Fiftieth Virginia Infantry

Chancellorsville, VA after battle report:

No. 409.

Report of Maj. L. J. Perkins, Fiftieth Virginia Infantry.

CAMP NEAR CHANCELLORSVILLE, VA.,
May 7, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit to you the report of the part taken by
this regiment in the several battles commencing on Saturday, May 2.

About 10 a. m., Saturday, this regiment, under the command of Col.
Alexander S. Vandeventer, moved from the United States Furnace [?]
with the balance of Lieut. Gen. T. J. Jackson's command, and
moved in rear of the enemy, about 5 miles from Chancellorsville, Va.,
about 4 p.m., when we formed in line of battle. The Fiftieth Virginia
Regt. formed on the right of Brig. Gen. J. R. Jones'
brigade, and were ordered to move upon the enemy, and soon came in
contact with him, after marching through a dense wood, and opened fire
upon him. Marching steadily forward, we drove him to his breastworks,
where he made a stubborn resistance, but we continued forward, and he
was soon put to flight, and at this point we captured a number of
prisoners.

At this juncture I wish to commend particularly Capt. William S.
Hannah, Company G, and Color Sergeant Joseph H. Pickle, Company
D, for their gallantry--and all, officers and men, moved forward in their
country's defense. At this point Capt. Hannah first laid his hands on
the enemy's battery, and Sergeant Pickle planted his colors over it.

Still moving forward about 1 mile, and driving the enemy before us,
darkness coming upon us, we were compelled to abandon our pursuit,
and, while forming our men, were exposed to a severe shelling. We
remained in line of battle during the night, but no demonstration was
made upon our line by the enemy.

Early next morning our lines were again subjected to a heavy fire of
grape, canister, and shell from the enemy's batteries planted on the hill
at Chancellorsville, causing some casualties. Our men stood their ground
unflinchingly for nearly two hours, when we were again ordered to the
front, and were participants in the gallant charges made upon the almost
impregnable works of the enemy on the Chancellor heights, each time
driving him from his selected position, and the second time entirely
dislodging him and driving him from his works.

In charging the heights, the brave Capt. Hannah (mentioned before for
his gallant conduct in the fight the evening previous) was no less
conspicuous in the fight of to-day. While leading the regiment on the
hill, he received three severe and dangerous wounds, and near the same
time the brave Pickle received a wound, and was compelled to retire.

Frank W. Kelly, senior captain of the regiment, deserves a high
compliment for his untiring energy and bravery in assisting in
commanding the regiment in the terrible strife, and the officers and men
deserve the highest praise for their coolness and undaunted courage.

L. J. PERKINS,
Maj., Cmdg. Fiftieth Virginia Regt.

Capt. SAMUEL J. C. MOORE,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Jones' brigade.

Source: Official Records Series I. Vol. 25. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 39