Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-02-05

We are Indebted to bis ExcelleBcy Gov. Vance for
the following report from COL E. D. Hall, commanding
Gen. Cooks trigade n tie battles of Sharpsburg and
fredericksburg. This report is highly interesting. and
shows that tie gallant commander and the troops per-
formed their whole duty 1t is the old and glorious
story OF courage aud selfsacrce 10 the
I" immlne, deadly breach"
CAMP NEAR FREDER1CKsBURG VA,
December 18th, 1862. ?
SIR II think it nothing but just and proper that
regular reports from brigade 4mmanders of North
Carolina troops should be made to you, in order that
Justice may be me ed out to those regiments and orig
AIDES who entrusted with the honor and reputation
OF The good old State and have successfully borne
her flag in the thckes of the 3h and as have had
The oIlty, on two occasions to take command
of this 5rgade in the heat of pitched battles fSharps
burg and Fredericksburg) owing to The disabling the
mmanders of the brigade early in the action feel
that the responsibility devolves upon me.
This brigade commanded by Gen. John R. Cook, as
gallant officer lve consists at present of the
Ia troops.
On the morning of the 18th inst, the brigade was
ordered to the front, in con with Gen Ransoms
brigade, and all, under his mmand, took position on
Willis Hill, directly opposite fredericksburg and well
the left of lines We remained in line of battle
until about O'Clock of Saturday, the 18TH when we
ordered forward at which time the battle was rag
ing furicusy Willis Hill overlooks the valley of the
Rappahannock, in which Fredericksburg is situated,
being about fourth OF mile distant. On the est
four batteries had been erected At the foot of the hill
Gen. Coob with his brigade under of long stone
fence, was hotly engaged with the enemy, who were
making desperate attempt to storm the position-
The Geolgians fought CALAMITY aud against terrible
odds. The enemy had succeeded in forcing their way
to within forty yards of the fence when Cooks brig
ade reached the crest of the h and in face Of deadly
fire of artillery and small arms drove them back With
great loss Our men were falling FAST for we were
within two hundred and fifty yards of twenty-five or
thirty thousand of the enemy but no men ever fought
better or with more enthusiasm. Not man ta.tered
The 46th and 9th ordered down the hill to SUD-
port Gen. Cobb behind the stone fence where they re-
manned all day. and suffered but little after arriving
there. The 48th, under Lieut.. COL Walkup, and the
18th, under Lieut. COL McRae remained on the hill
and suffered severely North Carolina can boast of no
Drawer men than the commanders of those two ree.
ments that day Six different times afterwards did
the enemy, with his heavy columns attempt to drive Us
from position, but at each attempt was he thrown
back with immense loss leaving the field literally
black with their dead and wounded. During the after
noon we were reinforced by the 18th n c., Col. Bry
son commanding, and one other regiment OF Gen. Ran.
SONS brigade further on left and calamity did thew
do their duty. Shortly after, Gen. Kershaw, with a
South Carolina brigade, came to assistance The
troops have enumerated composed all of our forces
engaged on the left that day, far as am aware Of
am satisfied we did not have five thousand and we
have since aseertaned that had both Gents Hooker
and Sumner to contend with The enemy left at least
thousand dead on the field in our front and the
wounded must have been three or four times as MANY
we killing and wounding as many men as we had to
tight them with am sorry to say that the loss of the
brigade was quite heavy viz four hundred and eighty
seven out OF about thirteen hundred Our General was
severely wounded early in the action, but am glad to
state that be il rapidly convalescng At nine O'Clock
that night the brigade was relieved nd ordere to the
rear to repensh their ammunition, they having fred