Rappahannock Station
Judson Bradley
Saturday 7
Called in from picket early this A.M. - at 5. Marched towards Rappahannock Station. Found the R.R. all torn up. We had a batter this P.M. & report says we have whipped them badly.
Sunday 8
We were victorious yesterday. Captured 1200 or 1500 prisoners. Many officers. Loss 75 killed & 250 wounded. Advanced early this A.M. Stoped [sic] before noon & here we are. Don’t know where.
H.M. Abbott
Saturday, November 7, 1863
14 miles we had Revillee at 4 AM. + formed line + moved at dy light (6 AM) we [marched] to [near] Rappahannock Station 14 miles when we unexpectedly found the Rebs. We had quite a sharp fight with them + they fell back across the River we took 7 [pieces] of [cannon] + 16 hundred Prisoners [mostly] NC + Louisianna [Snaps?] we expect to [???] to [no?] [?????] + [???] the [???]
Sunday, November 8, 1863
6 miles Had Revilee at 4 AM + marched about 5 AM we moved about 6 miles to Kelley ford we did not cross the River all the corps but our Brigade + Shulers [crossed]. our Brigade were on Guard over the wagon park
Oliver Edwards
We arrived at Fairfax Station, Va. and joined our old command in front of Lee. Meade and Lee seemed to be moving so as to force an attack from their enemy, and Lee finally finding the object of his advance frustrated, fell back slowly -destroying the railroad- and crossed the Rappahannock, going into winter quarters at Culpepper and Brandy Station. Lee seemed to have no idea that Meade would attack or attempt to cross the river and he left his bridge complete over the river. The lay of the land on the north side of the river formed a very strong “Tete de Pont” and the natural strength was increased by breastworks and redoubts. Nov. 7th Sedgwick advanced on Rappahannock Station with the 5th and 6th Corps, while the 2nd and 3rd Corps were to force a crossing at Kelly’s Ford. This was a surprise to Lee, as
[page 68]the sending of the 11th and 12th Corps west caused Lee to believe there would be no real attack on him. Sedgwick found the enemy in force near and at their fortified Tete de Pont, and by noon the firing became heavy. By 2 P.M. the 37th was under fire and in support of a battery closely engaged. The Tete de Pont was held by two of Lee’s best brigades, and thus defended seemed to be almost impregnable to assault without the use of heavy guns, but Gen. David A. Russell -our Bayard- asked permission to assault with the 1st division to the attack, and rode over the breastwork; in forcing the obstructions and climbing the breastworks Russell’s men lost their formation and entered the enemy’s works much disordered. Then the cry went up “rally on Gen. Russell”, but Russell replied “rally on the rebels” and set them with the example. The fight became hand to hand and desperate, but with Russell’s inspiring voice and example nothing could withstand his men, and in a few minutes, with the assistance of the 5th Corps skirmishers, more than three fourths of the enemy’s two brigades were captured with eight battle flags, and all their artillery engaged. The 2nd and 3rd Corps under Gen. French forced a crossing at Kelly’s Ford, Birney’s Division fording the river and carrying the enemy’s breastworks by assault, capturing many prisoners.