REBEL ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE. Early on the morning of the first instant, Colonel Morrison, then commanding our brigade at Albany, Kentucky, received despatches from Colonel Chenault, at Monticello, to the effect that he was holding the enemy in check, that their force consisted of only three regiments of infantry and one of cavalry, including four pieces of artillery, and if he, Colonel Morrison, would come to their assistance, they could capture the entire command, or run them into the river. Colonel Morrison immediately ordered the brigade in the direction of Monticello in quick-time. Though Chenault had long since retreated from every position he held, from Monticello back to where the Albany road leaves the Jamestown road, had fallen back nine miles, thus cutting off all communication with Colonel Morrison and the force on the Jamestown road. Captain Day's battalion was the advance. He, true to the instincts of a cautious commander, ordered two advanceguards. Lieutenant Gibson, commanding the first, was cut off and made his way to Chenault. The second was fired into, when the battalion was about-faced, and, whilst forming in a field adjacent that one in which they were marching, the Yankees made an attempt to charge their line, which was responded to by a volley of Minie-balls, when the order was given by the vallant and chivalrous Day to charge their advancing column, which they did in magnificent style. If ever blue-bellies took to their heels, they did. They never stopped until they got to a woodland one mile distant. Colonel Morrison ordered back to the left Day's battalion and moved forward the artillery, Hincel's battery. The lines of the enemy were then within four hundred yards of our lines. Lieutenant Ramsey opened on them with deadly effect-every shot penetrated their lines. They soon left the field, followed by bombs of cool and intrepid Ramsey. The artillery in connection with Day's battalion forced the enemy back on their right and from our left, when they attempted to turn our right flank. Major Cobb had been sent to protect our right, but found the enemy occupying the hills commanding the road, and was forced to take position some distance from the road. The enemy coming up on our centre, Major Cobb was ordered to hold his position, as that was considered the only safe way to take out our artillery. But before the despatch was received by the Major, he was forced from his position with the enemy following him. Colonel Morrison was then completely flanked, though he was prepared to drive back the enemy on the centre, should they continue to advance. The battery occupied an eminence commanding the road for some distance. The First Georgia, Major Davis, was in front; Colonel Carter was ordered up, but did not have time to take his position; Day's battalion was on the extreme left. Colonel Morrison, under the circumstances, was ordered to fall back in the direction of Travisville, as the enemy were crossing the river at Greary Creek, only a few miles below, with two regiments of infantry, two of cavalry, and a heavy battery of artillery. During the evening, Chenault sent a despatch to Colonel Morrison, requesting reenforcements, as the enemy were pressing him. Colonel Carter was detached and ordered to his relief. He came to Travisville, and lo! Chenault had sent Major Coff's command and the First Louisiana to that point, whilst he and Cluke struck a "bee line" in the direction of Middle Tennessee-without notifying Colonel Morrison or the reënforcements of his having left the position he had been holding that evening. Our brigade came through from the Albany road to Travisville unmolested but not whipped, for we had maintained our position and forced the enemy from theirs. Stragglers who were prejudiced against Colonel Morrison, and were too cowardly to remain in the field, skulked off to East-Tennessee to tell the tales of disaster and scandal. Our loss was two killed, nine wounded, and three prisoners. The loss of the enemy must have been from fifteen to twenty killed, aside from many wounded. Though the enemy shelled the brigade with four pieces of artillery for near an hour, they never forced back the brigade. Their entire force must have consisted of six or seven thousand, mostly mounted infantry, as there was a heavy force on both roads. At Hernden's we met the long looked for Pegram, who would have been greeted with many cheers but for the timidity of the men. All hearts seemed buoyed up by his arrival. He carries with him confidence wherever he goes. His appearance inspires his command with a feeling of confidence and success. He don't aspire for a commander of superior skill and ability. He has just returned from an arduous trip to Richmond, where he has been procuring arms and ammunition for his brigade. He will soon have his command the best armed of any in the confederate army. -Memphis Appeal. Doc. 182. REBEL RETALIATORY ACT. Resolved, by the Congress of the Confederate States of America, in response to the message of the President, transmitted to Congress at the commencement of the present session, that in the opinion of Congress the commissioned officers of the enemy ought not to be delivered to the authorities of the respective States, as suggested in the said message; but all captives taken by the confederate forces ought to be dealt with and disposed of by the confederate government. SEC. 2. That, in the judgment of Congress, the Proclamations of the President of the United States, dated respectively September twentysecond, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and January first, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, and the other measures of the Government of the United States and of its authorities, commanders and forces, designed or tending to emancipate slaves in the confederate States, or to abduct such slaves, or to incite them to insurrection, or to employ negroes in war against the confederate States, or to overthrow the institution of African slavery and bring on a servile war in these States, would, if successful, produce atrocious consequences, and they are inconsistent with the spirit of those usages which in modern warfare prevail among civilized nations; they may, therefore, be properly and lawfully repressed by retaliation. SEC. 3. That in every case wherein, during the present war, any violation of the laws or usages of war among civilized nations shall be, or has been, done and perpetrated by those acting under the authority of the Government of the United States, on the persons or property of citizens of the confederate States, or of those under the protection or in the land or naval service of the confederate States, or of any State of the Confederacy, the President of the confederate States is hereby authorized to cause full and complete retaliation to be made for every such violation, in such manner and to such extent as he may think proper. SEC. 4. That every white person, being a commissioned officer, or acting as such, who, during the present war, shall command negroes or mulattoes in arms against the confederate States, or who shall arm, train, organize, or prepare negroes or mulattoes for military service against the confederate States, or who shall voluntarily aid negroes or mulattoes in any military enterprise, attack, or conflict in such service, shall be deemed as inciting servile insurrection, and shall, if captured, be put to death, or be otherwise punished at the discretion of the court. SEC. 5. Every person, being a commissioned officer, or acting as such in the service of the enemy, who shall, during the present war, excite, attempt to excite or cause to be excited servile insurrection, or who shall incite or cause to be incited a slave to rebel, shall, if captured, be put to death, or be otherwise punished at the discretion of the court. SEC. 6. Every person charged with an offence punishable under the preceding resolutions shall, during the present war, be tried before the military court attached to the army or corps by the troops of which he shall have been captured, or by such other military court as the President may direct, and in such manner and under such regulations as the President shall prescribe, and, after conviction, the President may commute the punishment in such manner and on such terms as he may deem proper. SEC. 7. All negroes and mulattoes who shall be engaged in war or taken in arms against the confederate States, or shall give aid or comfort to the enemies of the confederate States, shall, when captured in the confederate States, be delivered to the authorities of the State or States in which they shall be captured, to be dealt with according to the present or future laws of such State or States. To Approved May 1, 1863. Doc. 183. BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE. REPORT OF BRIG.-GEN. STEINWEHR. HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, ELEVENTH CORPS, } STEVENS'S FARM, VA., May 8, 1863. Lieutenant-Colonel Meurenburg, Assistant Adjutant-General, Eleventh Corps: COLONEL I have the honor to forward the following report of the part taken by my division in the action on the evening of the second of May : On the thirtieth ultimo we arrived near Dowdell's tavern, about two miles west of Chancellorsville. This tavern is situated on the plankroad, which runs in an easterly direction toward Chancellorsville and Fredericksburgh. It is surrounded by undulating fields, which are seamed on three sides by heavy timber, but slope down at the west side toward open ground traversed by a small brook. Upon these fields you ordered me to take position. I directed the First brigade, Col. Buschbeck, to occupy the fields south of the road, and the Second brigade, Gen. Francis Barlow, those north of it. My division was to be considered as a reserve for the First and Third divisions, which were placed in position west of us. At about four o'clock P.M., on the second instant, you ordered me to send the Second brigade, General F. Barlow commanding, to support the right wing of General Sickles's corps, then engaged with the enemy. The brigade immediately started, and, accompanied by yourself and myself, reached the right wing of General Birney's division (of General Sickles's corps) in about an hour's time. found General Birney's sharp-shooters skirmishing with the enemy; and as no engagement was imminent, I returned to the First brigade, near Dowdell's. We Soon I heard heavy firing in that direction, which showed that a strong attack was made upon our corps. When I arrived upon the field I found Colonel Buschbeck, with three regiments of his brigade, (the Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania, Seventy-third Pennsylvania, and One Hundred and Fifty-fourth New-York volunteers,) still occupying the same ground, near the tavern, and defending this position with great firmness and gallantry; the fourth regiment (the Twenty-ninth regiment New-York volunteers) he had sent to the north side of the road, to fill the place lately occupied by the Second brigade, before its detachment. The attack of the enemy was very powerful. They emerged in close columns from the woods, and had thrown the First and Second showing the first position of this division. I have divisions, who retired toward Chancellorsville, in the honor to be your obedient servant, great confusion. Col. A. Buschbeck succeeded to check the progress of the enemy, and I directed him to hold his position as long as possible. The men fought with great determination and courage. Soon, however, the enemy gained both wings of the brigade, and the enfilading fire which was now opened upon this small force, and which killed and wounded nearly one third of its whole strength, soon forced them to retire. Colonel A. Buschbeck then withdrew his small brigade in perfect order toward the woods, the enemy closely pressing on. Twice he halted, fired a round, and at last reached the rear of General Sickles's corps, which had been drawn up in position near Chancellorsville. Here he formed his regiment in close column, and you will recollect, offered to advance again to a bayonet-charge. The Second brigade, Gen. F. Barlow commanding, had, during this time, advanced in a southerly direction. Gen. F. Barlow soon also heard the heavy firing. He received from Gen. Birney a communication advising him to close up to the Third corps, which he joined about nine o'clock P.M. near Chancellorsville. On the morning of May third General F. Barlow reviewed the corps. A. VON STEINWEHR, Brigadier-General Commanding Second Division. GENERAL CARROLL'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION, Į Major John M. Norvell, Assistant Adjutant-Gen- I moved from my present camp at six A.M. of the twenty-ninth ultimo, arrived in the vicinity of the United States Ford about eleven A. M., picketed the river from about a mile below the Ford, up to and including Richardson's Ferry. On the thirtieth ultimo, at half-past three P.M., the pontoon-bridges having been laid, this brigade was the first to cross, forming a line of battle on the hills opposite and skirmishing through the woods, finding no enemy. A short time before dusk were put en route and marched to the White House, near Chancellorsville, where we bivouacked for the night. On May first, at one o'clock P.M., was ordered Both brigades were placed, on the third of May, to move the brigade on the road to Chancellorsbehind the rifle-pits toward the left of the army, ville. The column had not cleared camp before which position they occupied until the army was the action was commenced by the forces in our withdrawn, on May sixth. From this short rela- front. We remained in this position for an hour, tion, you will see that my Second brigade was and then was ordered to mass my brigade in the not engaged, owing to its being detached, and woods on the right of the road, which was done. that the First brigade displayed the greatest After retaining this position for some two hours, bravery under very trying circumstances. It was ordered to occupy the same ground I did the numbered about one thousand five hundred mus-night before. About dusk was ordered to form kets, and held a position which was originally in line of battle on the edge of the wood to the designed to be held by my whole division. It right of the road, which position we occupied durstood undismayed by the furious attack of an ing the night. enemy flushed with victory over the two other Between seven and eight o'clock A.M., on the divisions, and was ready again to advance as soon second, was ordered by the Major-General comas it was re-formed. Our loss is heavy. The manding division to occupy the edge of the wood First brigade lost in killed and wounded four on the left of the wood, the line of battle being hundred and ninety-four men and two officers; nearly perpendicular to the line occupied the night among the latter, three regimental commanders, before, joining with Major-Gen. Hancock's division Col. Jones, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth regi- my right, and Major-Gen Sykes's division on my ment New-York volunteers; Lieut.-Col. Hart-left, and to throw out skirmishers on the same mann, Twenty-ninth regiment New-York volun- line with theirs. Between ten and eleven A.M. was teers; and Lieut.-Col. Moore, of Third Pennsyl-ordered by the Major-General commanding the vania volunteers. Col. Buschbeck lost two aids, Capt. Bode, seriously wounded, and Lieut. Grimm, both probably in the hands of the enemy. I must speak in high terms of Col. Adolph Buschbeck for his gallantry and determination, and for the complete control he retained over his command during the whole time of the engagement; also, of his Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Capt. Alexander, who was constantly in the lines, and cheered the men by his courageous bearing. The conduct of the officers of my own staff also merits praise. They were much exposed. Major McAloon, Assistant Inspector - General, particularly distinguished himself. I annex a sketch of the ground, corps to dig rifle-pits and fell an abattis in my front, which were completed by sunset. I retained my position during the night. At seven A.M., on the third, received orders from the Major-General commanding division to take four regiments and form line of battle facing the woods, parallel to the plank-road, which I did, taking the Eighth Ohio, Fourteenth Indiana, Fourth Ohio, and Seventh Virginia, leaving the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-eighth New-Jersey to occupy the rifle-pits we had dug; then received orders from the same source to have the right wing of the right regiment from behind the houses and out-buildings occupied by the division commander as his headquarters. In about half an were placed about six hundred yards in front of my works, connecting with Gen. Hancock on the right and the Eleventh corps on my left. hour received orders from the division commander to move forward through the woods and attack the enemy, that had just driven the force in front of us from those woods. I did so, leaving, At five P.M., on the fourth, the enemy shelled by some misapprehension of the Lieutenant-Col- our rifle-pits for about half an hour, doing no onel commanding, for which no blame can be at- damage. About twelve o'clock midnight there tached to him, the Eighth Ohio, which remained was an alarm caused by a portion of the Eleventh supporting the battery on our right. We engaged corps firing at an unseen and unheard of enemy. the enemy, consisting of about eight battalions, Between nine and ten o'clock A.M., the fifth, a some thirty yards in the woods, received one vol-reconnoissance of the enemy in our front drove our ley from them, fired at random, and drove them pickets some three hundred yards, but sending at a quick pace through the woods over the plank-out a reënforcement forced them to retire. road and out of their rifle-pits. Some thirty yards beyond their pits they had a column of at least a division massed, who also started in retreat when the first line reached them, but, perceiving our small number, they turned and drove us back, at the same time opening a battery on the plank-road, enflading us with grape and canister. In their rifle-pits we captured two stand of colors, had possession of a large quantity of small arms and ammunition, lying in boxes in front of their works, and captured one major, five captains, seven lieutenants, and two hundred and seventy enlisted men, and released a regiment of Zouaves belonging to the Third corps,* that were held as prisoners behind those pits. In my opinion, had we been supported by a division, we could have retained possession of the plank-road. In retiring through the woods they followed us slowly and at long-range, doing but little damage with small arms, but playing upon us heavily with shell. We met Caldwell's brigade going to the front as we were emerging from the wood retiring. The Twenty-fourth and Twenty-eighth NewJersey afterward moved in on our right, separated from us by the First Delaware, One Hundred and Thirty-second Pennsylvania, of another brigade, and consequently not knowing of their movement, or being able to see them, on account of the thick underbrush, I could not supervise them. They joined me after I came out of the woods retiring. It was about three hours and a half from the time I formed in line to move forward until I returned. My men behaved in the most gallant style, and I had much more trouble to make them retire when it was found useless to advance than to move forward. The pioneer corps, under the command of Capt. N. Willard, was formed across the road to stop flying stragglers. They took possession of our prisoners as they were brought out of the woods and turned them over to an aid of Gen. Patrick, and rejoined me at the same time with the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-eighth NewJersey. At eight P.M. received orders to be ready to move back toward United States Ford. At three o'clock A.M. of the sixth, was put en route for the rear, crossing United States Ford about five A.M., marching to our old camp, which we reached between eleven and twelve. Where all, both officers and men, behaved so gallantly, it would seem invidious to particularize, and as it would require too much space to record the personal gallantry of even the commissioned officers, I will confine myself to the mention of the cool judgment and indomitable courage of Colonel Corns, Lieut.-Colonel Cavins, and Major Houghton, Fourteenth Indiana, Lieut.-Colonel Carpenter, (commanding,) Captain Jones, (acting Major,) and Capt. Grubb, Fourth Ohio; Colonel Snider, Lieut.-Col. Lockwood, Seventh Virginia. The preceding are the only regiments that went into action with me on the third. My thanks are due to Capt. Fiske, A.A.A. G., (who was either killed or wounded and taken prisoner while carrying an order from me to the Seventh Virginia, on the plank-road,) Lieut. J. G. Reed, Eighth Ohio, A.A.A. General, Lieutenant Joe Carr, Fourth Ohio, and Lieutenant A. M. Van Dyke, Fourteenth Indiana, volunteers A.D.C., for their promptitude, gallantry, and valuable assistance in a trying emergency. I would also state that no surgeon, or their assistants, except Assistant-Surgeon W. F. Hicks, Seventh Virginia, and no ambulance men or stretchers were furnished me from the time I formed the line to move forward until we came out of action. Surgeon McAbee, Brigade Surgeon, was detailed on the operating board at division hospital. I found that a Sharp's rifle, furnished one of my men by the division commander, reached the enemy's sharp-shooters when none of our other guns seemed to have any effect on them. I would respectfully recommend that two companies of my brigade be armed with them. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. S. CARROLL, U.S. A., We then reoccupied our rifle-pits for about an hour, when I was ordered to move to the left and Occupy the position at right angles to our riflepits, which General Sykes's division had formerly occupied. In moving to this position we were heavily shelled by the enemy and met with some loss. The rest of the day was occupied by us in ing report of the operations of this command in constructing rifle-pits along his line. Skirmishers the recent movements of the army on the Rappa General Sickles's corps.-ED. hannock. April twenty-eighth, at about seven o'clock A.M., the regiment broke camp and marched with the brigade, Gen. Zook commanding, about four miles to the right of Falmouth, where the brigade bivouacked for the night. This regiment was ordered on picket near Banks's Ford-the line connecting on the left with the pickets of the Eleventh Massachusetts volunteers, extending along the bank of the Rappahannock about two miles, and uniting with the pickets of the Eightyeighth New-York volunteers, Irish brigade, near Banks's Ford. gade to a woods on the left of the Chancellor House, where we formed line of battle, under a heavy fire from the enemy's artillery, in which position we remained until about three the next morning, (May second,) when, pursuant to orders, we were moved with the brigade to our former position in front of the Chancellor House. About daylight we were ordered with the rest of the brigade to the left, where we took up position in the woods in the first line of battle, and company D, Captain McNeil, was thrown forward as skirIn compliance with orders, immediately on ar- mishers. About ten o'clock A.M. of the same day, riving upon the picket-ground, I placed a strong this command was detached to take up position guard upon two houses known as the "England' on the Fredericksburgh road, and throw up inand "Rawdon" houses, with orders to allow no trenchments connecting the line of works on the person to enter or leave either. The regiment left of the Chancellor House, having the Eightypicketed this line until about twelve o'clock, mid-eighth New-York on our right, and the One Hunnight, of the twenty-ninth, when, pursuant to dred and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania on our left; orders, the pickets and the guards on the Raw-our position here was protected in front by a don house were drawn in, the guard at the Eng- slight skirting of woods, and intended to secure land house being left. The regiment then marched a flank fire upon the enemy in case of an attack. about seven miles, and joined the brigade about ten o'clock on the morning of the thirtieth, near United States Ford. About twelve o'clock M. of the same day, the brigade crossed the ford on pontoons, this regiment having been assigned the right of the line. This regiment then moved forward with the brigade about six miles the other side of the river, and about seven o'clock in the evening came up with the Fifth army corps, where it bivouacked for the night. About noon the next day, May first, heavy firing being heard in front, the regiment moved forward with the division about four miles, to a point near Chancellorsville, where the regiment advanced through the woods, having thrown out the right flank company, Capt. Bartholf, as skirmishers, formed line of battle, and moved forward to a clearing on the crest of a hill behind a dense woods. Here the regiment took up position, and the left flank company, Capt. Davis, were sent out as skirmishers, with instructions to connect with the left of Capt. Bartholf's company, for the purpose of covering our front; the line skirmishers of the Sixtyfourth New-York volunteers on our left, and of the One Hundred and Fortieth Pennsylvania on our right, having subsequently connected with our own line, the entire line of skirmishers was moved forward to the edge of the woods at the front of the hill, and to the brow of another hill immediately in front of the woods. Here the enemy opened a heavy fire of artillery upon our skirmishers, when, in compliance with orders from Gen. Zook, they fell back to the edge of the woods, where they remained for about half an hour, when the enemy advanced upon them in line of battle, with a heavy line of skirmishers in front; our line of skirmishers, according to orders, slowly retired in good order, firing as they withdrew. The line of skirmishers having been withdrawn, I brought off my command in good order by the right of companies to the rear, and rejoined the brigade, which formed line of battle, supporting a battery in front of the Chancellor House. The enemy being driven back by the fire of our artillery, we were moved with the bri The intrenchments were completed in the face of a severe artillery fire from the enemy on our left flank. About nine o'clock the same evening, General Hancock ordered me to report with my command to Col. Miles, in charge of the picketline, which I immediately did, marching the reg iment outside of the intrenchments, down the Fredericksburgh road to the picket-line, where we relieved the Fifty-seventh and Fifty-second New-York volunteers. I established my line parallel with and a few paces beyond the road, fronting a wood occupied by the enemy's pickets, my left connecting and forming right angles with the Sixty-fourth; my right extending in conjunc tion with two companies of the One Hundred and Fortieth Pennsylvania, placed under my command, to the open field in front of the breastworks, where it connected at right angles with the Fifth New-Hampshire. The men, under my directions, threw up temporary intrenchments during the night. At daybreak the next morning (May third) the enemy opened a brisk fire of musketry along the whole line in front and on the flank. The firing was maintained for upward of four hours, during which the enemy made repeated and determined assaults upon our lines, and was each time gallantly repulsed by our men, with severe loss. At nine o'clock A.M., all his efforts to break our lines with infantry alone having proved futile, the enemy opened upon them with a terrific fire of artillery, but with no better result. Every volley from the enemy's musketry, and every discharge from his cannon, seeming to give renewed energy to our brave men, and to increase their determination to maintain their position at all hazards, and against any assault the enemy might be capable of making against them. There was no wasting of ammunition here; every man fired with the utmost coolness and deliberation, taking careful and steady aim at his object, as if firing at a target for a prize; not a man flinched under the terrible fire to which he was now subjected; every one of them felt the high and enviable reputation of the gallant old Third brigade was in his special |