Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-07-24
Battle Of Hanover Court HOHse-Gt neral Rr""eh's
Report.
HEADQUARTERS IN THE FIELD,
Nov 90 1850


May 20, 1862
CAPT. r. o. MORGAN, Il. A. General
have the honor report for the Information OF the
General commanding the Division that IN order to
er the railroad against small parties OF the e1emy and
at same time carry out other views and wishes
of GrnerI Johnston, which be had communicate, to
me- NOV d my camp on Monday last from Hanorer
Court House to Slash Church. TIE position was Sc
eced because whilst fulfilling other requirements it was
at the mouth Of road leading to Ashland which as.
sured me OF means of retreat assaed by the large
forces OF the enemy in close proximity to my front.
took up the position with knowledge of its danger
and all of my arrangements were made accordingly
No baggage train encumbated me and my command
bvouack Monday night, Infantry supports beiug
thrown lCr he cavalry pickets. Tuesday morning
by Talliaerro'5 Mills, and | sent Col. Lane with his
own (28Lh n. C.) Regiment ard section Of Lahams
Battery to support the pickes, and repe ary small
party. At the same time Col. HarCemans 45Ih
Georgia Regiment was sent to repair the railroad at
Ashcake, where it bad been obsrucled by the enemy
the day before, and watch any approach of the enemy
that road. Abopt the middle of the day the enemy
opened fire from a battery Peake's Crossing.-
Lathams battery soon got into position 10 reply and
after sharp action silenced it. In the mean tim, a
severe cannonaGe had been going in the direction Of
Lane, showing that he leo had bte1 attacked. IS
soon as the battery in the road lad been driven off,
sent COL Lee with bis own (the 37th) and the 9Th
(COl. COwan'e) regiment to reinforce him. When these
TWO regiments haQ pTOceCdeQ' ABOUT mile and hail.
the enemy found strongly posted acoes the road
On learning this galloped forward (eavng orders for
Latham to follow quickly pOssiDle) and TO-
formed by Col Lee that the force of the enemy consist
ed of two regiments OF Infantry and some artillery.
My plan was quickly formed, and orders Given
for its execuOn-IAe with the 9th, to push ttro
the woods and get close the right flank of the bate
ry. Hoke, as soon as he could return from a sweep
through the woods which had sent him, and Col.
Wade's lth n G. Regiment was to make a similar
tO Of thp hat 70
charge the open ground IN 'front.' HOke suppOr-
ted by Col. Wade, had sharp skirmSh III the woods,
taking 81 prisoners ard eleven horses but out too
late to make the movement assigned to him, and Lee
having sent for reinorcements, l SO far changed my
plan to abandon the attack on the enemyS Left and
sent 1t Col. Hoke TO reinforce Col Lee relying the
front and right flank attacks.
Col. Cowan with the 18th made the charge most gal
lanty, but the euemys force much larger than had
been supposed aud strongly postGd and the gallant 18Th
was compelled to SEEK shelter. 1t continued to pour
heavy voeys from the edge of the woods and must have
doEe great execution. The steadness with which this
desperate charge made reflects he highest credit
officers aud men. The 37th found the underground
dense to reard It's progress but when it reached
its position poured heavy AID destructive fire upon
the enemy This combined attack OF the 18th and 37th
compelled the enemy to leave bis battery for time and
take shelter behind ditch bank
For two hours the cavalry pickets had been coming
In from the Ashcake road, reporting heavy force of
LGe 6Eeuly passing around my Tlgnt ana
Col Robertson OF the lrglnla cavalry, who near
Hanover Court House. had sent me repeated messages
to the effect that heavy body from that direction
were threatening my line of retreat. | had already
learned that my brigade engaged with entire d.
vision in its 'front.' but continued the contest in the hope
that the cannOnadc would attract to reinforce
mentS-taking the precautiOn however to keep Camp.
BELLS 7th orth Carolina and Uardemans 45th Geor-
ga hand to the retreat in my expectation
should not be realized. Finding l couA remain DO
longer without being surrounded and hearing Of
intOrcements and feeling assured from the firing that
Lane had made good bis retreat to Hanover Court
House, determined to draw off. This, always difficult
in the prcstncc OF superior enemy, was rendered COM
paratyey easy by the pTecautiOn had taken not to
engage my whole force. Campbell was ordered to place
the 7h the road to receive the enemy they
should attempt to follow.
Orders then sent to Lee and COwan to withdraw
10 order. They were holly engaged when the order was
received, but promptly withdrew. Colonel Cowan in
especial manner attracted my attention by the per-
feet order n which he brought cut his reg gment, not
wthstandiDg the severe and long continue fire be had
sustained from both infantry and artillery. The regi-
ments marched to the without haste confusion
and went up the Ashland road. cautious attempt
was made by the enemy to follow, but single vOliey
from the guard of the 7h arrested it. The march
was continued without interruption to Ashard where
ordered by Gen. johnson to report to Maj General
Hill. All my subsequent movements having been under
orders received from him in person, they need not be
! detailed.
! Having but one wagon and one ambulance, l was
under the necessity of leaving portion of my wound
ed The enemy left portion of their killed on the
! ground which we subsequently occupied.
My senior surgeon established his hospital In house
which the hospital flag conspcuously displayed
! 1t was not in nor near the line of fire. l many
shells thrown by the enemy explode Immediately over
and around the house. Ii could not have been unde
signed.
Col Lane with the 28th regiment, has rejoined the
brigade but have not received his report of the en-
gagement be had with the enemy. AS received
it will be forwarded to you.
My loss exclusive of Col. Lanes c0mmand) was
sixtysx killed, aOd one hundred and seventy.sever
wounded
An entire Division was engaged against me, and aE
you are aware a large part OF Gen. McClelians army
were in supporting distance.
The officers and men OF my command conducted them
selves in very handsome both IN the engage
meut and in the march,
The enemy may have captured stragglers enough t.
offset the prisoners took from them in the open ned
but they took no body of my troops
Twice during the day the enemy were driven back
the last time taking shelter behind ditch bank at tn
end of the woods. From this position l did not sue
ceed in driving them.
| have the honor to be,
Yours very respectfully,
L. OBJ. BRANCH,
Brig, Gen. Comdg.