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HEADQUARTERS BATTALION RESERVE
ARTILLERY,
Camp near Winchester, Va., October 11, 1862
Maj. G. MOXLEY SORREL,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Right Wing.
MAJOR: I have the honor to render the following report of the part
taken by the battalion of artillery under my orders in the
battle of Sharpsburg:
The battalion
crossed the Antietam about 8 a.m. September 15, and, in
obedience to orders from General Longstreet, with the
exception of Eubank's battery, took position on the bluffs to
the left of the pike, facing the Antietam. Eubank's battery,
in compliance with a written order of General Longstreet,
held by the adjutant-general of Toombs' brigade, was sent to
report to General Toombs, at the lower bridge, and remained
with his brigade until the army recrossed the Potomac.
Nothing of interest occurred during the morning.
About 1 p.m. the
infantry of the enemy made its appearance across the creek,
and was fired on by my long-range guns, causing them to move
back. The enemy soon brought up several long-range batteries,
with which they opened on our guns whenever they fired on
their infantry. Nothing resulted from this firing except to
make their infantry change position. The guns engaged were
two rifled pieces of Parker's battery, two of Rhett's
battery, under Lieutenant [William] Elliott, and one of
Jordan's battery, under Lieutenant [C. A.] Bower. They were
exposed to a hot fire; several men slightly wounded and
several horses disabled. During the night the battalion,
excepting Moody's battery, shifted farther to the left of our
line, taking a sheltered position on the Sharpsburg and
Hagerstown pike, in front of a church. Remained during the
day, the enemy making no offensive demonstration until near
sundown. Since early in the morning they appeared engaged in
massing their troops opposite our left, and toward evening
endeavored to get into position to turn our left, bringing on
quite a severe skirmish. Two howitzers of Rhett's battery
took part in the skirmish, but it soon became too dark to
continue the firing. It was now evident that the enemy would
attack us in force on our left at daylight, compelling us to
change our hue and give him an opportunity to use his
long-range batteries across the Antietam, enfilading our new
position.
The action
commenced about 3 a.m. on the morning of the 17th, between
the skirmishers. Woolfolk's, Parker's, and Rhett's batteries
were placed in position in front of the church, on the right
of the Sharpsburg and Hagerstown pike, and opened on the
enemy at daylight. These batteries were compelled to fire
over our infantry, but fired with effect. A continuous fire
was kept up until about 8.15 a.m., when the enemy gave way
and our firing ceased as our infantry followed in pursuit.
The batteries above mentioned while engaged were exposed to
an enfilade fire of about twenty rifle guns from across the
Antietam, two batteries in their front, and the fire of the
infantry of the enemy, most of the time about 500 yards
distant. They suffered very heavily and had exhausted most of
their ammunition.
I should have
mentioned that two guns of Jordan's battery, under Lieutenant
Bower, were sent to an advance position under Capt. John S.
Taylor, but had to retire, owing to their exposed position
and the fire of several batteries against them. About this
time I ordered Rhett's battery to the rear for ammunition,
and Parker's and Woolfolk's batteries to move slightly to the
rear to refit, many horses and men being killed. They could
only move the pieces by leaving portions of the caissons, so
many of the horses had been disabled.
About this time, 9
a.m., Moody's battery, which had been engaged near the center
of our line, arrived and reported, and I placed it in
position on the ground previously occupied by Parker's
battery. General Hood's division, which followed the enemy
when he gave way, not being supported, was compelled to fall
back before their overwhelming numbers. The enemy having
gained his rear, and occupying a position almost between his
retiring troops and Moody's battery, his troops fell back so
sullenly, and were so near to the enemy, that it was
impossible to use the battery. This being the case, I
advanced two guns of Moody's battery some 300 yards into a
plowed field, where I could use them. They remained in this
position and did good service for about fifteen minutes,
under Captain Moody and Lieutenant [John B.] Gorey. This
section was exposed to a most galling infantry fire, and
retained its position until the infantry on its right and
left retired, when I ordered it to the rear. The gallant
Lieutenant Gorey was killed, being shot in the head by a
Minie-ball as he was sighting his piece for its last
discharge. The section with which he was serving was not his
own, but, seeing it was going to an exposed position, he
asked permission to accompany it. A more gallant officer was
not in our service.
Our troops having
to fall back rapidly, my guns were, by direction of Maj. Gen.
D. H. Hill, retired to the ridge of hills across the
Sharpsburg and Hagerstown turnpike, and between the church
and Sharpsburg, and fired for a short time. General McLaws'
division arriving at this time, and, going into action, I
moved the battalion about a mile from the field, to refit. It
was now about 10 a.m.
About 3 p.m., the
batteries having refitted and replenished with ammunition, I
again moved to the from with twelve guns, all that could be
manned, and received orders from one of General Longstreet's
aides to take position in front of the village of Sharpsburg,
to the right and left of the turnpike, relieving Colonel
Walton, of the Washington Artillery, of New Orleans. Four of
Moody's guns were placed on the right of the village; two of
Parker's and two of Jordan's were placed at the left; Rhett's
two pieces were placed on a ridge to the left of the village,
on the Sharpsburg and Hagerstown pike. These guns, in their
respective positions, did good service. Those in front of the
village were exposed to a heavy fire of artillery and
infantry, the sharpshooters of the enemy being within 200
yards of them during the entire evening. The guns of Moody's
battery, in connection with Squires' battery, of the
Washington Artillery, of New Orleans, repelled some six or
eight attempts of the infantry of the enemy to take our
position. At one time their infantry was within 150 yards of
our batteries, when, by a charge of our supporting infantry,
they were driven back. Two guns of Moody's battery, with
Garnett's brigade, drove the enemy from the ridge to the left
of the village after they had taken the ridge from our
troops. The guns retained their position in front of the
village till our troops were driven into the village on the
right, when, by direction of General Garnett, they withdrew.
The enemy were afterward repulsed from the village, and the
hill for a short time was re-occupied by Capt. Thomas [H.]
Carter's battery. It was now near dark, and the hill was held
but by a few infantry.
Captain Eubank's
battery not being with me, I am not prepared to speak from
personal observation of his action, but General Toombs
informed me that he and his company did good and gallant
service.
The officers and
men of my battalion behaved with the utmost gallantry. During
the entire time engaged they were exposed to a heavy fire
from the enemy, as is shown by the list of casualties
inclosed; but of about 300 men who went into action, 86
casualties occurred and 60 horses were disabled.
In the morning, the
battalion was engaged during the severe fight before our
re-enforcements came up on the left, and was the only
artillery engaged with General Hood's division. In the
evening, it was engaged in front of the village and on the
right, where the fight was heaviest. I regret to state that
Captain Woolfolk's battery lost a gun on the field. It was on
the left in the morning, when our lines gave way before the
overwhelming numbers of the enemy. The 4 horses, 2 drivers,
and 4 cannoneers at the piece were disabled, and it was with
difficulty that the battery could be moved. I do not attach
any blame to the captain. The piece could not be recovered,
owing to the proximity of the enemy, though several attempts
were made.
Capt. John S.
Taylor, Confederate States Artillery, temporarily attached to
my staff, was killed in the morning while gallantly
discharging his duties. He was entirely fearless, and always
sought the post of danger, and his example did much toward
inspiring his daring in all around him.
Though, generally,
all behaved well, I will particularly mention the following
as having attracted my attention by distinguished gallantry:
Capts. George V. Moody, Parker, and [Pichegru] Woolfolk, jr.;
Lieutenant Elliott, commanding Rhett's battery; Lieutenants
Gilbert and Fickling, Rhett's battery; Lieutenant Parkinson,
Parker's battery (severely wounded in the leg); Lieutenant
[J.] Sillers, Moody's battery; Sergeants Conroy, Price, and
Corporals Gaulin and Donoho, Moody's battery. I would also
mention Lieutenant Maddox, of Colonel [A. S.] Cutts'
battalion of artillery, who had two guns under my command,
and behaved with great gallantry. My adjutant, Lieut. W. H.
Kemper, Alexandria Artillery, was of great assistance to me,
and exhibited gallantry and coolness in an eminent degree.
Inclosed is a list
of casualties.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
STEPHEN D. LEE,
Colonel Artillery, C. S. Army,
Commanding Battalion.
Source: OFFICIAL RECORDS: Series 1, Vol 19, Part 1 (Antietam - Serial 27) , Pages 844-847