There are two certificates of Disability for Discharge, dated April 21, 1864, in the records for Private John McLaughlin, Company A, wounded on May 2, that record:
“ . . . has been unfit for duty . . . because of amputation of right thigh on 7th [sic] May 1863 on battle field of Chancellorsville for gunshot wound received in battle on same day. . . “
Another document states the amputation was conducted by Surgeons Black and Wilkerson at Core Hospital, Va. of wound received May 2.
I suspect that the wounded were treated in the field and transferred off to Richmond hospitals as transportation became available. I have not been able to find another reference to a “Core Hospital.”
…..
R. H. Haynes, 2nd Sergeant, Company L. 3rd Alabama Infantry regiment, admitted Receiving & Wayside Hospital, Richmond, Va. May 6, 1863 and transferred that day to Chimborazo with a gunshot wound, transferred to Danville, May 18, returned to duty July 21, 1863
M311: Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Alabama
Chancellorsville, VA after battle report:
No. 371.
Report of Capt. M. F. Bonham, Third Alabama Infantry.
CAMP NEAR GROVE CHURCH, VA.,
May 9, 1863.
COL.: The Third Alabama was formed on the 29th ultimo, at 9
a. m., and moved to brigade headquarters; thence moved to its position
in the grove of pines below Hamilton's Crossing, occupying the right
of the line, which position it reached at 12 m. Here Col. [C. A.]
Battle was seriously injured by his horse rearing and falling in a ditch
so far disabling him that I took command.
At 3.30 a. m. on the 30th, moved 1 mile to the right, in an open field,
behind the slight breastworks there prepared. There not being room for
the brigade, the seven right companies of the regiment were thrown
back under cover of the bluff of [Massaponax] Creek, where many shell
from the enemy's batteries across the river passed over and near us, but
did no harm.
May 1, at 3.30 a. m., roused and moved forward above Fredericksburg
in the direction of the United States Ford, reaching a point on the
Plank road diagonally opposite the enemy's lines at 1 p. m, where
knapsacks were left and regiment prepared for action. Formed in line
of battle, and advanced to the right of the road, where Col. Battle,
who had returned, was again injured by leaping a ditch, which wrenched
his back so severely, that he was compelled to stone. After passing
through a field and reaching another road, we marched by the left flank,
inclined to the right, and gained our paction in the second line,
immediately behind ---- battery.
At 6 p.m. again put in motion, regained the Plank road, followed it 3
miles, and bivouacked for the night.
May 2, moved at sunrise up the plank road, and, after a circuitous march
of nine hours, in which many men fainted and fell by the roadside,
formed, in line of battle on the Plank road, in the enemy's rear. The
dispositions for battle having been made, at 6 p.m. we advanced, the
right of the Third [Alabama] resting on the road. We advanced with
order and regularity through the woods half a mile; encountered the
enemy's first line behind a breastwork of fallen timber, which was
broken and routed with[out] our movement being a moment checked.
The firing of my command was executed in excellent order, the front
line firing and loading as they marched on, while the rear came to the
front, fired and loaded as the march continued. Leaping over the
breastworks we swept onward and over aline of intrenchments, routing
the enemy, capturing one cannon and two caissons, and, through that fire
of shell, grape, canister, and musketry, moved forward to a second and
stronger line of intrenchments, which were speedily occupied, the enemy
retiring in disorder after a few rounds. At this point we captured two
cannon and one stand of colors. Here, after having driven the enemy 1
1/2 miles without a moment's check, darkens prevented farther pursuit.
The regiment was soon collected and casualties ascertained to be slight.
Officers and men, veterans of two yards and new recruits, behaved with
the greatest gallantry throughout the charge. The color-bearer, Sergt.
Hendrix Hardy, Company G, was particularly distinguished for his
daring.
The regiment bivouacked for the night behind the intrenchments, the
right of their Third resting, as before, on the Plank road.
May 3, at sunrise, many shell passed over and exploded near us, but
resulted in no further casualties. At 7 a. m., being in the third line, we
began the advance through the thick undergrowth to the left of the road,
our right resting still on the road. At a distance of 600 yards, we came
up with the second line (Trimble's division), which, under the deadly
fire of solid shot, shell, grape, and canister, refused to advance. We
marched boldly over them, and halted momentarily 100 yards in
advance, to enable the left of the brigade to come up. Here the first line
came running back in disorder, with fearful reports of the carnage
farther to the front. Having now passed from the third and reserve line
to the front, we pushed rapidly forward, broke the enemy's line behind
a breastwork of fallen timber, over which we passed. Being now
exposed to a most furious storm of solid shot, shell, and grape., directed
up and bordering on the road, we pressed steadily forward toward the
enemy's batteries. The crashing of trees and storm of shot were fearful,
but did not check our advance. Nearing the batteries, a part of the
First Battalion crossed the road and advanced directly in front of the
batteries, while the main body gained a slight cover in the woods to the
left, from which a continuous fire was kept on their infantry and artillery.
This position was stubbornly maintained until a second line, coming up
to our support, pierced our brigade near the center and then, retired,
having rendered no material assistance, but deranging our line by the
movement, and completely, exposing its left by their withdrawal.
Having now penetrated deep into the enemy's lines; having a heavy
force immediately in front, and flanked on the left, while the battle still
raged to our rear on the right, to avoid capture I slowly withdrew to the
line of breastworks carried early in the day. The men were exhausted
from our rapid charge, were suffering from hunger, and had been
somewhat separated by the rapid movements of the morning, but were
soon collected, and reseed forward to the battle, in which they remained
until the enemy had been driven in confusion from their stronghold.
In the engagements of the 2d and 3d instant, there were individual
instances of bravery and heroic endurance after wounds had been
received, but the brief space of a report levees me no room to mention
so many. The conduct of many officers in cheering on their commands
was most praiseworthy, and contributed much to our success. Under
these circumstances even new recruits as fought baldly as tried veterans.
The evening of the 3d, the 3th and 5th, and morning of the 6th we
remained behind the trenches fronting the Plank road, ont he plateau
occupied by the enemy's batteries during the engagement of the 3d.
At 2 p.m., 6th instant, we formed, and began the rapid march to our old
camp, which we reached at 10.30 p.m. having plunged in mud and
miry ruts and waded swollen streams, thus accomplishing the most
arduously march of the war. About half my command arrived at night;
the others came in early in the morning of the 7th instant.
M. F. BONHAM,
Capt., Cmdg. Third Regt. Alabama Volunteers.
Source: Official Records Series I. Vol. 25. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 39