Morgan's:

Lees Creek
Camp at Olivers December 9th 1862

Captain

In obedience to the order of Colonel McRae my regiment occupied the extreme left of McRaes Brigade to the right of the road in a formation by echelon, in expectation of an attack as I was told, by the enemy approaching from the direction of Cane Hill. when the firing of artillery commenced in front of General Fagans Brigade I was ordered to “about face,” unite my regiment with Colonel McNielles, [and] advance and occupy the crest of the hill until then in my rear.

I was then ordered to move to the support of Colonel Glenn who occupied our “McRaes” right now become the left. At the road I met General Shoup who directed me to march to the support of General Fagans Brigade on our right now engaged with the enemy to which I was directed by the rapid discharge of musketry. Advancing, I was met by General Fagan who directed me to move my Regiment rapidly to his support. Advancing through the brush which covered my front, at the orchard fence I met Colonel Pleasants Regiment and the other troops of General Fagans Brigade retiring to the timber having driven the enemy across the field and under the cover of their batteries. I then posted my regiment by the orchard fence where I was directed by General Shoup to await an attack momentarily expected. He then directed me to forward a company of skirmishers and retire my regiment to a more advantageous position, and await the enemys advance. I retired into the timber about 100 yards from the fence, and under a heavy cross fire of artillery and musketry, directed the men to lie down and await their appearance on the crest of the hill by the house in the orchard and through the woodlot below where my skirmishers were engaging them. At this moment part of General Fagans Brigade of whose presence in my rear I was not until that moment apprised charged through part of my line entering the wood lot below between me and my skirmishers who were annoying the advancing enemy.

I held my position as a supporting force until General Fagans Brigade retired having again driven the enemy under cover of their batteries. As they retired I advanced to the orchard and woodlot fence to repel another attack which General Shoup informed me was momentarily expected. Remaining here a short time I was directed by General Shoup to advance across the wood lot to the farther fence some 300 yards and in that position await the attack. Colonel Pleasants Regiment also advanced to the position with me occupying my left. I remained here until I was satisfied they intended no attack with their infantry; and until they obtained well our range with case and canister when I retired to the outer fence and occupied my original position. General Shoup then directed me to form my regiment and part of Colonel Pleasants obliquely to our then position in the timber to repel an expected effort to turn our right flank. Occupying this position I heard troops on my right and found Colonel Adams some 100 yards from me in the brush and asked him to unite with me in holding this position. We were soon joined by General Fagan who ordered us to the left where the rapid explosions of musketry told the fight was then raging. At the main road our advance was met by General Shoup who ordered us to return to the same oblique line on our right in which position I remained until about 12 o’clock midnight when I was ordered off the field.

The regiment under trying circumstances – receiving a heavy fire of artillery and most galling fire of musketry – with out the possibility of returning it remained firm executing all orders to advance and retire promptly and in good order. At one time only – at that time the firing had ceased – were my two left companies thrown into momentary confusion by part of General Fagans Brigade retiring through those two companies of my advancing line.

To Lieutenant Colonel [John C.] Wright, Major [Fountain P.] Yell and Adjutant [Paul R.] Carrington am I indebted for the degree of steadiness the regiment maintained. They multiplied their efforts as danger increased, being ever present in the most exposed positions encouraging and steadying the men. I regret that only my skirmishers were engaged. This company [under] Captain [Samuel] Gibson behaved admirably and suffered severely. I forward a list of casualties. The line officers with one or two trifling exceptions discharged their duty well. I can only add that it will require one or two fights to learn file closers all their duty.

I am respectfully
A S Morgan Colonel
Commanding Morgans Regiment
McRaes Brigade

Captain Hanks AAAG
McRaes Brigade