Payne's Farm

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report the movements and operations of my command from November 26, 1863, to this date, as required by circular orders of this date from division headquarters. The command marched from Brandy Station at 8 a.m., November 26, and arrived at Jacobs' Ford, on the Rapidan River, at 2 p.m. Before starting from Brandy Station, 200 men were detailed from the One hundred and tenth Ohio Infantry, under command of Maj. O. H. Binkley, as corps train guard. About 4 p.m. the troops crossed the ford and marched about 3 miles on a road leading to the turnpike road from Orange Court-House to Fredericksburg. The troops were then counter-marched to within 14 miles of the ford, where they bivouacked for the night. My brigade marched in the rear of the Third Brigade, which was the advance of the division on that day.

The march was resumed at 7 a.m., November 27, and toward the turnpike road above named. On this day the First Brigade was in advance of the division and the Second Brigade marched in its rear. Brisk firing commenced in the advance about 12 m., between the enemy and the Second Division of the Third Corps. After some delay my brigade was ordered by Brigadier-General Carr into the woods, with directions to form upon the left of the First Brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General Morris. On account of the density of the undergrowth in the woods and the absence of roads, it was with some difficulty that I succeeded in reaching the position designated.

Upon arriving in the vicinity of the enemy's fire, I discovered they occupied a hill to my front upon the slope of which were posted the troops of General Morris' brigade. I determined at once to carry the hill and occupy it, deeming it the only defensible position that could then be taken. As I was marching my troops by the left flank, and along the hollow behind the hill, I ordered the two advance regiments (One hundred and tenth and One hundred and twenty-second Ohio), as soon as they had become unmasked, upon General Morris' left, to move by the right flank, in line of battle, carry the crest of the hill, and take post behind a fence upon its summit. The Sixth Maryland and One hundred and thirty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry Regiments were ordered to file in rear of the two Ohio regiments, and take position upon their left, from right to left, in the order named. The hill was carried and the fence gained with but slight loss. On account of misunderstanding an order, the One hundred and twenty-second and One hundred and tenth Ohio Regiments momentarily fell back a short distance, but, upon being ordered back, retook their position and became immediately engaged with a heavy force of the enemy.

The right of the brigade was found to be in advance of the First Brigade, leaving it in great danger of being turned by the enemy. I promptly reported this fact to General Morris, and urged him to advance his line, and also occupy the crest of the hill, which he did after a slight delay. The Ohio regiments maintained their position until near dark, when, their ammunition becoming exhausted, they were relieved. The Sixth Maryland was under a heavy fire from the commencement of the action until near its close, and maintained its ground gallantly.

Two assaults were made upon my line, the first in front of the Sixth Maryland and the second in front of the One hundred and thirty-eighth Pennsylvania. The enemy was formed in columns of attack not less than three regiments deep. He was both times repulsed, with very heavy loss. During these assaults Cols. John W. Horn, of the Sixth Maryland, and M. R. McClennan, of the One hundred and thirty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry Regiments distinguished themselves by their superior courage and gallantry.

The Sixth Maryland remained in its position until the battle was about ended. It was relieved about 6 p.m. Its supply of ammunition was also exhausted. The One hundred and thirty-eighth Pennsylvania was withdrawn at night, and after the close of the engagement. The brigade bivouacked for the night a short distance to the rear of the battle-ground. The men were supplied with ammunition immediately upon their withdrawal.

The enemy's loss in my front was very heavy. His killed and wounded were left upon the field.

During the engagement, with rare exceptions, the officers and men behaved gallantly and deserve high commendation. I take pleasure in mentioning the uniform good conduct of Col. W. H. Ball, One hundred and twenty-second Ohio; Lieut. Col. W. N. Foster, One hundred and tenth Ohio; Col. J. W. Horn, Sixth Maryland, and Col. M. R. McClennan, One hundred and thirty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, regimental commanders. They remained at their posts, and with skill and bravery urged on their men. Lieut. Col. M.M. Granger, Maj. J. C. Hill, Captains Sells, Ross, Cornyn, Guss, Walter, Stewart, Prentiss, Bradshaw, Martin, Beaver, Rouzer, Spangler, Moore, McElwain, and many others deserve high commendation.

Colonel McClennan was severely wounded in the foot late in the action, and was obliged to leave the field. Lieut. James A. Fox, One hundred and tenth Ohio Infantry, was killed. He commanded a company, and, as upon former occasions, distinguished himself. He rose from the ranks to his position in the army. He was not only brave, but an accomplished gentleman and soldier. He commanded the esteem of all who knew him. His loss will be deeply deplored by his many friends. The total killed in my brigade was 1 officer and 32 enlisted men; wounded, 7 officers and 137 enlisted men. A list of the casualties by regiments is hereto appended.

On the morning of the 28th, the enemy having retreated, the brigade was marched to a point between the plank and turnpike roads leading from Fredericksburg to Orange Court-House. A short halt was made near Robertson's Tavern. The troops were put in position facing the enemy, where he was strongly posted behind Mine Run, between us and Orange Court-House and covering the two roads named. The troops bivouacked in their position until 2 p.m., November 29, when my brigade, under the direction of Brigadier-General Carr, was formed for an attack in line of battle, and in the rear of the Third Brigade, Third Division, Third Army Corps (Colonel Smith). The attack was not made.

At 4 a.m., November 30, was marched to the left upon the plank road and again formed as before, for an attack, which was again abandoned. About 2 p.m. the brigade, with the other troops of the division, was marched to its late position near the center of the whole line. The troops bivouacked in this position until 7 p.m., December 1, 1863, when orders were received from Brigadier-General Carr to march in advance of the division. The troops marched to the Rapidan River, and crossed at Culpeper Ford about 4 a.m., December 2. The march was resumed about 12 m. toward Brandy Station. The troops bivouacked about sundown near Richardsville. At 12 o'clock midnight the march was resumed for Brandy Station, at which place the brigade arrived about 6 a.m., December 3, and went into camp, where it still remains.

During the march temporary delays were occasioned by getting upon the wrong road, and also by artillery and teams stalling on bad roads. This latter was particularly the case upon the march to Culpeper Ford, on the night of the 1st instant.

On the entire campaign my orders were received from Brigadier-General Carr, commanding division.

I beg further to report that many sick were conveyed from Brandy Station in ambulances, to their great injury and the inconvenience of the troops. The ambulances being required for the conveyance of the wounded, many of these men, although unable to perform the day and night marches, had to be sent to their regiments.

The wounded received all possible care and attention at the hands of the medical officers. Surg. C. P. Harrington, chief surgeon of the brigade, Assistant Surgeons Richards, Bryant, Owen, Cady, Thornton, and Foreman, were actively engaged in the care of the wounded. The last named remained upon the field during the engagement of the 27th of November, and amid the danger rendered important service to the severely wounded.

In conclusion, I beg to acknowledge the important service rendered by Lieut. William A. Hathaway, acting assistant adjutant-general, Lieut. Samuel J. Yarger, acting assistant inspector-general, and Lieuts. Thomas S. Black and E. S. Norvell, acting aides-de-camp on my staff. During the engagement they each displayed cool courage and excellent skill. For their prompt action in conveying orders upon the field, and skill exhibited in posting troops, I cannot too highly commend them. They also deserve commendation for their efficiency in the movement of troops, upon the march, during the entire campaign.

I am, lieutenant, with high esteem, your obedient and humble servant,