Oxford Times, May 27, 1863
Camp of the 44th Reg., Va., May 18th, 1863
Mr. Editor: I promised you a letter after the battle, if I did not get my head pushed off on the occasion, so I fulfill, and I do so more willingly after reading the comments of the New York papers on this last great conflict. Never before have i seen such misrepresentations of any movement we have made. It seems to be a malicious attempt of reporters to vent their impotent rage upon Hooker and Butterfield because they were kept from the usually cowardly enjoyment of seeing a terrific battle at a safe distance.
"You must keep this side the river gentlemen," says Gen. Hooker, to the sneaks. "If you go over you must shoulder muskets, I'll have nothing but fighting men over there." This was a different business to any they had been accustomed to, yet they must send some report to the N.Y. papers, if they fabricated one, hence the infamous stories now afloat. Not wishing to take for soldiers more credit than truth will allow I wish the people of Oxford to have a correct version from one who was in all, and through all, from the 1st to the 6th of May, the first division on the ground was ours. The simple gaining of the position unopposed by the enemy, which we held to the last at Chancellorsville, the other side of the Rapidan was a movement exhibiting more Generalship than has ever been displayed by any previous generals of this army It perfectly astounded the rebels, we dropped down in their midst so suddenly, it left doubtful the direction we came from. The river where we crossed was so desirably fitted by nature for a strong defense, it was estimated by the best judges, that had 5000 rebels opposed our crossing with thirty pieces of artillery, it would have been impossible for us to get over.
The old "44t" were in the lead that day, a mile ahead of the Corps. We came to the river bank, on the other stood 10 rebel pickets, apparently lost in amazement [at] our sudden appearance. Gen. Griffin came to the river, took one look at the frowning hill on the other side, turning around in his saddle said, "Forty-Fourth, we must gain those hills with one Division, within an hour, or this river will run with blood. Every minute is worth the lives of 500 men. Will you lead!" "We will! we will!" shouted 300 strong voices. Taking off our cartridge boxes and rations, holding them high above our heads in the left hand, our gun in our right, we plunged in. It was cold, and muddy, and rising fast from the rain of the day before, and wider than the Chenango at Oxford. We reached the opposite side safely, with our powder dry, taking a good position, stayed there that night. The next morning moved forward three miles and found we were in the vicinity of the entire Rebel army. Now came the maneuvering. But three corps of ours were then on the ground. That night the 2d and 3d Corps joined us, via of U.S. Ford. Friday in the forenoon our corps began to feel of the enemy. He seemed rather shy. In the afternoon, we had one short but severe collision. The 2d Division of our corps (Gen. Sykes) suffered the most. The enemy had a good charge at him. With us it was the other way, we lost few, and killed very many. Saturday we were assigned our position on the left centre, having time made a breast work behind which we expected to stand, and if the rebels came, give them a warm reception. About 4P.M. were astonished by a discharge of musketry on our right, the like of which I never heard. Those heavy discharges from long lines at Antietiam and Malvern Hills, seemed but picket firing beside this Cannon. Opened immediately and with the musketry fairly shook the earth where we stood. In a few moments there came that the 11th corps had broke and back they came upon us in the utmost confusion. Our boys felt this state of things keenly. Knowing too well what an advantage it gave the enemy. Conch's corps immediately filled the breach, being nearest we went on Conch's right, leaving our place, since there was no probability of any fighting in the old quarter, collecting what they could of the scattered 11th it was nearly dark, but the real fighting of May 2d now began. Jackson's whole force, the flower of the rebel army were moving up, flushed with momentary success. Hooker rode down the lines, receive the enemy upon your bayonets, fire not a shot, they cannot see you. We got down. In a moment they burst from the woods, line after line came steadily forward toward Berry's Division first to our left. They thought there was nothing in the way, and an easy victory before them, but instantly a long dark line extending across the fields arose, presenting a glistening. They halted as quick as though shot in their track. In vain did their commanders urge them forward, they could not drive them on to the bayonets, they wavered for a moment, then the first line broke. At this we opened with musketry throughout the whole line, at the same time some 30 brass Napoleon guns 20 lbs opened with canister of the discharge of these pieces, so close were the enemy, that legs, arms, and huge pieces of bodies filled the air. They would totally demolish a line of battle at two or three discharges. They fell back in the woods and formed again, and then came forward as before, only again to be demolished. How many times this was done I cannot say, but as fast as the men could be got into line till midnight. The long sheets of fire from the infantry, the terrible flashes of the cannon, the bursting of shells, all together, made fireworks awfully grand, and cast Fourth of July operations into shade. When at last Jackson learned what he had to deal with, that it was impossible to break our lines, he withdrew for the night. We laid down on our arms. As day broke Sunday morning the enemy came on. Deserters during the night, told us that Jackson had promised "to break our centre if it cost his life, and the lives of his entire army," and when line after line came out of the woods early in the morning, advancing across the fields steadily to the attack, it would seem to an observer, unused to such scenes, that no human power could withstand the onset. We were ready, and however determined Jackson might be, there was determination equally firm in our unwavering line, which stood with bayonets fixed for the foe. the scene which now ensued was similar to that of the night before, only the slaughter of the enemy was greater, if that was possible, although they hurled their entire force against two divisions for six hours, they never moved an inch, not a solitary inch from where we had set our line after the retreat of the 11th corps. At length they encumbered the ground, they could not move their lines over it. We lost heavily in two Divisions, of course we must in such fighting, but by the side of the enemies dead in front, piled up till nearly as high as the fences, our loss was but a cypher. As they went down almost by battalions, I could hardly refrain from swinging my hat and crying out. "So much for Dec. 18th when they set us down so before Fredericksburg." The enemy left us, and went back on Sedgwick with their whole force and drove him from the height. What then should keep us there? It would not do to drive Lee this side of the river, between us and Washington, there was nothing but to retire, as for being driven back by Lee's army, you may set this down that the whole population of the South, men, women, children, negros, and all, could not have driven us from that position.
The 17th N.Y. started for home today, you remember Capt. Tyrrell enlisting men in Oxford for that regiment, their time is out, we have been to see them off, for they belonged to our brigade. In kind regards, Yours, J.E.B.
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