Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 09.djvu/172

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Sherman's Advance on Meridian.
168

enemy heavily; had damaged him very much; it was nearly night; we determined to withdraw.

We captured mules, horses, clothing and ammunition, and seventeen prisoners, The loss of my brigade was thirty-seven killed and wounded; of the two brigades sixty-four. The enemy's loss from all I can gather, must have been over one hundred, though he stated it to citizens at two hundred and forty-three.

The enemy has been compelled to evacuate the city, and it is hoped that he will abandon the idea, heretofore entertained, of opening the Yazoo river, and drawing cotton, negroes, stock and supplies from its rich valley.

The Fourteenth Tennessee earairy was under my immediate observation, and it gives me great pleasure to ecrumend the gallantry of both men and officers. The Fifteenth Tennessee cavalry and its gallant and dashing Colonel Logwood behaved well--not a man or officer straggling trom it to the rear. Its flag bore and now bears ten bullet holes through its folds and one through its staff, as honorable mementoes of the fieme struggle it passed.

I cannot close this report without mentioning, in terms of commendation, the promptness to carry my orders and the gallant bearing throughout the entire day, of Captain W. E. Reneau, Acting-Inspecting General on my staff, and Lieutenant 5r. B. Waddell, picket officer of my brigade. My Aid De Camp Lieutenant $. T. Soyher and volunteer Aid $. M. Lucas bore my orders promptly. It gives me great pleasure to ecrumend the gallantry of Brigadier. General L. S. Ross and his entire brigade of Texans. I desire also to commend Captain Thrall and his men and officers for their bravery and good firing on this occasion. The Captain was wounded in the city after it was captured, standing by his piece, by a sharp-shooter of the enemy. Lieutenant C. Adams, my ordnance officer, was also wounded in the city.

I have the honor to be,

R. V. Richardson, Brigadier-General

To Major Holt, A. A. General.

REPORT OF COLONEL P. D. STARKE

Head-quarters First Brigade, I. C. D.,

Near Livingstone, Miss., March 13h, 1864.

Captain,—I have the honor to report that at 5 o'clock, A.M., on the 4th ulto., whilst near Brownsville', Miss., I received an order from