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BRANCH-LANE BRIGADE,

James H. Lane, Brigadier-General.
Lawrence O'B. Branch, Brigadier-General.
John D. Barry, Brigadier-General,

E. J. Hale, Major.

Tue Brancu-Lane Bricapr. 475

In the Wilderness, on 5 May, 1864, the brigade was as-
signed a position on the left of the road near the home of a
Mr. Tuning, and the corps was pushed far to the front. Soon
afterwards the brigade was ordered to form at right angles
to its original position for the purpose of sweeping the woods
in front of another command. The corps returned at a
double-quick and deployed while the brigade was taking its
new position. The enemy opened, and the corps dashed for-
ward, poured a destructive fire into them, killed a large num-
ber and captured one hundred and forty-seven, including
eight commissioned officers. :

When the brigade was ordered to the right of the plank
road that afternoon, where our troops were hard pressed, the
corps fought on the extreme right, where Captain V. V. Rich-
ardson, a gallant officer and second in rank, was severely
wounded. The fight continued until after dark in the woods,
through the dense undergrowth. The contending lines were
close to each other and when the enemy attempted to turn our
right, Knox was captured, and he was succeeded by the ac-
complished and gallant Captain William T. Nicholson, of
the Thirty-seventh.

On 12 May, at Spottsylvania Court House, in front of the
salient on the left of the Fredericksburg road, this corps be-
haved with conspicuous gallantry in the presence of General
Lee. That afternoon, after the brigade had attacked Burn-
side’s Corps in flank, General Lee sent for General Lane, told
him he had witnessed their gallant behavior and the cheer-
fulness with which they had borne the hardships of the day,
and he did not have the heart to order them forward again ;
and yet, he wished them to make an important reconnoissance
for him on the Fredericksburg road. When assured that they
would cheerfully do whatever he wished, he replied: “Tell
them I request it and do not order it.” When Nicholson re-
ported for instructions, General Lee repeated his caution to
him to let his men know that he would not send them unless
they were willing to go. It was an inspiring sight when
those brave fellows marched past their beloved chieftain.
Every cap was waved, and cheer followed cheer. General
Lee, superbly mounted, gracefully bared his head and uttered