Today in History:

562 Series I Volume XXV-I Serial 39 - Chancellorsville Part I

Page 562 N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. Chapter XXXVII.

It is no disparagement to the other regiments the corps to say that the steadiness and valor of the Sixth Maine, Fifth Wisconsin, Seventh Massachusetts, and the Vermont Brigade could not be excelled.

The skill and personal gallantry of Brigadier-Generals Bartlett, Browne, Thirty-sixth New York, and H. W. Brown, Third New Jersey, displayed in the management of their respective brigades, deserve the special notice of the commanding general.

Colonel Browne, of the Thirty-sixth New York, I regret to say, was severely wounded in the action of Sunday afternoon, and the command of the brigade devolved upon Colonel H. L. Eustis, who is specially mentioned by his division commander for gallant service.

Colonel Brown, of the New Jersey Brigade, was also wounded, and the command of the brigade passed to Colonel Buck, Second New Jersey. He too, fell, wounded, and the command devolved on Colonel Penrose, Fifteenth New Jersey. Both these officers performed their duties with admirable coolness.

I desire also to call the special attention of the commanding general to the officers named in connection with the assault on the heights of Fredericksburg.

For a further mention of officers who deserve his notice, I respectfully refer to the reports of division commanders, herewith transmitted.

To the following-named officers of my staff I am indebted for prompt and efficient assistance rendered at all times during the operations I have reported, and often under circumstances of exceeding danger and confusion; Lieutenant Colonel M. T. McMahon, assistant adjutant-general and chief of staff; Colonel C. H. Tompkins, chief of artillery; Lieutenant Colonel J. Ford Kent, inspector-general, slightly wounded in the action of Sunday morning; Major C. A. Whittier, aide-de-camp; Major T. W. Hyde, provost-marshal and acting aide-de-camp; Major H. H. Janeway, acting aide-de-camp; Capts. R. F. Halsted and H. C. Pratt, aides-de-camp; Lieutenant J. N. Andrews, commissary of musters and acting aide-de-camp, and Lieutenant H. W. Farrar, acting aide-de-camp, taken prisoner while carrying an important order.

The management of the artillery, under Colonel Tompkins, was singularly effective.

The difficult details of the commissary and quartermaster's department were excellently conducted by Lieutenant Colonel C. W. Tolles, chief quartermaster, and Captain J. K. Scofield, chief commissary. Those officers are entitled to much credit.

I notice with particular approbation the arrangements made for the care and prompt removal of the wounded by Surg. Charles O'Leary, medical director of the corps, and Surg. Charles F. Crehore, medical inspector. These arrangements were carried into effect by Captain W. H. Robinson, chief of ambulance corps.

I respectfully request that the regiment and batteries of the corps be permitted to inscribe "Fredericksburg" and "Salem Heights" on their colors. It is an honor they have bravely earned.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN SEDGWICK,

Major-General, Commanding Sixth Army Corps.

Brigadier General S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac.


Page 562 N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. Chapter XXXVII.