O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXV/1 [S# 39]
APRIL 27-MAY 6, 1863
The Chancellorsville Campaign. No. 388
Reports of Brig. Gen. Alfred Iverson,
C. S. Army, commanding brigade

HEADQUARTERS IVERSON'S BRIGADE,
May 13, 1863

SIR: [Inclosed find] report of operations of Iverson's brigade from the morning of April 29 to the conclusion of the battle of the Wilderness, May 2.

I have the honor to report that my brigade, pursuant to order from Brigadier-General Rodes, commanding division, moved from its camp near Grace Church about 8 a.m. on the morning of April 29, and occupied the line of the railroad to the left of Hamilton's Crossing, connecting with the right of General Early's division. It remained in this position (the enemy being in our front on this side of the river) until before day on the morning of May 1, when it was ordered to move on the Military road, following the brigade of General Ramseur, in the direction of Chancellorsville. Arrived at intrenchments constructed by Major-General Anderson above Fredericksburg, in the neighborhood of Banks' Ford, it rested till evening, and then moved forward on the Plank road toward Chancellorsville, still following the brigade of General Ramseur. Heavy firing was heard on the right of the road in the direction of the old turnpike, and, by order of General Rodes, skirmishers were thrown out to the right to protect the flank. About 3 miles from Chancellorsville, the brigade of General Ramseur having formed line of battle to the front on the left of the road, my brigade was moved forward by the right flank in line of battle parallel to the road.

While in this position, several men were killed and wounded by the fire of the enemy's skirmishers. Receiving an order to advance, we found the enemy retiring his line of skirmishers, and General Rodes then ordered me to hold a position in the woods, with skirmishers advanced as near the enemy as possible. This was done, my skirmishers driving in those in their front until they found the enemy contesting a position on the old turnpike road. In the engagement between the skirmishers, about a dozen prisoners were taken by us. I was ordered at sundown to withdraw from my position and march in the direction of Chancellorsville, and bivouacked on the road about 1 mile from that place. Immediately after daylight on the morning of May 2, I was directed by General Rodes to relieve the brigade of General Ramseur, then posted in the front and to the right of the Plank road leading into Chancellorsville. I passed the point occupied by General Ramseur without perceiving it, owing to his being posted in dense woods and the courier who had been directed to show me the position not being on the spot where I expected to find him, and came in sight of the enemy about 400 yards distant, whom I mistook for General Ramseur's troops till they saluted me with a shower of Minie balls, followed by canister, wounding 4 or 5 men of the Twenty-third North Carolina troops. The brigade was moved by the right flank into the woods, and then by the rear of the column back to the position of General Ramseur, where I remained until 10 o'clock, when an order was received from General Rodes to follow his division, which had moved several hours before, around toward the rear of the enemy by the Catharpin road.

I informed General Archer, who was on the line in my rear, that I was about to uncover his front, but would leave my skirmishers there hotly engaged till he could relieve them. By so doing I deprived myself of the invaluable services of that trained and practiced corps, as they could not overtake me till after the fight of that day. I followed the division of General Trimble, and came up with General Rodes about 4 p.m., and was posted on the extreme left, in the front line. Immediately after getting into position, the line moved forward to the battle of the Wilderness. Advancing through the dense and tangled undergrowth in the following order--Fifth North Carolina on the right, connecting with Rodes' brigade; Twelfth North Carolina next, then the Twentieth North Carolina, and on the left the Twenty-third North Carolina, moving by the flank--the skirmishers soon engaged, and the whole pressed hotly and quickly to the attack. The enemy seemed to be completely taken by surprise, and made no organized resistance. At several points regiments appeared, but were quickly dispersed. Their line of intrenchments were taken by my brigade completely in rear, and the enemy broke and streamed over the hills toward Chancellorsville. The second line, commanded by Brigadier-General Colston, closed in with us at this point, and caused great confusion, the two lines rushing forward pell-mell upon the enemy, and becoming mingled in almost inextricable confusion, no officer being able to tell what men he commanded. A battery played upon us until we approached very close, and then retired, leaving one gun on the ground passed over by the Fifth North Carolina.

The gallant and lamented Maj. D. P. Rowe, commanding the Twelfth North Carolina, fell, mortally wounded, in the first of the fight, a noble sacrifice to his country's cause.

The whole affair from the moment of attack was a wild scene of triumph on our part. Hungry men seized provisions as they passed the camps of the enemy, and rushed forward, eating, shouting, and firing. A force of the enemy's cavalry advanced to charge, but were sent fleeing to the rear, the Yankee officers leading their men in retreat. The enemy were driven over a mile before a halt was ordered, and night was falling upon us.

After much labor the brigade--divided in many portions by the celerity of the movement and the confusion caused by the second line closing up with us--was collected together and moved to the rear, to take post in the third line of battle for the following morning.

I regret to say that Col. T. M. Garrett, Fifth North Carolina, was severely wounded by a shot from some of our own troops at the close of the engagement. I observed him during the evening in front of his regiment, impetuously leading it to the fight and stimulating his men by his example. Col. D. H. Christie led his splendid regiment with calm and confident courage, and Col. T. F. Toon earned well-deserved distinction for his courage and conduct in this the first fight of his regiment since his promotion to the colonelcy. I refer you to the reports of these officers for mention of distinguished acts of gallantry in their respective commands. The Twelfth North Carolina, though deprived early of their gallant leader (Major Rowe), made themselves a name which they have since well sustained in the bloody fight of Chancellorsville. I can proudly say of the whole brigade there is no fault to find.

I find it impossible to divide the casualties of the series of skirmishes and battles, and will therefore inclose the total, ending with day of our withdrawal from Chancellorsville.(*)

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALFRED IVERSON,
Brigadier-General
Capt. G. PEYTON,
Assistant Adjutant-General

[Sources: The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies;
Series I, 1-53; Series II, 1-8; Series III, 1-5; Series IV, 1-4 (1880 - 1901)]