in headlong rout, bearing back with them their supporting columns, But the battle is not yet ended; the lines are readjusted, your veterans hold the breach, and against them column after column is hurled. Nine times that eve did the enemy seek to drive them from their post; nine times their charging lines retired shattered and broken. 'Twas four in the morning when their charge began; 'twas nine at night ere the battle closed over the rescued army and the baffled foe, and your Fauquier Guards slept upon their arms with the sweet consciousness of duty done.
Such were the deeds by which these dead heroes won a right to your regard.
| "In such a flame and such a heat The anchors of your fame were forged." |
General Forrest's Operations Against Smith and Grierson.
Letter from General Polk.
General Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond:
I send by Captain Vanderford accompanying dispatches, among them a communication from Major-General Forrest, containing account of his operations in checking and defeating the enemy's cavalry forces, intended to form a junction with his infantry at Meridian. You will perceive that it was a brilliant affair, and that it accomplished my wishes in effectually preventing General Sherman availing himself of his cavalry in his contemplated operations. That success destroyed his campaign.
Dispatches from General Lee's forces, just received, are of a very gratifying character. He has overtaken the enemy, on the west of Pearl river, in a very exhausted state, from a want of provisions and forage, and a long and hurried march, and is cutting up the rear of his column. I have hopes of destroying also some of his boats that have gone up the Yazoo towards Grenada. Ross's brigade, of Lee's division, is on the river below them, and will be reinforced, and I have another brigade above them. The result of the campaign has been thus far satisfactory, and we have not as yet seen the end of it. I shall send General Forrest, without delay, into the western district, to break up the Federal elections proposed to be held there within the next ten days, and to bring out other troops, horses, &c., from there and southern Kentucky. My report of the late operations will be sent you in
