O.R.--Series I--Volume XXV/1 [S#39] April 27-May 6, 1863. The Chancellorsville Campaign.
#373 Report of Capt. T.M. Riley, 5th Ala. Infantry
May 08, 1863. Sir: (The following is the) report for Sunday, May 3, 1863.
About 6am of the 3d instant, this regiment, commanded by Col. Hall, was formed with the rest of the brigade in the 3d or rear line, and, moving forward about a mile under a heavy fire from the enemy ‘s artillery, we passed the 2d line then lying behind the log works in the woods. About this time the fearless Col. (E.A.) O’neal , who commanded the brigade, was wounded which placed Col. Hall in command of the brigade and Col. Renfro in command of this regiment. We next overtook and passed the next or first line of battle, which threw the brigade in front. Moving forward a short distance, the enemy was discovered directly in our front and we immediately opened a fire upon him, being somewhat protected by an elevation in the earth, the right wing firing at the cannoneers and the horses the occupying the earth works to the right of the Plank road, the left at a line to the enemy on the left of the road, and immediately in its front, not more than 75 paces distant. The firing was kept up for about 30 minutes when the enemy slackened his fire. The line in front of our left began to fall back and the artillery in front of our right limbered up for a retreat. We were now ordered forward to occupy the works, when Capt. Renfro, while bravely leading the advance and calling on the men to follow, fell, mortally wounded. Being the senior officer, I now took command of the regiment, and moving forward with this, the 26th Regiment, and part of some other regiment, was soon in possession of the works, with several pieces of artillery and firing upon the retreating enemy. We had occupied them but a short time when the brigade on our left (said to be Iverson’s) had fallen back and the enemy pressing upon our left flank had nearly surrounded us. We fired a few rounds, and seeing that they were too numerous for our small force, we retired, discovering about this time on our right, now in our rear, was being driven back. At this time a battery (said to be Capt. William P. Carter’s) opened upon the enemy on our left, and I ordered the men to fire into them on our right, in order to create as much confusion in their ranks as possible, which was promptly obeyed by all who heard the command. By this means we made our escape passing directly through the enemy’s lines. Going to the rear, we joined with the troops advancing to the attack, but were a second time driven back, as before, from our left, not being sufficiently supported. The regiment, which had lost many captured in these conflicts, besides those killed and wounded, was now formed on the left of the road with the remainder of the brigade, to support the troops in front, but as the enemy soon retreated, our services were not needed again that day. Late in the day we were marched to Chancellorsville, and formed a line near that place, where we remained until the enemy had re-crossed the river, when we were marched back to our old camp at Grace Church, which place we arrived on the night of the 6th instant. In this engagement officers and men acted so gallantly that it might be unjust to particularize any individual.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
T.M. Riley, Capt. Co. C, Commanding Regiment (to Capt. H.A. Whiting, Asst. Adjutant, Rodes Divison)