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Re: Taliaferro's or Stonewall Brigade

Twenty-seventh Virginia Infantry

Cedar Mountain, VA after action report:

No. 35.
Report of Capt. Charles L. Haynes, Twenty-seventh Virginia Infantry.

CAMP NEAR GORDONSVILLE, VA., August 13, 1862.

SIR: I respectfully submit the following as a report of the part my regiment
took in the battle of the 9th instant near Ripley's Station, in Culpeper
County, Virginia:

In placing the brigade in line of battle my regiment occupied the
extreme right, connecting with the line of the Second Brigade and supported
on the left by the Thirty-third Virginia Volunteers. After having formed in
line of battle we remained for some time under a heavy fire of shot and shell
from the enemy's artillery. I then, under orders, advanced my regiment in
line with the brigade through a dense forest, with heavy undergrowth of
brush and much fallen timber, to the fence dividing the woodland from a
cleared field. Owing to the density of the forest, the enemy, who was in line
of battle directly in front of us, was not discovered until he fired upon us.
I then ordered my regiment to advance to the fence and return the fire. This
was promptly done and was kept up for some time with such effect that two
regiments of the enemy, which immediately confronted us, commenced
falling back rapidly in such disorder. However, just as we had succeeded in
repelling the enemy in front of us, it was discovered that the regiment which
supported us on the right had been driven back, and the enemy were rapidly
advancing on our right, cross-firing us and endeavoring to get in our rear.
Here the fire was very heavy. I lost 3 men killed and 1 wounded, and not
having sufficient force to drive back the enemy and hold my position, the
regiment was compelled to fall back. This, on account of thick brush and
fallen timber that covered the ground, caused the regiment to scatter
considerably. After retreating about 150 yards we met a brigade (which I
took to be Branch's) coming to our support. I fell immediately in rear of this
brigade. I attempted to rally my regiment. In this I only partially succeeded.
I then proceeded to the main road leading to the battle-field, arriving here
just as Gen. Jackson was passing. The detached parts of companies which
I had with me here gave a cheer, and at the personal order of Gen.
Jackson followed him again to the battle-field. After this the regiment did not
appear as a regiment but acted in detachments, some connecting themselves
with other regiments, others going in with squads from different regiments,
some detailed or ordered back in charge of prisoners, which they had
assisted in capturing.

While every member of the regiment who went into the fight, both officers
and men, acted nobly and gallantly, still the conspicuous conduct of some of
the officers and men after the regiment became broken and was acting in
independent squads, deserves to be particularly noticed.

Capt. P.F. Frazer, of Company E, individually took a Yankee captain, a
sergeant, and two privates while they were retreating from our forces, and
delivered them in person, and without any other guard than himself, to
Gen. Jackson.

Lieut. A.M. Edgar, of Company E, Color Sergt. W.H. Powell, Sergt. C.L.
Davis, and Dr. J.B. Patton, surgeon's stewards [sic], only two of the party
having fire-arms, one having the colors and the lieutenant his sword, at the
instance of Lieut.-Col. Gardner went beyond our lines after the fight
and captured a Yankee picket of 1 sergeant and 12 privates, all of whom
were armed when they were captured. They brought them to the Fourth
Virginia Volunteers and delivered them to the guard.

My regiment went into the battle with less than 130 men rank and file. Loss,
3 killed, and 1 wounded.

Very respectfully,

C.L. HAYNES,
Capt., Commanding Twenty-seventh Virginia Regiment.

Capt. J.H. FULTON,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records
PAGE 196-16 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. [CHAP. XXIV.
[Series I. Vol. 12. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 16.]

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