APRIL 27-MAY 6, 1863.–The Chancellorsville Campaign.
No. 375.–Reports of Col. Samuel B. Pickens, Twelfth Alabama Infantry.
BATTLE-FIELD,
May 5, 1863.
CAPTAIN: In obedience to orders, I make the following report: About 5.30 p.m., May 2, the Twelfth Alabama Regiment was formed into line of battle, and ordered forward with the remainder of the brigade. We had advanced about 500 yards when we received a heavy volley from the enemy. The command "Charge" was immediately given; the regiment rushed in, driving the enemy before them rapidly. The haste in which the pursuit was kept up seemed to strike terror into the enemy, as they fled, doing comparatively little injury. We had driven them about 1½ miles, when the brigade commander ordered me to halt my regiment, to let the second line of battle go in advance, as all of us were much exhausted. I succeeded in halting about 30 of my men, <ar39_961> but the others pressed onward. I left the few men I had halted under an officer, and pressed on after the remainder of the regiment, but I went half a mile before I overtook them; they had passed over two formidable works, and assisted in taking several pieces of artillery. Colors of the Twelfth Alabama Regiment were about the first in the breastworks. When I joined them, I found not only my men, but officers and men from every regiment in the brigade. Being the senior officer present, I formed them all (those from other regiments also) into line, and marched them back about half a mile where a portion of the brigade had already been formed, that being the place we were ordered to form. The brigade commander soon formed the brigade into line, and marched us into camp for the night.