Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-01-27
Gen. Cooks Brigade.


We are indebted TO his Excelency Gov. Vance
for the following report from Col. E. D. Hall, COM
handing Gen. Cooks Brigade in the battles of
Sharpsburg aud Fredericksburg. This report is
highly interesting and shows that the gallant COM
mander and the troops performed their whole duty.
tbs the old and glorious story Of North Carolina
courage and selfsacriice in the "immnent deadly
breach"
CAMP NEAR FREDRRIcKsBURG, VA, I
DEcENBER lsth, 1862.
SR-I think it nothing but just proper that regular
reports from brigade commanders of North Carolina troops
should be made you in order that justice may be melted
out to those regiments and brgades who entrusted
with the honor and reputation of the good old State and
have successfully borne her flag in the hokest of the
Tight and as have had the responsibility two occasions
to take command of this brigade in the heat of pitched
battles (Sharpsburg and fredericksburg owing to the
disabling of the commanders Of the brigade early in the
This brigade, commanded by Gen. John r. Cook, gal
liant an officer as ever lived consists present of the 46h
10TH 9th and 4Sth regiments of North Carolina troops
On the morning of the 18th nst the brigade ordered
TO the 'front.' in connection with Gen. Ransoms and
ALL under his command took position Willis Hill,
directly opposite Fredericksburg aud well on the Left of
our lines We remained in line of battle until about IL
O'CLOCK OF Saturday the l3h when we were ordered ior
ward at which time the battle raging furiousy Willis
HUI oyerlooks the valley of the Rappahannock in which
fredericksburg is situated being about fourth of mile
distant On the crest four batteries had been erected At
the foot of the HILL Gen. Cobb with his brigade, under
cover OF long stone fence holly engaged with the
enemy who were making desperate attempt to storm the
position The Georgians fought gaanty and against ter
rble odds The enemy had succeeded in forcing their way
up to within forty yards of the fence when Cooks brigade
reached the crest of the hill and in face of deadly fire of
artillery and small arms drove them back with great loss
Our men falling fast for within two hundred
and hy yards OF twenty-five or thirty thousand OF the
enemy; but fought better with more enthu
sasm Not aered. The 46th and 9th ordered
down the hill to support Gen. Cobb behind the stone fence
where they remained all day. and suffered but little after
arriving there The 4Sth under Lieut. Col Walkup, and
the 18th, under Lieut. Col. McRae, remained the hill
and suffered severely boast ofnO drawer
men than the commanders of those two regiments that
day. Six different times afterwards did the enemy with
his heavy columns, attempt to drive from position
but 1T each attempt he thrown back with immense
loss leaving the field literally black with their dead and
wounded. During the afternoon reinforced by
the 25th N. C., Lieut. Col. Bryson commanding and one
other regiment of Gen. RansOns brigade further
left and gallanty did they do their duty Shortly after,
Gen. Kershaw, with SouthCarona brigade, to
assistance; The troops have enumerated composed all
of our forces engaged the left that da far as am
aware Of am satisfied did not lave five thousand,
and have since ascerained that had both Genls.
Hooker and Sumner to contend with The enemy left at
least thousand dead the field in 'front.' and the
wounded must have been three four times many;
Killing and woundng many had to fight them
with. sorry say that the loss of the brigade
quite heavy, viz four hundred and eighty out of
about thirteen hundred Our General severely wounded
early In the action, but glad to state that he is rapidly
Commissioning At nine O'Clock that night the brigade
relieved and ordered to the repsush their
nltlon they having fired sixty rounds aud to hold them
selves In readiness for the renewal of the fight the next
Where all did their duty WELL it impossible to single
out any one man for praise above another.
have the honor TO be
Very respectfully
Your Didn't serv't,
L. ID. HALL, Col.
Com'd'g Cooks Brigade
To His Exceency, z. B. VANCE,
Governor of North Carolina.