Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-01-28
Gen. Cooks Brigade.

. We are indebted TO his Excellency Gov. Vance
for the following report from Col. E D. Hall, COM
handing Gen. Cooks Brigade in the battles Of
Shaspsbnrg and fredericksburg. This report is
highly interesting, and shows that the gallant COM
msuder and the troops performed their whole duty.
kis the old and glorious story Of North Carolina
courage aud selfsacriace IN the Imminent deadly
breach"
Carr NEAR FREDEzIczssuRe. Va,
DEcRNBER 18th, 1852. =,
SR.I think 1t nothing bat just and proper that regular
reports from brigade of North troops
should be made TO you in order that justice may be melted
out to those regiments and bigades who entrusted
with the honor and reputation Of the good old State and
fight and as have cad the responsibility on two occasions
to take command of this brigade in the heat of pitched
battles (Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg owing to the
action feel that the responsibility devolves upon
This brigade commanded by Gen. John R. Cook as gal
LIANT an officer lived consists At Of the 4'h
On the morning of the 18th the brigade was ordered
to the front in connection with Gen. Ransoms brigade and
si under his command, took position on Willis HUI.
our lines We remained in line Of battle until about
o'clock Of Saturday the 18TH when we were ordered for
ward at which time the battle raging urously Willis
h overiooks the valley of the Rappahannock in when
fredericksburg is situated, being about fourth Of mile
distant On the crest four batteries had been erected Az
Tue oo OF The HILL Gen. Cobb with MS orgaoe anuer
cover Of long stone fence holly engaged with the
enemy who making desperate attempt to storm the
position The Geogians fought calamity and against ter.
ble odds The enemy had succeeded in forcing their way
up within forty yards Of the fence when Cooks brigade
reached the crest Of the b and in face Of deadly fire of
artillery and small arms drove them back with great loss
Our men were falling fast for were within two hundred
and fifty yards Of twenty-five thirty thousand of the
enemy; but ever fought better with more enthu.
sasm Not faered The 4sth and 9Th were ordered
down the bill to support Gen. Cobb behind the stone fence
where they remained all day. and suffered but little after
arriving there. The 43th, under Lieut. COL Wakup and
the 18th, under Lieut.. Col. McRae remained the hill
and suffered severely North boast ofno drawer
men than the of those two regiments that
day. Six different times afterwards did The enemy, with
his heavy columns attempt to drive from position
but Ut each attempt he thrown back with immense
loss leaving the Held literally black with their dead and
the 18th N. c. Lieut.. Col Bryson commanding and one
other regiment of Gen. Ransoms brigade further
% and CALAMITY did they do their duty Shortly after,
Gen. Kersbaw with South Carolina brigade, came to our
assistance The troops have enumerated composed all
of our forces engaged the left that day. far as am
Of l am satisfied did not have five thousand,
aud we have since ascertained that had both Gents.
least thousand dead the field in 'front.' and tho
wounded iust have Deeh three four times many
killing and wOnnding many men we had to fight them
with am to say that the loss Of the brigade was
about thirteen hundred Our General severely wounded
early In the action but glad that he rapidly
eonyaescDg At nine O'Clock that night the brigade was
relieved and ordered the rear to repsnish their ammu
nitiOn they having fired sixty rounds and to hold them
selves IN Readiness for the renewal of the fight the
Where all did their duty WELL it is impossible single
out any one man for praise above another.
have the honor TO be
Very respectfully
Your Didn't serv't,
E. ID. HALL. Col.
Com'dg Cooks Brigade.
70 His Exceency, 2. B. VANCE,
Governor of North-Ca-olina.