Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 6.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[589] and I shall soon have the honor of submitting my own; but you will allow me to state a few facts here, and to ask satisfaction for my brigade.

It has become known by this time, I hope, that the First division, which gave way on the second of May, (because assailed in front, in rear, and in flank,) was that of General Devens, of which Colonel Gilsa's brigade fired a round per man, while General McLean's brigade did not fire at all; that it was the second line of your division which, although run down by the First division, changed front from south to west in less than two minutes time; that it was the brigade battery, commanded by Captain Dilger, on the left, which checked the heavy column of the enemy pouring into us from the front, and from both flanks; and that the first line of your division, in connection with Colonel Buschbeck's brigade of General Steinwehr's division, formed behind two of my regiments — the Eighty--second Illinois, Colonel Hecker, and the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh New-York, Colonel Brown--and occupied the rifle-pits, the Second brigade of the Second division having been detached from the corps at this critical moment by command of Major-General Hooker.

Your two brigades, and those of Colonel Buschbeck, together comprising not quite four thousand muskets, alone received the entire shock of the battle, and held the enemy in check for at least an hour. Colonel Gilsa's and General McLean's brigades could not be re-formed. Captain Chas. W. Dietrich, my Assistant Adjutant-General, seized the colors of one of the regiments of Gen. McLean, and endeavored in vain to rally the battalion.

The three brigades above named, although both their flanks were turned, stood their ground until a sufficient time had elapsed for the corps behind them to come to their assistance, and take a position in their rear.

Your command did every thing that could have been expected under the circumstances. For the surprise on the flanks and the rear, in broad daylight, by a force outnumbering us four to one, the responsibility falls not on the Third division, holding the centre, but upon the First division, which held the right wing, and upon those whose duty it was to anticipate such a contingency, and to prepare for it.

My report will prove to demonstration that my brigade and the Third division did all that was possible to avert the catastrophe which ensued. The only reconnoissances undertaken were made by my brigade, and the hostile movements were reported by me full two hours before the opening of the engagement.

General, I am an old soldier. Up to this hour I have been proud of commanding the brave men of this brigade; but I am convinced that if the infamous lies uttered about us are not retracted, and satisfaction given, their good — will and soldierly spirit will be broken, and I shall no longer see myself at the head of the same brave men whom I have heretofore had the honor to lead.

In the name of the good cause of the country, therefore, I demand satisfaction. If our superior officers are not in possession of all the facts, I ask for an inquiry; if they are, I demand that those who have maligned the division be excluded from our lines by a general order, and the names of the authors of the calumny made known to me and my brigade, to enable us to call them to account for their false representations.

Very respectfully,

Colonel: Inasmuch as you are the power appointed to watch over the interests of the Government at home, and to sustain the army in the field, both by sending men forward, and by protecting those in the same from the slanders of traitors and the lying tongues of misnamed friends, I take the liberty of sending you a truthful account of the doings of the One Hundred and Fifty-third regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, during the unsuccessful reconnoissance across the Rappahanock.

It, with the other regiments of the Eleventh corps, broke camp on Monday, April twenty-seventh, and marched to the neighborhood of Hartwood Church. On Tuesday morning at four o'clock, after a short night's rest, moved on to Kelly's Ford, arriving there at noon. On this second day of the march, which you, as an old soldier, well know is always the most trying, the regiment did well, and the stragglers from it formed a very small number of those brought up in the rear by the provost-guard. On the same evening at eleven o'clock, camp was broken, and in silence, our corps was the first to cross the pontoons, and penetrate the darkness and swamps of the southern side of the Rappahannock, where but a few hours' rest were given, when we moved on, proceeding, during Wednesday, to the Rapidan River, near Germania Mills. Again, in the night, between one and four, amidst a heavy rain, did the corps cross upon a narrow and dangerous bridge, momentarily expecting an attack, having, during the day, had our rear harassed by some of the rebel artillery. Thursday, we advanced alone the plank-road to its junction with the turnpike at Peck's farm, about two miles west of Chancellorsville. During Thursday night full rest was given, and on Friday, General Howard made the disposition of our corps in three lines of battle. To the First brigade, First division, Colonel L. Gilsa commanding, was given the extreme right, and was posted as follows: On the left, in line of battle behind some brushheaps on the far side of the turnpike road, the Forty-first New-York volunteers in line of battle. Then the Forty-fifth New-York volunteers in the same line, and supporting a section of artillery commanding the road. From the cannon and the