Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-05-28
THE Loss AND RECOVERY OF MARYEs HILL

THE LOSS AND RECOVERY OF MARYEs HILL.
To tie ESissF Of ths Wig:
Having observed that the card Of Rsjor General
Early ON the loss and re@king of Haryes HILL In the
late engagements on the Rappahannock was published
10 the Whig have request that you will insert the
accompanying response Of Gen Bnksdsle
FsKDE, IcKsBURG, Nay 10, 1868.
To the Editors Of the Enquirer:
Geutemeu-I desire briefly to respond to commu-
nicaton from General Early, which appeared in the
columns of your paper Of yesterday.
his nsnuatons with reference to correspondents I'm
the interest Of particular commands If intended for
this brigade, il gratuitous and unfounded. To my
knowledge no publication has been made by any one
connected directly or indirectly, with it; ana
not aware that his conduct in the late engagements
around Fredericksburg had been made the subject Of
newspaper censure until saw 1t announced over his
own signature.
When Gen McLaws moved up the river, on the night
of the S0th Of April my brigade detached from his
command, and was ordered to report to Gen. Early,
who charged with the duty of watching the move
mens of that portion of the Federal army which had
been left in the vicinity of Hamons Crossing and OPP
posite this place on the other side Of the river and,
as supposed 10 give him battle if he should offer it.
About two O'Clock on Sunday morning, having thrown
pOntOOn bridge the river, the enemy commenced
crossing into Fredericksburg in large numbers Gen.
Early was then with his entire division at Hami,on's
Crossing. at once informed MN oil tue tact ana asked
for renforcements. With several batteries, which were
under the command OF General PendletOn, and single
brigade of nfan ~ had front of not less than three
miles to defend extending from Taylors Bill, on the
left to the foot of the hills in rear Of the Howison
House. and not "the short line in rear of and TO the
left of Fredericksburg" as stated by General EARLY.
The 2st regiment was posted between the Marye House
and the plank road, three companies of which we're
afterwards sent to the support OF the 18th regiment
which stationed behind the stone wall at the harye
House. The 18th regiment was placed IN front OF Lees
Hill and the 18th still further to the right.
One regiment from Gen. Hayss command was subse-
quenly placed to the right of the 18TH Four pieces of
artillery we're placed the right of Maryes house. two
on the left and the balance Lees and the hills in the
vicinity of the Howison house-thus making the only
di D ston Of the small force at my command which,
10 my Judgment would prevent the enemy from passing
the line The battle commenced at daylight furious
eannonading opened from the enemys batteries in
town and along both banks Of the river. Two assaults
were made upon Maryes heights, but both sgnaly
repulsed. About o'clock heavy column OF TIE
enemy was moving up the river, evidently for the
purpose Of getting possession OF TayoTs HILL which, If
successful, would have given him command OF the
position which held. But this was prevented by the
timely arrival of Gen Hays with four regiments of his
brigade. The enemy having thus been toed in his pur
pose, turned the head OF his column down the river
again but it impossible TO tell whether he had
abandoned the attempt intended TO advance again
upon the same position with still heavier force. Gen.
Wilcox had now read ed Taylors hill with three reg
mens OF his brigade one Of which he promised 10 send
to the right in it should be needed This regiment
as sent for but there not sufficient time for it to
come up before the action was over. With lire as ex
tended as this, and in consideration OF the small num-
Der of troops at my disposal and the uncertainty %
the point against which the enemy would hurl the im
mense force he had massed in town. deemed proper
that the regiments should remain they then were and
await the happening OF events.
-. fba naunv Ooun Ouff hiG
hiding place and moved in three columns and three
lines Of batte-twenty thousand strong against the
positions held by my brigade. At the same instant COL
HUMPHREYS was assailed the left Coones Holder aud
Carter and the Louisiana regiment on the right and
Colonel Griffin in the centre. After determined and
bloody resistance by Colonel Griffin and the Washing
ton Artillery the enemy, fully twenty TO one succeeded
in getting possession of Maryes hill At all other points
he was trumphanty repused. But, seeing the line
broken at this point ordered the 18th, 18th and the
Louisiana regiment to fall back to the crest of Lees
hill TO prevent the enemy from getting in our rear
This they did resisting his approach at every STEP and
with the aid of Frazers and Careons batteries both
Of which we're handled with the most consummate skill
and courage finally succeeded in checking his advance.
The 2lst regiment with the remainder OF the 18TH af
ter Maryes hill had beel TAKEN fell back and reoined
the brigade on the hills.
The distance from town 70 the points assailed was
so short the attack suddenly made, and the difficult
ty of removing troops from part of the line TO an
other Ess so great that it utterly impossible for
either Gen. Wilcox or Gen Hays to reach the scene of
action1n time to afford any assistance whatever.
It will thus be seen that Marye's hill defended by
but one small regiment three companies and four pieces
of artillery, aud not by the entire brigade. more
heroic struggle was never made by mere handful 0.
men against overwhelming odds According to the
enemys own accounts, many Of this noble little band
resisted to the DEATH with dubbed guns after his
vast hordes had swept and around the walls. His
loss from reports published in his newspapers
thousand killed and wounded but, according to the
state ments of intelligent citizens it reached two thou
sand.
The inference naturally drawn from General Early's
statement IT, that Monday morning General Gordons
command drove the enemy from Aarye's hill which
nv brigade had failed hold the day before. would
scorn to deract from the welearned reputation of this
brigade and It's gallant commander but the truth is the
enemy had abando ed Maryes heights and Gen. Gordon
took possession without opposition.
Ny brigade needs defence at my hands. It's repu-
taton, won upon many battle fields is well established
This communication is not written for that purpose but
TO correct erroneous impressions which General Earys
publication was calculated to make.
WV. BARKsDALE.
CASUALTIES IN PENDER'S BRIGADE.
Some DAYS since we published list of casualties in