigade has been forwarded to the headquarters of the division. For individual instances of courage and good conduct, on the day in question, and the more minute incidents and details of the assault, so far as the brigade took part in it, I respectfully refer you to the reports of the colonels and other regimental command

ants.

I most cordially recommend to the favorable notice of the General commanding the division every member of my staff. Capt. Wm. G. Hart, of the Eighty-eighth, was as brave and active under the heaviest fire as he is faithful, diligent, and indefatigable in the discharge of his duties as Acting Assistant Adjutant-General of the brigade, Lieutenant John Blake, of the same regiment, displayed courage and soldiership of the highest order, but in doing so only continued to display those qualities which have brilliantly characterized his conduct in nine desperate engagements. Lieut Richard Emmet, who, in the earliest dawn of manhood, hardly yet emerged from boyhood, stood for the first time on the field of battle, astonished all who witnessed his artless braveryfearlessly and brightly, with sunshine in his heart, and joyousness in his every glance, wearing unconsciously throughout the storm, laurels which many an older brow might well be proud to win. In connection with the staff, I should be doing a serious injustice to an admirable officer, were I to omit the name of Capt. Malachi The Twenty-eighth Massachusetts volunteers Martin, the able and indefatigable Quartermaster was raised for the Irish Brigade, but, owing to of the brigade, who, on different occasions, acsome mistake, was kept aloof from it until, by a companied me to the field, and under fire, in the most fortunate vicissitude of the war, it was re- midst of the worst perils of the fight, rendered stored to us three or four weeks ago. It is a sub-me essential service in the most generous and stantial and splendid accession to the brigade. It has sinew, heart and soul. It is commanded by an officer (Col. R. Byrne) than whom it would be difficult to find one of superior aptitude for

Within the last three months two regiments were incorporated in the brigade. Pennsylvania contributed the One Hundred and Sixteenth; Massachusetts contributed the Twenty-eighth. The fact that Col. Heenan, Lieut.-Col. Mulholland and Major Bardwell, of the first named regiment, were badly wounded, speaks fully for the intrepidity and mettle of the men of which it is composed. Where there are such officers there must be staunch men.

gallant style.

I have the honor to be, very truly, your obedient servant, THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER,

Brigadier-General Commanding the Irish Brigade.