No. 17
Report of Maj. Gen.
John Sedgwick, U.S. Army, commanding Right Column, of engagement at
Rappahannock Station, with congratulatory orders.
NEAR BRANDY STATION,
January 3, 1864
Brigadier-General S. WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL: I respectfully submit the following report of the
operations of the Right Column of the Army of the Potomac, on the 7th of
November ultimo, at Rappahannock Station:
In compliance with the order of the general commanding, the
Fifth Corps (Major-General Sykes) and the Sixth Corps (Brigadier-General
Wright) took the positions assigned them on the left and right of the railroad
near the enemy's intrenched position at Rappahannock Station, and at 3 p.m.
pushed forward their skirmishers to the river bank on the left and right of the
general line. The enemy's skirmishers were driven to their rifle-pits. These
extended from the railroad a distance of 1,000 yards up the river upon a slope
of excellent command. Near the railroad and upon the crowning points of this
slope redoubts had been erected, which covered all approaches from the front.
This position was one of unusual strength.
During the afternoon three batteries of the Sixth Corps, two
of the Fifth Corps, and one of the Artillery Reserve maintained a vigorous fire
upon the redoubts, to which the enemy as vigorously replied. At dusk an assault
was ordered, and brilliantly executed by Brigadier-General Russell with two
brigades of his division, commanded, respectively, by Colonels Upton and Ellmaker.
The works were carried gallantly. Two brigades of the enemy, numbering over
1,700, including the brigade commanders, and 130 commissioned officers, 4
pieces of artillery, with caissons and ammunition, 2,000 stand of arms, 8
colors, and a pontoon bridge were captured in the assault.
I desire to call the attention of the general commanding to
the fact that the enemy's intrenchments were defended by a force numerically
equal to the attacking party, and to say that the officers and troops engaged
in the assault, particularly Brigadier-General Russell, Colonels Upton and
Ellmaker, and the Fifth Wisconsin and the Sixth Maine Volunteers, deserve the
highest praise that can be bestowed upon a soldier.
The casualties in my command were as follows:
Fifth Corps: Killed, 7 enlisted men; wounded, 3 officers and
42 enlisted men.*
Sixth Corps: Killed, 8 officers and 68 enlisted men;
wounded, 26 officers and 258 enlisted men.*
A list of names has already been forwarded.
For a more detailed account of the operations herein
generally described, I respectfully refer to the accompanying reports of
Major-General Sykes and Brigadier-General Wright.
I am, general, very respectfully,
Your obedient
servant,
JOHN SEDGWICK,
Major-General,
Commanding Rigid Column.
Brig. Gen. S.
WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
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ADDENDA.
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* See revised statement, p. 558
SOURCES: George William Curtis, Correspondence of
John Sedgwick, Major-General, Volume 2, p. 169-71; The War of the Rebellion:
A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,
Series I, Volume 29, Part 1 (Serial No. 48), p. 574-5
