seriously engaged. The attacking column which Lane encountered, got up to within a very short distance of a salient defended by Walker's brigade of Heth's division, under Colonel Mayo, before it was discovered, as there was a pine thicket in front, under cover of which the advance was made. A heavy fire of musketry from Walker's brigade and Thomas's which was on its left, and a fire of artillery from a considerable number of guns on Heth's lines, were opened with tremendous effect upon the attacking column, and it was driven back with heavy loss, leaving its dead in front of our works. This affair took place under the eye of General Lee himself." * * *
General Lee Compliments the Sharp-Shooters of Lanes's Brigade.—It is due the corps of sharp-shooters of my brigade to state that after the flank movement on the 12th of May, General Lee sent for me and told me that he had witnessed the gallantry of these brave men, as well as the cheerfulness with which they had endured the hardships of the day, and that he had such a high appreciation of their services as to make him unwilling to order them forward again, but as they had been thoroughly tried and he wished to make another very important reconnoisance on the Fredericksburg road he would be glad if they would make it for him. I at once told him that however tired they might be I knew they would go wherever he wished them. To which he replied, "I will not send them unless they are willing to go." I went for Captain W. T. Nicholson, at that time commanding them, and introduced him to General Lee, who repeated what he had just said to me. In a few minutes afterwards our sharp-shooters passed General Lee with cheers, and again pushed vigorously to the front.
Sherman's Advance on Meridian—Report of General W. H. Jackson.
Benton, Miss., March 21 1864.
Major,—In compliance with orders from the Major-General commanding I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my command, consisting of three brigades, commanded respectively by Brigadier-Generals Wirt Adams, L. S. Ross, and Colonel P. B. Starke, during the late advance of Sherman's army from Big Black to Meridian and its return to Vicksburg.
The enemy commenced crossing Big Black on the afternoon of the 3d February; were met by Colonel Wood's regiment, Adams's brigade,
