The following is copied from "The War of the Rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. / Series 1 - Volume 21" Govt. Print. Off. 1888. This is Capt. James A. Hall's report on the Battle of Fredericksburg. Capt. Hall commanded the Second Maine Battery.

Report of Capt. James A. Hall, Second Maine Battery. Near Falmouth, Va. December 18 1862.

Captain: I beg leave to submit the following, as a report of the operations of my battery in the engagement on the south side of the Rappahannock, on Saturday, December 13, 1862:

The battery was ordered into position by Colonel Wainwright, at 9a.m., in the cornfield on the south of the Plank road, and on the left of General Gibbonís division, to support its left flank. A battery of the enemy at the time was playing upon us, and did us considerable harm for a short time; but, as we opened upon them with shell, they soon ceased firing, or turned their fire in another direction. This battery was 1,600 yards diagonally on our right flank. As there was considerable smoke, it was difficult to tell the effect of our shots upon them. As the heavy mist which hung over the field cleared away, I found I was exposed to a cross-fire from a battery of the enemy, 700 yards directly on our left flank, which opened with a rapid and welldirected fire of solid shot, which was very galling. After firing for some thirty minutes, I was ordered to cease, by order of General Reynolds, as we were firing over our line of infantry.

We did not open on the battery on our left flank, there being amass of our own troops intervening; besides, there were other batteries farther to our left, which opened upon it, and soon caused it to change position.

By order of General Gibbon, I sent my caissons back across the road, under cover, however, until a limber chest of one of them had been blown up. The guns were kept in position, firing only occasionally into the woods, until 2p.m., when we commenced shelling the woods in front of us, where our infantry were about to advance, and also fired some 60 rounds at the battery which was playing upon General Meadeís left flank as his division advanced.

This battery of the enemy opened with ten guns, which were engaged by some forty from our lines, making it difficult to tell the effect of anyone of our batteries, but the enemyís guns were soon silenced, and three of their caissons blown up. This battery was 1,300 yards diagonally on our left flank.

When General Gibbonís line went forward, he ordered the battery to advance, posting it within 200 yards of the woods, into which he directed a rapid fire of shell, continuing it until General Gibbonís division fell back, retiring some distance to my rear.

I now discovered a body of the enemy advancing from the woods, infront of my left, and opened upon them with case shot and canister at 200 yards distance. The effect of this last fire was very effectual, cutting down men and colors. My last round of ammunition being fired, I was obliged to retire, and, in limbering to the rear, five horses were shot from my left gun, and I was obliged to leave it upon the field for a time, as I had only horses enough to get the others away. As soon as I had got from under the fire of the enemyís musketry, I halted my guns, taking four horses from one of them, and with 6 men I returned to my abandoned piece and dragged it safely off the field. My horses had become so reduced, I could only move with three pieces, and with them, by order of Colonel Wainwright, on the 14th instant, I reported to General Doubleday, on the extreme left of the line, and took a position assigned me by Captain Reynolds, chief of artillery, where we remained for a short time only, when we were withdrawn 200 yards by General Reynolds, as the enemyís skirmishers were annoying us somewhat. We occupied the last named position until 7 p.m. of the 15th, when, by order of General Reynolds, I recrossed the river, and took position on the hilt covering the bridge on which General Franklinís troops were crossing.

My casualties during the engagement were 2 men killed, 14 wounded; also 25 horses killed and 6 wounded.

Eleven hundred rounds of ammunition were expended.

I have the honor to be, captain, with respect, your obedient servant,
JAMES A. HALL, Gaptain, Commanding Second Maine Battery.
Capt. GEORGE F. LEPPLEN, Acting Chief of Artillery, Second Division.