SOUTHERN HISTORICAL SOCIETY PAPERS.
General R. E. Rodes' Report of the Battle of Chancellorsville.
[The following report has never been in print so far as we have been able to ascertain, and we feel sure that military men on both sides will be glad to see the report of this gallant soldier who bore so conspicuous a part in the great flank movement, and of whom Stonewall Jackson said, before his death, "General Rodes' promotion should date from Chancellorsville." Whether this recommendation of the dying chieftain was ever conveyed to the authorities at Richmond, we know not; but General Rodes' commission as Major-General did date from Chancellorsville—May 2d, 1863.]
REPORT.
Major A. S. Pendleton:
Major—I have the honor to make the subjoined report of the part taken in the engagement at Chancellorsville, and the movements that preceded it, by the division of Major-General D. H. Hill, then under my command, composed of the brigades of Doles, Colquitt, Iverson, Ramseur and Rodes.
Early on the morning of Wednesday, April 29th, it being announced that the Federal army had crossed the Rappahannock river, I marched from Grace church to Hamilton's crossing, and was placed in position on the extreme right of the army, extending perpendicular to the railroad, to Massaponax creek. A portion of Ramseur's brigade being at the time on picket on the river, he was ordered with the whole of his brigade to occupy the south side of the creek, guarding the ford near its mouth. My line was strongly and rapidly fortified by the troops, and held until the morning of 1st of May, without molestation, except from the artillery fire of the enemy.
Much credit is due to Colonel J. Thompson Brown and Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas H. Carter, of the artillery, for their energy and judgment in assisting to render this line impregnable to as-
