No. 24.
Report of Brig. Gen. Hartsuff, U. S. Army, commanding Third Brigade.
Hdqrs. 3d Brig., 2d Div., 3d Army Corps, Army of Va.,
August 13, 1862.
Captain: I have the honor to state that on the afternoon of the 9th instant I was ordered from the position I had occupied since early morning on the Madison road to move to the front with my brigade, following General Tower’s. After marching about 2 miles I ordered knapsacks to be unslung and left under a guard from each regiment in a field near the road. Near the battle-field I could move only very slowly, the road been much obstructed by troops and wagons. I halted my command about half a mile in rear of the position I occupied during the night, the road being blocked beyond.
Receiving instructions from Captain Williams, division assistant adjutant-general, where my command was to be placed, I marched them to it, receiving while going to the position and for some time after arriving there the fire of a battery of the enemy at less than 300 yards. Two of my regiments became temporarily separated from the rest by the confusion ensuing on the unexpected fire, but remained perfectly unbroken, and soon after joined me. I first took position in close column by division about 250 yards in rear of the center of General Tower’s line, and when the fire of the enemy’s battery was directed toward my position I moved my brigade a few yards beyond the crest of a hill, which sheltered them from the fire, and changed my direction so as to face the fire. In this position I remained until 3.30 a.m., when by General McDowell’s directions I moved about half a mile to the rear.
A list of the casualties from the enemy’s fire was sent to division headquarters to-day, of which the following is a summary: Two killed, 11 wounded, 4 missing. Total, 17.
Officers and men behaved under the unexpected and close fire with very commendable coolness; ranks were unbroken, and there was no confusion.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. L. HARTSUFF,
Brigadier-General.
Captain Williams, Assistant Adjutant-General.