Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 25.djvu/259

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field, having returned to the regiment the day before the battle, was in command and was severely wounded."

On December i3th, the army met three divisions of Burnside's army at Fredericksburg, Virginia. At this time, General Hill oc- cupied the front line formed of two regiments of Fields' brigade, and the brigades of Archer, Lane and Fender, the latter being on the extreme left. The enemy made several attempts to advance, but were repulsed. (General A. P. Hill's report). From the nature of the ground and the entire absence of all protection against artillery, Fender's Brigade received the greatest part of the terrible fire. General Fender was himself wounded. During the temporary ab- sence of General Fender, the command of the brigade devolved upon Colonel Scales, of the I3th. General Fender, though wounded, resumed the command of his brigade as soon as his wound was dressed.

After the withdrawal of the enemy, the regiment, with Fender's brigade, went into winter quarters at Camp Gregg, below Freder- icksburg, and did picket duty near Moss Creek church. On De- cember 27th, Colonel William J. Hoke rejoined the regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel Armfield, while at home on furlough on account of a wound received at Shepherdstown, was elected solicitor, and re- signed his position in the army. Captain John Ashford was elected to fill the vacancy. The following is a copy of General Hill's order:

HEADQUARTERS LIGHT DIVISION,

CAMP BRANCH, September 24., 1862. Soldiers of the Light Division:

You have done well and I am pleased with you. You have fought in every battle from Mechanicsville to Shepherdstown, and no man can say that the Light Division was ever broken. You held the left at Manassas against overwhelming numbers, and saved the army. You saved the day at Sharpsburg, and at Shepherdstown you were selected to face a storm of round shot, shell and grape, such as I never before saw. I am proud to say to you that your services are appreciated by our general, and that you have a reputation in this army which it should be the object of every officer and private to sustain.

[Signed] A. P. HILL,

Major- General,

The regiment remained in camp until the 28th of April, 1863,