The New York Herald Newspaper, December 22, 1864, Page 8

THOMAS. ‘TRE BATTLES BEFORE NASHVITLE Onur Special Details of the Three Days Engagements in which Hood was Routed and Destroyed. His Army Outflanked, Him- self Outgeneraled. Mis Lesses Fully Twelve Thousand Mei and Fifty Pieces of Artillery. Eis Retreat Intercepted by Our Cavalry and the Gunboats on the Tennessee Riv Our Losses Not Over Three Thousand Men, oe. ae. ke, mr. B. P. Conyng ‘a Despatch. Near Nasavie, Deo. 17, 1864. THE PRELIMINARY MOVEMENTS. ‘Wer several days past there have been exciting rumors. Mhe heavy cavairy force on the north side of the river @ressed over on the 12tn, crowding the streets and giv- ‘ag currency to extravagant rumors, A council of war ‘was beid by Thomas and his generals, and they decided ‘fo attack next day, the 13th. The weather was so severe ‘Meat the attack was deferred. Hood, as if apprised of ‘what was transpiring, moved from bis first line of works to @ stronger position in front of the long range of hilis that connect the bend of the Cumberland river which ‘@iecies round Nashville. General Lyon was now threatening the Louisville Ine, ~and Freckioridge giving indications of sweeping down on ‘Whe Chattanooga live, It was therefore Hood’s interest to take up & strong position and await Thomas’ attack. Bood heid a council of ir at General Harding’s house, ‘Where be had bis headquarters a few days siuce, and it ‘was agreed to take up a strong position and invest Nasb- ‘ville, while Forrest and hisother raiders would cut off our sepplies and thus compel us to attack him on his own terms or evacuate Nashville, On the 11th Forrest’s and Page’s cavairy commands attacked Murfreesboro, #0 a8 ‘te draw off part of our force from Nashville, They were Pepulsed alter a hot contest, and failed in interfering ‘with Thomas’ plans. A SBOOXD COUNCIL OF WAR, @n the evening of the 14th Thomas and his corps and ‘@ivision generals held a second council of war at the St. ‘Goud Rotel, at which the fellowing programme was de- Sided oa for the following morning:— ‘The artillery from the forts and advanced batteries to ‘open all along the line. Major General Steedman, who @ommanded on the extreme left, was to make a heavy @omenstration, 80 as to attractthe enemy’s attention to @eat point, Schofield, who connected with Steedman’s wight, was to “hold Bimself in readiness to move as mecessary. Wood’s corps, the Fourth, was to move on ‘tbe Hilisboro pike, keeping up @ convection with A. J. Banith’s, and pierce the centre, while A. J. Smith was to Bttack the extreme leit, Hatch’s division of cavairy @eanecied with Smitb’s right. Some of Major General Wilson’s cavalry had wheeled ee the enemy's rear, towards Brentwood, 80 as to cut off ‘the rebel retreat. This was the progranmme for action, ané was admirably carried out, THE BATTLE BEFORE NASHVILLE, The First Day’s Fight, December 15. ‘The booming of guns from Forts Negley and Cassino @nd several batteries awakened the inhabitants to the Derribie reality shat a battle was raging outside their city, ‘There was great anxiety and hurrying ‘to and fro, for the Mute of thousands bung upon the issue. Defeat would be vein, for % meant the fall of Nashville, Thomas kvew ‘Sbte, and therefore decided on attacking Hood before he hhad time to fortify bis new position, At early Qawn Btecdman’s troops were in motion, The First ana Second Brigades—colored troops, commanded by Colonels Thomp- gen and Morgan—took up position to the right and left of ‘She (battanooga line, These were supported by an Indi- ‘ana battery. Coloce! Grosvenor, commanding a brigade Sermed of detachments of the Fourteenth corps, took up a ‘Position on their left. The colored troops drove back the @memy’s skirmishers to their main Jines, but wavered ander the assault, Grosvenor’s brigade charged, taking ‘the advance line of works. An it was not the intention of bringing on a general segazoment at this point, and the enemy developing Besvy lines, Goveral “teedman ordered them to fal back Do their original position, still keeping up @ brisk skir- mbsb fire. I met one of those sable wirriors—a regular wud pie—return ng from tue from. “Are you hurt?” I ‘Src1aimed. “Ob, lor, massa, yes, Cxnoon ball struck his ‘cre vigver right on de brest, and rolled me over, ‘Billing Jim, at de oder sido,”” Be looked very well for @ man whom acannon bail had Made & sbuitie cock of THR ATTAOK ON TRR CENTRE. Precisely at ix o'clock the Fourtu, corps commenced ta line of march along the Hillsboro pike, and sovn formed. The Second division, commanded by General EMiot, moved on ef'on to Smith. The Firat division, commanded by General Kimball, moved em ech-lon to ‘the Second Hivision, with the Toird—General San Beat. ty’s—en echelom. The dorps moved forward tn this erder, guiding their movements by those of Geveral Bead s command, General Garrara’s division, Sixteenth Sorps. formed on the right of tbe Fourth corps, with Me. Arthur’s division conpecting on his right. Our live of wetion now extended from the left of the Gravny White pike clear away to the river. Heavy @tirmishing s00n took pia, and the batteries along the front hurled sot aud «hell Over our meu’s heads into the Fede! lines ‘The rebels had pow fallen beck to their first line of ‘Works, in frontof Mre. Montgomery’s house. General Wood, who was all tee time actively engaged along the whole line, guiding and directing movements, seeing tho woyortence of position, ordered General 6am Beatty #0 assault tbe position and tek it. BRATTY’S Ages UUT. Beatty formed bia division, Coloorl Port's brigade, Beoond, en the rigbt; Colonel Straight’s on its left, with Rooilier’s brigade held in reserve, The Forty-frst Odio, @etiowed by the Seventy-frst Ohio, Ove Hundred and ‘Twenty-fourth Opto and Fifty-ninto !limois, formed Colo. se! Post's line, The Righth Kaveas aod Fifty firet Ind) S08, rupporied by the Eighty-ninth {llinois, and Fi.teenin and Forty.ninib Ouio, formed Colove! Straight’s line. The Dattories of the corpe, wMder Major Goodspeed, occupied be follow ing ‘se Second Pennsyivania Pattery on the left, the First I now next, with the Sixth Sibio, Twentieth indians eo Bawery E, First Michigan, a dilale retired. Positions Zorg ler ene Renet. rave. Prom the Dest Information conpied tbe left of the rebel live Toe I conld gisan, Cheatham Stewart in the cenire, sud 8 1. Lee on the right. a d position, from which the rebels enpoyed our lines, 1s a commanding commence on the Granny White pike. On the crest of this ood the hoose of a Mra, Montgomery. It bad been durned down, and both i aod Couen’s were in rojas frem oor shot and shel! Like the famed + Le Haye Sainte of Waterloo, it t te Lictory; Ike It, too, its rained walls and ehartered ree tho fierce ovtare of the conflict that raged sroond them, heap of Bricks aud Pudvied, wil fragments Of spilotercd trees and wasighily tonnes, aro ite trophies of the victory, Aboul two @' GOR tho line advanced to the seewnit, Ag soon as tho erforated wall order was piven, “For ward, charge,” the Second brignde gushed for@erd in dovble quick tae, giving one iond sabent, The First br weir, Grod with the eothasisam of Me thing, abeo dir foe haloes api deliv red & wiiborme fite On Ihe en ‘oliowod it by » barge ng in O8 ihe rebel w The re od t of the fumed boae ‘abed t Our men. ~ See NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1864. end about ha! 9 milo cast of 14, im order to cover their | fate] (bez tbe berning lava that beried Hercelmacem with fred oY .p oniiasmem, dashed afer tbe enany , coptertag ever Vso bunéred. Our bens im Eiiled wee light, Cnptete Joya UW. Farquber, Imspester of tbe First brigade, and Capiam O.dd, luspecter of the Kesond brigade, bad their Derves Killed under thom. ‘The Fourth regular battery, Lieetesant Canby, and Battery E, First Michigan, Captate Le Vraes, soce cove pied the alli, epening ea the retreating exemy. Generais Kimball and Eiliot were also sharply engaged op the right, and were steadfiy pressing the esemy im their froat, The Fifteenth and Nipetecath Ohio captured a battery, which they bad charged. Schofield, who had been im reserve during the early part of the ight, had Bow wheeled to the extreme right, with Hatch’s division | efcavalry between him and A. J. Smith Tho battio Bow raged Sercely on our right, Schofeld end Smith wore desperately engaged; Garrard’s and MeArthur’s aivisions of Smith’s command, had charged on the enemy's works, eaptaring them. ox’s division was alse hotly en- exged. Wilson's cavalry now swept om the rebel rendering imrportant § services ® large nomber of wagons "To add to the infernal din of shrieking shot and shell, the gunboats on the river epened their brazen throats, -burling shot and shell through the woods en ihe rebel femks. ‘THE LAST ASSAULT OF THE DAY. ‘Tho rebels were now giving way. Our right wes doubting them up. Several of their guns were in our Bands. The sixteenth corps alone had eantared eight. ‘The Fourth corps now prepared for a general assautt along the centre. The First and Second brigades of Beatty’s division occupied the left, fort in single liae, Kimball’s and Eliiot’s formed ‘nto column by brigade. The advance of this long line of battle was magnificently gracd. In their front lay a long slope of open country bounded by belts of wood. An increasing slope ran to the woods now occupied by the rebels. Over this the Mme moved in one solemn, steady column, The crest of the hill in front partly sheltered it from the enemy’s ar- sillery. A dense volume of smoke rose from the valley sbrouding the hills and rebel lines in our front, ‘The rosrof the rebel artillery was becoming fainter, while the sound of our gums rang nearer and nearer. Tne Fourth corps for a moment baited and lay down te have Smith connect, We could soon see the rebels breaking pell mel! from their works, Infantry, cavalry and artillery were sweeping across the plain. What does it mean? A wild cheer rang from our lines, and the batteries re- doubled their iron storm. Soon fa column was seon emerging from the woods on the rebel flanks, Who are they? The Starr and Stripes float proudly in their front. They are our right, which has swung around their flaak. Louder grow tbe buzzas—hats are flung in the alr—civi- lians rash forward, belping the gunners, The Fourth corps jump to their feet and sweep right on the flying enemy, Alas! darkness was setting in. Ob, for a Joshua to command the sun to stand stil!—just two hours! ‘Tne battle was fought, she victory won; Nashville was saved and Hood was repulsed, shattered and broken. The victory was ours, eure and certain. THOMAS, General Thomas viewed the battle froma high hill in the centre of our position, with his usual imperturbsble coolness, One could mot judge by him how great an issue was at stake. ‘WEBSTER, He was accompanied by Brigadier General Webster, Chief of General Sherman’s staff. Webster is an excellent artillery officer, and rendered efficient service during the fight by his selection of locations and guiding artillery movements. ‘woop, Genera! Wood, who commands tbe Fourth corps in the absence of Major General Stanley, was active aud vigt- Jant ag usual. 1 remarked his aids, Major Danson and Captain Chafer, riding along the hottest part of the line with despatches. It is hard to compute the losses as yet, Dut you will bave them by telegraph before you receive this, We have certainly captured seventeen guns aod over one thousand prisoners. It ig thought that Hood has been too badly used to re- Rew the battle to-morrow, THE BATTLE OF BRENTWOOD HILLS, The Second Day’s Fight. Dec. 16. Te was thought that Hood’s severe repulse on yester- day, had eo crippled him that he would not dare to re- new the conflict to-day, and thus risk a signal defeat and Tepulse of his army. Hood ig remarkable for bis dogzed Pertimacity and perseverance. Men are mere machines in bis hands. These are excellent miliary qualities in 4 wise general, whose plans are Iaid with prudence and foresight, With a general of Hood’s unthisking impetu- osity, they generally prove fatal, Hood’s intentions were to blockade the Cumberiend, cut the Louisville and Nashville ‘road, and thus compel ‘Thomas to evacuate, With this intention he ‘had fallen Dack from bis works before the city, to intreach biraseif in the Overton range of hills, In this position be-+coula keep Thomas hemmed up in the city, divide from Rousseau at Mur‘reesboro, with bis and Breekioridge’s forces, cat off Bridgeport and Chatte- Rooga. This programme looked very fine, but Thotnas’, feelings bad to be consulted, and be took into his bead to spoil Hood's weil laid scheme altogether, and attacked bim be- fore he bad time to fortify himself 1m his new position. 4000'S IDEA OF THE #:TCATION, At a council of war held a few days previous Hood gave free expression to bis opinions, and remarked, “+All these stories about Thomas’ army are false. He bas but the Fourth and Twenty-third corps, which we bave siready whipped, and seme conscripts. We must take Nashville. We sbail take it, ard then, gentlemen, turning to bis officers, “how we'll feast on the rich Yankee spoils.’” “We bave taken stronger places, and by God we will take it,” exclemed Gestham, rather cbafed; for hie Rative city lay before bim, and the vision of past days of social copviviality rushed on bis mind. Lee was thought- ful. It was tho couneil of the falien ones plotting to gain their lost State. Hood had swelied our prudent retreat from Pulask! into a disaster ouour side and agrand strategic succers on his part. He was fulfilling Jett Davis’ predictions at Macon and driving the Yankee marauders out of Tennessee. He bad now hommed them in their last stronghold gnd was gather- ing bis meshes around them. Let Nashville but fail, and Chattanooga and Knorvilie, with their in nse stores of supplies would follow. Then the rebel army would again occupy its former position ip Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky and Western Virginia, besides reetoring their communication with Georgia. The prize was great, The result should be disastrous to the vanquished, Hood knew this, and felt this, aod therefore fired up bis army to the highest pitch by the promise of certain success and vast spoils. Our fallin back on Nashville coofirmed his troops in this belief, and they were in the highest spirits at the prospect be- fore them. Hood knew too well that to retreat from Nasbville after all bis boastful promises would be the certain demoralization of his army. The men would feel that they were entrapped, and desert bim in whol ie. Resides, Hood bad a very large wagon train, carrying al) hig ammunition and supplies, The great distance irom his base at Florence compelied him to do so, THR BRENTWOOD RANGE OP HILLS are about six miles south of the city, and ran from the Jeft of the Granog White pike about @ mile beyond the Fravkiin pike, the latter passing fight through them to Breptwood, These bills are rather conical and separated by deep wooded valleys, making it very difficult for an army to keep up its organizftion while making ao as saul, During the night Hood bad contracted bie lives back to this range, massing on the Fravklio pike to keep it open jn Gese Of retreat and to cover bis large wagon train, which was moving by byroads from olf tbo Graney White into the | rankiia pike, THURSDAY NIGHT IN NASHVILLR was an anxiour one, Troope were moving through the city, officers and orderlies riding to and fro, and Sager groups crowd@® the hoiels aud saloons, diecussing the eveuts of the day, Oilcers returned from ibe fgut grasp coe another's bands im mute congratulation, The rue Uutou mea are wild with exultation, while Tovel aympathizere—whose lips swear joyaity waile their bourse bateb treason—-grow faint heagtod, it Was an anxious night, too, to phe oMflcer: avd soldicrs who sept upon the basile fled. they jay in dark masses around, covered with their biankets and watchooats, fcarcely recoguigable from their dead companions around, Deep wer choir sleep; but ero tommorrow's sun yo down, avy o them shall sleep a ceoper sleep—the solemn wiesp Of death. The bayonets of the stacked arms glitiered in the sort moon! esums. Yarly 0b Friday morning the whole army was in mi tion, Athick fog sud arizziing mist obscured our ad- vauce. THe RRL Lee OF RATTLR 8. D. [ee occupied the right of ihe rebel line, partly maseed on the Franklin pike, with Stephenson's avd John divieion®, in frome Of Kimball aod Hihot | giewart cconpied the cenire, im front of A.J. Smith | wlio Cheatham of the ex(remdé left, coneiderabty out of hoe} oud rannting nearly paravel with the Hie vere pike, ana. ur pesition remaiced unebanged from the Grn day— ‘with Dimon the iftef the Fraskiie pike, Garrard’s is Wetten tide Despite thie murderous Gre, whten @emed to diast life with its breath, tbe troops rashed that te, Sicoaman oo the extreme let, Wood qonnecting } UP the hill bus te sirew fis sides with thete dead bodies. Pest ‘oll mortally weasded while resbiag on at the bead division, of A. J Smith's corpe, connected os the right of | Of bis mee. He paid the ssorifice of Bis gallant bravery ‘Weed; next came Mcartbar’s; thea Coiene! Moore, ore wkb bis fe, Sirsight was slightly wounded, ecting with Sebofield's left. Oox formed Scbofield’s | ad many ef our officers either killed or wound- right and Couch tis left. Wileoo’s eavelry came up en Schofield's right, along the Hiliebore pike, with erders to operate south of the bills, and f possible to turn a) ed. The troops, unable to stand this fell back to their works, the robeis net daring to pursue. Gen. Jubo J, Wood was fiercely riding along the lines, binself rebel flank and cnt off his retreat. Schoteid ecoupied « | and his staf exposing themselves at all points. He often- doop vaticy, with bis flank extended well towards tte head, and facing the rebel live, which was draws like @ Dow slong the siope of the bills; @iegonally acroes a spur of tho bills at an ancle with Cox, About tem o’ciock the mist cleared yy revealing the sombre forest trees crowning the steep blu, with thetr crests and sides sooeped into murderous rile pits and ridged with grim battories, Stecdman’s corps was the first to advance, He moved out on the Marfreesbore pike, with instructions to 0on- Beot with Wood and outfiank the rebel right, His com- mand consisted of two colored brigades, under Colonels ‘TBompsen and Morgan, and @ division of white troops, under General Cruft. Our skirmishers advanced without opposition for s considerable distance, but as goon as they struck the bei Of ‘wood im frost of the enemy’s position brisk skir- misting commenced. TOR BATTLE FOMLD, Between the Granny White and Franklin pike is a kind ef plateau, sloping towards the range of bluils which seem to be bounded by Little Harper and Mill creeks. Fine residences and well cared plactations cover the landacape back to Nasbvie. Hero tho city is sbut out from your view by the hills, crowned with forts and batteries, and their sides dotted over with white tents, and the dark forms of citizens crowding to see the bat- tle, or at least hear its din, Behind these rose the nouses ‘and steeples of the city. The cupola of the Capitol was crowded with avxious spectators, We bad now struck the rebel skirmishers, and the flerce musketry fire goon commenced. Gur batteries opened along the line, shelling the woods and adyanced Position, The rebel skirmishers fei! back slowly on their works. Between Whitaker’s and Grose’s brigades. Kem- bail’s division, and Garrard’s division lay on @ bil!, on the tep of which were a ferm house and out offices, From shelter of these the rebel skirmishers and asection of artillery barassed our advance, Whitaker’s brigade comprising the Ninety-sixth and One Hundred and Fif- teenth Miinois, Forty-fifth and Fifty-first Ohio, Twenty- iret and Twenty-third Kentucky and Thirty-fifth Indias were ordered to take this position, supported by the leit of Gérrard’s line, and on the right by Grose, ‘The brunt of this geliant charge fell pon Brigadier Generals Whitaker’s and Grose’s brigades. Nobly did they bebave. Thore seomed to be aiaudable spirit of State rivalry between them, They formed into cctumn im double lines by brigades, and moved forward in quick pace. They had nearly crossed the piain in front of the enemy’s works when a withering fire of artillery aud musketry swept, io one sheet of lead and flame, right tp their face, It has ever been tho revel tactics to suffer our troops to advance close on their works, 90 that their volleys would have moro effect, The men received this with a taunting cheer and a regular volley along the lime, Still on we advanced, until just cloning upon thom, when the works im our frost seemed to belch forth one sweeping, withering fire, more deadly than before, that thinned our lines aud made the stoutest ‘veterans reel, and created a temporary confusion. The rebels in front loudly cheercd, and some jumped on tho parapet, Our men rallied, turned and fired, thinning the number of spectators. The momentary reaction nervod our mep, and on they fought, in double quick time rushing over the works, and bayooeting the rebels in them. It was # gallant charge, and galiantly led, for Doth Kimball and Whiteker were conspicuous in the thickest of the bloody strife. Here the rebels left two of their gums and an arsenal of small arms in our hands. The Fourth corps bad now driven the rebels from their advance lines, and was pressing them back on their eserves, Bentty’s division occupied the right of tho Fravklin pike, the Second division on the left of ihe pike, and the First division connecting with Garrard, We were now closing in op the ecemy’s main works, and it was evident that the grand charge would soon take place, Our batteries, having advanced ¢loze to the enemy’s work, now opened from over one hundred guus one ferce, continuous fre upon thé rebel lines, making the air bideous with the horrid din of shrieking shot aod sbell, and obscuring the valley with a thick, sulphurous canopy of smoke. ‘The Ninth Indians battery, from the bill in Garrard’s front, swept the rebel lines, which were open on its range. Near this stood General Thomas and his staff, accom- panied by General Webster. Themag surveyed the posl- tion with bia usual cool calmness, closely scrutivisiog every movement of the enemy and taking (he necessary precautions to frustrate their desigus. He conversed with the officers around him on the situation, evincing a fall and clear appreciation of the rebel geceral’s mo ments and intentions. All the time preparations wore making for a general assault and our batteries were cov- ering the edvance by one of the flercest artillery fires! bave ever beard. Our artiliery all through did oxcellent service, running their guns close up to the rebel works, tearing them to Pieces and making the rebels fly from their intrench- ments. Major Goodspeed, Chief of Artillery, Fourth corps, worked bis different batteries admirabiy, placing them in the most effective positions, In frout of the Fourth corpse! remarked the Fourth regular battery, Captain Cornly; Battery B, lodependent Peonsylvaoia—ihis bad two guns dismounted and trun. ions emashed ; Sixth Obio, Lieutenant Baldwin,and seve. ral others prominent im front of oor lines, burling their missiles of death upon the enemy, blasting their lines with thoir voleanic breath. It was now near two o'clock. General Tomas J, Wood surveyed the rebel position from a hill to the left of the Franklin Pike, near Mr, Mulleo’s house, Steedman, lookjng flercely calm and re. solved; General Reatty, unmoved aud calm, as if noting importance was transpiring; Kimball ard Elliot, both looking resolute to act their part, were el! !n consuitatiog with bim, but soon moved to thelr different commands. Ip front of the rebel lines, commanding tho Franklin pike, was a strong fort. This occupied tne crost of the Bill, with strongly intreucbed worke all round and slashed trees in front. [ This bill te the Orst important one of the Overtos Tange—the extreme western spur of the Cumberland range of mountaing. It is about one mile io front of Mr, ‘Thompron’s house, where 8. D. Lee bad hie headquar- ters, and aboot five miles from Nashville, Frow this position the rebels not onty checked the ad. ‘vance of Beatty's divirion, but also commanded a salient fire on our advancing columns, Wood, calm and rigia, sat hiv horse, for some time surveying the hill. He seut for Colonel Post, of the Seventy.fourth Illinois, acting Brigadier Post, young, bri end chivalrour, came dash ing up. “Well, Post,” said Wood, ‘what do you think of that hill; oan you take it?” “¥en, Ge » was bis reply. «Well, then, do,’ said the General; and, turning to tin chief of artillery, be said ‘You, Goodepend, give it wo them.”* Away wont Colonel Post, cheerfully, to honor, but to death OM went Goodspeed, and the hellieh rowr of artillery that soon followed told that he, ton, wae (uililiing bis death dealing mission Asyet the rebels bet aned their artillery very sparingly, except on Whitaker's and Grose's a¢vacce, ovidontly saving their ammunition or unwilling to reveal their batt til they cond rake our advenciog columns, OOLONRL PORT ASRACLTE Colonel Post's brigade, composed of the Forty-firet, ‘eventy-firet and On» Hundred and Twenty-fourth Oio aod Fifiy-nintn Liltnots, formed into columo by brigade Colonel Straights brignde, comprising the Fifteenth and Forty ointh Ohio, Fifty-frst Indiana, Eighth Kansas and Fighty-nio' Pinot, formed on bis right, They were way ported on the left by Cotwel Thompaon’s Second bri- gave of colored troone, comprising the Twelfth, Thirteenth aod One Hundredih United States Cclored Volunteers. To the left of these wore the First brigade of onlored troop, and Colonels John Morgan's and Cruft’s division of white troops, ali of Steedmau’a command, The bil in their frovt was partly conical, and eparsely covered wilh trots, The troops moved grandly and prow!iy crows the intervesing valley and were ascend. ing the slope whan the rebels opened on them with mustetry and artillery, ploughing ap their line, The meu advanced for & time under face of this wotil their ravksbeoame eadly decimated. They faltered, wavered, sad begen to fot Into Confusion; bot thelr offioer® rallied them and Gheered them on Yo the charge, The roar of mavketry and arililery—the @weep of shot end hell 1 the bli was pow terrific, Asbeet of Seme and o stream of Ad pemmed to burat from! It Frsuying like, Foroiting forty flaming, Dory wistiies o », more | Couch’s division ran | taken, for repulse stemed but an incentive to him. He Simes throw himself forward, calling oo tho troops to fol- low. Wood fell back, stil! vowing that the bill shou'd be i@ not understand failure: it had no place in bis vo- . To thie charge the colored troopd bravely par. icipated; but the rebels seemed te mark them for de- straction with a Gendish matignity. All this time the roar of artillery and musketry, that echoed along the valleys from Smith's, Schofield’s, Eilict’s and Kimball’s Noes, was perfectiv deateving. It came Nearer, clearer, deadlier than before, Bteedman was now closing up on the rebel right. In front of Smith the men were engaged throwing up breast. wor! hen the order came,*‘Fall in.”” The veterans threw aside their picks and spades, for well they knew what the order meant, ‘This advance was first throurh am open cornfield with ® strong stone fence on their front, All this time the rebels were pouring shot aod shell among them. Cool and undismayed they advanced under this fire, hurling back the rebel skirmishers on their maip lives and charg- ing right up efter them, driving them pell mell from their works, capturing large numbers of prisovers, ar- tiltery and battle fags. MeArthar’s gallant division cap- tured six twelve-pounder Napoleon guns apd four fingyy besides a whole battalion of prisoners. ‘THE TWENTY THIRD CORPS had to advance up a steep hill, directly in face of a rebel battery (Second Maryland), which they not only captured Dut turned the rebel flank. ‘MAJOR GENERAL WILSON’S CAVALRY ‘were all this time engaged on our right, sweeping down on the enemy and driving them back w their works, Generals Jobngon‘and Hutch’s divisions were obiefly en- gaged bere while General Knipe had swept round on the rebel rear to harass their retreat. In this charge the cavalry captured a large number of prisoners and General Rucker. A luil—a fearful! lull—of some ten minutes took place in the centre aftor Beatty’s repulse. It was only momen- tary. “We must take that hill,” exclaimed General Wood, as he fearlessly rode in front of the lines encouraging his sroops and watching every movement of she enemy, and turning to his aids be exclaimed, ‘‘Go, Major Dawson, and order Kimball and Elliot to renew the charge.” Major Dawson did so, participated in the gallant charge that foHowed and fell wounded, With such division geverals as Beatty, Elliot and Kimball, supported by able ‘brigade commanders and officers, and sucb troops as he commanded, Wood knew he could not fail.- Thomas still looked on calmly and listened te the flerce roar of artillery’and musketry circling round the bills to the right and left of theenemy. He smiled, for he knew that the net was hauling in, Our lines were now closing in like a horseshoe around the enemy—they occupying the Dollow and massed back to a. contracted line of about two miles. Their right was already falling back for shelter behind J. D, Lee’s corps. Toued and was pressing them, Wood was again charging. Grose’s and Whitaker’s brigades, which had done such good service in the morn- ing, were now surging down the enemy’s lines, while Garrard was pressing them on their right, and Elliot on their loft, ana McArthur, the Scottish Campbell, flercely thundering against their centre. These ive columns were avimated by a spirit of révenge for the loss of their brave companions, Post’s men were eager to avenge bis fall, and they nobly did so, Thie was the tide which, taken at the ebb, led to for- tune and victory. A ringing eheer from our right pro- claimed Generals Smith and Schofield victories, as they doubled up tne enumy’s flank, A concentrated, converg- ing fire now swept along the rebel works on the hill. ‘One desperate roll of artillery, one fierce volley of musketry, one wild buzza and on,on swept our men dashing over the rebel works sod bur!ing them from them in wild panic, and capturing them wholesale. The revels breke and fied. The Forty-first Obio jumped over the Dodies of their fallen comrades, which lay thickly piled around, and roshed after the retreating revels, who deft their guns, flags and four pieces of artillery. It was the Thirteonth Mississippi battery, Captain Sandrora commanding. The rebel rout now commenced, Our artitiery and im. fantry pressed after them, delivering volley after volley in their rear. We pursued them along the Fraaklin pike, through the Brentwood Gap, picking up-whele squads of prisoners and deserters. The darkness of the sight at Jength compelled us to desist from the pursuit, Kim- ball’s division, Fourth corps, captured an entire battery and # battalion of troeps commanded by Major Johnson, of Maryland. Most of the prisoners taken By them were from J. D, Lee’s corps and 's division, cnt We bave certainly captured ever four thousand prison- ers, including General Jobo K. Jacksov, of Georgia, and Brigadier General Smito, with a large number of staff ‘and field officers, with twenty-five pieces of artillery— making, with the sixteen the previous day, forty-one in wall, Steedman bad now swung THE BATTLE ON THE HARPETH. Tne Third Day's Operatio RETREAT. To-day our cavalry are vigorously reaping the fraite of our glorious victories of the past two days, for Hood’s sbattered, demoralized army is breaking over the coun- try, with our infantry and cavalry like vengeful furies banging on their flanks and rear. Tt cannot be called a battio—it is a disastrous rout of panic-stricken men, who no longer retain the discipline or esprit de corps of troops. Al! the fine promises of their leaderg bave ended in disaster aud defeat, Inatead of feasting on the rich spoils of tho Philistines, they are hurled back, naked, bangry and dispirited. They now feo that instead of eutrappiag Thomas aad bis army—as both Hood and his arch-priest, Jeff. Davis, told them they would do—Thomas had loft the trap for them, and was cally awaiting his @tupid victims to mesh them. selves in his jy Deo. 17, PURSUIT, At oight o'clock our infantry wos in motion in purnuit, Smith and Schobe'd moving oa the Granay White pike and Steedman and Wood on the Fravklin, The fighting ‘was maioly confined to the cavairy; for the rebels mado good uso of the long night to get out of reach of our tofantry. In our lino of march towagis Frank'in we cap tured a jarce number of wouaded, whom we found in the houses—among them a rebel genera!—aiso @ rebel bos- pital, containing nearly two thousand patients, including some of our Own, who were left, Our cavalry fiercely harassed the onemy, #cattering any revel force that offered resistance and~ picking up rede) straggier@&nd prisoners in squads. Knipe’s division bad wheeled around the rebel right flank the previous cay and struck their column at night, and was now pressing them vigorously, also trying to head them off. CAVALRY SUOCESERS. Flatch bad deen engaged the previous evening on toe left of the Hilteboro pike, and had captured General Rucker snd somo three hundred prisoners, and pressed the enemy back on the Overton hi!l, and moving through the gaps, hararsed Hood's retreating columns al) Satur- day morning and sweeping down on them at Spring Hill, where bo ceptured three pieces of artillery and such a number of prisovers that thoy soon outnumbered bis command. General Knipe so hotly pressed thoir reur guard that they had to abandon their hospitals, with about three thoueand jomater, among them Geveral Quarles, of Tennessee, ard five battle figs, General Johnston bad wheeied round Franklin and atenck tho retreating rebels’ fend, capturing their mea In equada, In fact, Hood's whole army was now ono demoralized, pante strickon lerd serking eafety fo flight, They have Jost all bope now that they pee tml, losiead of loading them with the spoils of Nashville, 28 be 80 vain glori- ously promised, Hood only ted thom to slaughter, for Dever had #0 army bev 90 badly managed Just at tue moment Hood wanted his cavalry most he font them to support @ coluinn of Pat Giedurn’s old troops, Bater, 1a witack Muriretaporo; but Row fan wad prepared for them, for while Thomas was whipping Hood in front of Naabyitie on tha frst day Rousseau and Milroy were paying the fame compliment to Forrest and Bates, oy routing thom with @ lee of About one thourtnd one Lundred, Hood @id not expect an attack #0 fon from Thoman, king Murireeebore he would Thomas t throw hie army down there, But Was Woo Conn Dy, an! beth Rouwrtenu b) eke core A0ent9 awe fd thought that by « eo roped vt, now Wunk be had Hitle eavasry to cover his flank. Of the itttle be hed | Florence. Should they succeed in this and destroy Hood's) be dismousted sume ike first diy to ge ip the treeches, ‘His fank was new exposed. He saw bis error when too late. After the firs: day's repulse be contracted his line te the snelter of the bills, calied back Biscavairy, bat to partake te tbe gevera! ruio. Un the wight of Saturday, as well es] could ascertein, the rebel loss in killed and wounded numbered about two thousand, aed about ten thousand prisoners, with ten battle flags, several small banners and guidons artitlery—frst day sixteen pieces, second day twenty- five, third day eight—total forty ming. Hood is said to’ to have had only about eighty pieces in all. If #0, the most of bis artillery is in our bauds, besides a regular arsenal of small arms. Wo are also to bear in mind that the pursuit is still going on. GUERORTS GOING UF THE TENNESSES. I beard from good authority—simost effictal—that @ flotilia of gunboats was moving up the Tennessee river $0 Florenes to destroy the bridge there, If they arrive im time nothing can save Hood from total destruction; for the Cumberland and Tennessee are so flooded by the lato rains that nothing could ford them. Besides, trom the way we picked up stragglers on all sides, it was evi- dent thas they were trying to break bome in ail direc: tons. They were merely following Je, Davis’ instruc Hons and going home. When | left the army om Satur- day bight the Fourth corps und crossed the Harpeth river. It was expected that the cavalry would so de- tain Hood that our iniantry would force him to dght or surrender, Of the forty five thousand troops Hood was supposed to have on bis vain.glorious march into Tennessee, 1 fear- lessly state that he has not balfof shem to-day. When near Franklin I went into the thouse where Pat, Cleburne’ body was laid after the battle, His neart’s blood yet stained the floor, I said toa rebel colonel in our hanas:— “Colonel, bow bas your army fared?” “ub |” be exclaimed, “‘it is @ disastrous battle to us.”” Buch were the sentiments of all the prisoners. OUR WOUNDED MEN RESCURD. I should have stated that as the cavalry swept by the hospitals, our men rasned the buses, cheering most lustily for us. It was a pleasing sight to sec our brave wounded, pale and emaci. ated, some half dressed, some with crutches, others leaning on some support, but all sending up ono jJoud, hearty round of cheers for us. If any of our men halted to look after them th cry was, “Go ov, bo ys— go in; we are all right,” Indeed the fighting was almost entirely confined to the cavalry. Our infantry was only partially engaged, and then but skirmishing in front of the dasbing Fourth corps, which was not of much importance, With Sherman’s army so gloriously victortous, and the great rebel Army of Tennessee scattered into guerilia bands and broken, ought we not to feel that we are near the beginning of the end, aud give glory to God for thus saving the nation under such « fiery ordeall SCENES ON THE BATTLE WIELD. A battle fleld is a sad and sickening sight. The dresd contest of the day is now rovbed of all ite glory and cbivairy. The marching hosts in hostile array—the wild tumult of battle—the din and roar of murket: artillery bave died ar . Ite pomp and strange attrac- tions have now departed and faii to gild the printed se- puichre, leaving nothing bebind but its ghastly harvest of dead and maimed fellow creatures, It was just night, the rain was pouring down, and the din and roar of battle bad ceased, Still rose ia the dis tance the cheer and shout of our men as they dashed after the retreating foe, mingled with the deey boom of our guns which were still sending & parting shot aiter the enemy. I was standing on the hill apon wbich was enacted the bloodiest drama of the figat. It was the bill of slaughter, The dead and dying lay thickly strewn around in all conceivable shapes. In one piace were piled together the bodies of two white soldiers and three colored. They must have clung together for shel- ter, and were mowed down together. Black and white lay side by side just under the rebel works; there was no distinction now—brothers in the flery storm of battle, they slept together in death. ‘The bill presented a ghastly picture of the wreck and debris of battle, Bent and broken muskets piled beside the dead bodies of those who had used them—pigments of sbell aod round shot scattered to every direction, with broken ar- tiliery and exploded esissons—the ground furrowed and ploughed and scattered over with lopped branches of trees, were some of the realities that made up the ghast- ly picture; add to this the piercing groans of the wound- ed, whose mangled bodies writhed ia torturing agooy, and you have some idea of the horrors of a battle field ‘when stripped of all its pomp and tinsel. Bebind the in- trenchments lay the rebel dead and wounded, some crushed and torn im the most unsightly mauner by our shot and shell. So accurate was our artiliery practice ‘that our shot tore of the heads of some with the top of the parapet. 1 was attending one poor fellow whose arm bad been dreadfally shattered, giving bim a drink of whiskey and of morphive, when Surgeon A, E, Jeinser, Fifth Ohio, came over to dress bis wound. “Ah, goatlemen,” ex. claimed the poor fellow, “I havea wife and five children im Georgia, whom I bad to leave beipiess when | was oun- scripted, Save my arm for their sake,” Dr. Jeinser could bold out ne hopes for him, but thought Be could save nis life. I remarked the kind doctor’s Christian attention to the unfortuoate rebel wounded, But thea our doctors mako Be distinction between friend and foe when once they a stricken down, Near him lay an officer with # leg shat- tered and his arm torn off from tbe. shoulder, Though we made a bed with biankets for him he was rather sullen, aad would not allow us to move him out of ‘the trenoh where he lay doubled up. It mattered tittle; for a tew boure terminated bis earthly puta. As I rode away from this hill, over which the elarnel house smell of death was already breathing, I saw a buge Kentuckian ‘wooping bitterly over a dead rebel. “Sir!” I exclaimed; ‘look at your dead comrades lying all around,’” “True,” he said, as he wiped his eyes and pointed toa dead Union officer; “there is my brother, sbot by this man, [sbot bim im return He is my cousio aod boy- hood companton, I weep for my brother aud borom friend.” This is but one of the many aifeciing scenes J aye witnessed on the battle field. HOW THE COLORRD TROOTS rorGRT. \ Though not aiflicted with the disease called the brain,” nor a Horace Greeiey or Hi Stowe advocate of miscegenation, I must ia justice state that the two brigades of colored troops, under Colonois Jabn Morgan and Thompson, did well. It is true they Ddroke, but nos until tbeir piled bodies, iying deride their off.cers—who were most all Kiijed or wounded—attesied how well they fought and bled, They entertain » kind of reverential devotion for General Steedman. And now “They'll fight for masea general wherever he'll go.’’ A PROVIDENTIAL BECAPR, Tt ia strange the bair-breadth escapes one will nave on the battle eld, Ihave often sean mea rolied over, their clothes perforated, and yet uot burt, Among the many escapes of the late fight I must mention that of FATHER P. F. COONRY. Ho was administering the last sacrament to a wounded soldier, when a round shot plunged between them. bury ing the father alive, and sending bis patient, [ hope, to beaven. ‘THR CABUALTIER, Kred. ’ Colonel J, G. Hill, 36th lowa, Captain E, Grosvenor, command, 18tn Odio. Capinin G. H. Ayers, Co. F, iTih United States colored troops J. H Aldrich, 17th United States colored troops, Lieut, J. W. Watson, CoH. bth lowa cavalry. Lieut. Jobn Lecrist, Co. K, 128d Indiana Lieut, Jus. D. Movride, Co, H, 44tn Miegourt Lieut. 0. H. Shanks, Oo f1, Tun (limoss. Colonel! Post, commanding brigede, 4th corps, mortally wounded CAptain Parker, Tth Obie, mortally woonded. Lieut, Lyile, 7b Ohio, mortally wounded Major Dawson, General Wood's matt, slightly Taeut. H. € sevorety Baily, Co, D, 6tn Mino enote, Capuein © 0, Hatewiau, Co, 0, 17th Uuiied States colored: ehuly. J. Bond, 112th Titinote, attebily, B, Erne Unio, aliehily DM Henderson, ( 12Ust Olio, severely, dense New « Artesth M. Inma pa, Bh0U Heat. Sumual i Tient, E. U. Fie Lieut. F } Lieut. Ce | Lieut. Clark, acting fade, severely, . Dem Dey Aseretans Adjut eral, Qa bri 24th Obio, killed, ing Assiviant Adjutant General, Tet SCHOFIELD IN COLI The army ie ruil ds fogitives, Thomas tne Ahe rear with hie infantry betor ity are banging © pore As, Mf ows! em tn | 6, wo wirike & iney rerdh Fi their Booke with the } white hie en * sntention of Dowding thom of wetwean Columbia Mw } qsorg Bent avenne © and )2t F BUNTON sain by Dr NTA. i pontoons 00 the Teavesses, or should the expected gua— Doats arrive im time for thie part of the coremeays Hood’s abole army will. be captured; for the rivers eye” 80 swollen by the late heavy rains that he cannot for® thom at any point, thougs there were no feo to interrayt him As I write this] am officially informed that Schofield’s colump bas reached Columbis—a distance of forty-two malles trom Nashville and about seventy-five from Flor~ ence, Though our men are much fatigued they marc om ebcerfully; for they feel that tbe anpibilation of Hood’s army is the death biow to the war ln the West, Our engineers and their hands are busy at work getting up the wires, and putting the raliroag in order to Frask= lin, which they will have done by to-morrow. .We cam thus follow up the army with supplies. Hood’s retreat bas been along the line of railroad and the roads ruoping Parallel with it, I should Bave stated that after the battle of Friday we found coarse stones, used in the old Roman fashion for crushing corn, which appeared to have been the chief food of Hood's les miserabics. REBEL ACCOUNTS, Heod’s Def A TERRIBLE TIRADE AGAINST JeRP. Davis AND HOOD. [From the Richmond Examiner, Dec. 19.} ‘The accounts from Nashville are the statements of the enemy, and must be received with much caution. Jt is pro- bable that the real facts are somewhat colored; that the bumber of prigovers and captured guue will be discov- ered to have been somewhat emalier (han supposed, and: the oss of General Thomas much greater than he would like to state im a bulletin. But it is cficvlt to doubt thad Af ier gaining an expensive and worthiess victory at Franks lin through the valor of his troops, and in spite of the mows reckless generalship or no generalshipg Hood has now mse tained @ defeat before Nashvilic, a had no business ‘e 9 If it be true thet bis men were aetu- ally driven from their breastworks, it is proof thas they have suffered great deterioration in bis hands But eis DO reason in Iaying blame ou the troops. Defects. ‘at neadquarters, now as at Missionary Ridge, explain all, Since Beauregard was ordered off to stop Sherman with- ‘out troops by his individual presence, the con:!jtion of the army which was 3° left without a general conid not be remembered without a shiver, Thomas, the renegade Virginian, is one of the most intelligent men in the federal: army, while Hood's only title to command was the cire cumstance that be did not approve the policy of General Jobvston, Until lately Thomas haa inferior nambers; Dut while Hood has been trenching be ore Nashville bis oppouent’s ranks were filling, and bebold tbe resul Toose who could be surprised at apy, military plans Hood of Davis were surprised at a campaign for Neehe ville aud Kentucky at this late season If thet army could Dave cleaned out Middle and East Tenoessed and regained Chottanooga and Knoxvilie the condition of the Confederate cause in the West would bave been better than it bas been since the Dattie of Mur(reesbiro, But even if Nashville bad fallen, an eclat would bave bees She only gain, The place could vot be bold without Kene tucky, aod a campaign in Keotucky at this season would have beco certain ruin, The battle of Nushville appears to bea piece with ihe campaign. Atl of Hood's army were engaged except his cavary. Where was Forrest vairy? Wedo not know, but it may be fairly they were employed as Wbeclor waa whem ated, Wheo Joboston bai the army he kept iryoo his flanks. and the flunkeye und psragites of the government reviled bim for a ing 80, When Hood took commant be sent if the cavalry to raid on the enemy's rear, aud untl! the consequences were sven groat glory was given to General Hood for doing it. But the abseuce of tne cavalry enabed Sherman to reach Jouesboro without Hood’s knowing anything about it, and Atianta was thrown awiy io the panic which ensued, Then (God, io lis mercy, gave bim Forrest, and while we do not know the fact, it appears: extremely probable that he bas thrown away bis ner- ces in Tennessee as he did th se of Wheeler to Georgia, net Dy the light of eveuta sew accomplished, who ncholy signiiicxnce 1s giver to that p int of past history by every successive event in the beginning of the year that isnowciosiog. Tbe enemy ‘ormed two powerful armies «nd pianved two paratiel paigns. The goal of ove was [tichmoud; of the other Atianta, To meet them we had tuadequate armies; but aguinst Grant and Sberman we had Lee an’ J:bnaton, rinces of the military pro‘egsion on this coutinent, heir defence against superior numbers was equally suc- 1d the incidents on the two scenes of action irked by an uncommon similarity, The high was the same, except that Gract reached bauks of the James from the Rapiden in “an lege time than Sberman touched the Custtahoocnes, At that moment Sherman’s campaign waa an great a (allure to his position, more perilous thin that of Grant. Atiante ‘was a dead lock on the Army of the Cumberland, bot tes eflectual than Richmond op the Army of tbe fotomac, ‘There is every human probability in the supposition that bed Johnston, like Lee, retaived the command of bis army, Sbermat . “0 not forced to retreat, would been bald 11 Georgia ike Mio in the Oak The ‘Confederate army in Atlanta was them = equal to that in R.chmond It was as well organizeds a8 barmonicus.as confident jo itself and in its Tender. iewam ‘onty ton eager for Datcie, At that momeutatl was weil im the confederacy, No sepsible ob-erver aoubted wet AUanta snd Richmond would. resist «il efforis, and Maas the conclusion of the yerr would be reudered bles by the undeniable failure of the greetest military i the for a clog upon ite Seated £01 possensed of the that if Jebnaton, who ‘woud not fot, ‘wee taken or i goveroment, under the name of ‘hoes would jost go out with that ne army, whip oa 1a a mipute, gather sil the glory to itself, aad erate. q its grodges agaionrt the great officor ‘who hediifted 1 bim from the deptos of Gospair, So ai! the ‘ dies ground out the death song of Jopnston, Io th the army bad jost more men: in kitied andy woun than during all the mooth of Juba: ston’n command, It lost Atlanta nines ing how or why, and it was retnced tw the state of helpiern demyralization In which it oace Dalton from Missionsry Ritwe. Such was the imra aud direct result of Johnston's removal, Then followed the President's barangues containing th@ Plan of (be new caropsiga, which 18 juRt cow, concled Savanoab and Nashville. We tave n + nsted U1 m to make any remarks upon the barangues: aud chronicle of even's whwh a painful duty compels us P by day (uroishes an ellncidatine and a.com: mentary which 00 words and no wen will ever Fi Exough it ts to say that fortine ted from the Soatl au dard when Johaston’s bind waa removed from nd the evil spirit which nad haunted Rragg re turned into the army, waen Hood assumed command. CANADA. Aibans Hebbersg .Qvenme, Dec 21, 1864, “Young. and two others of the St. Albans raiders, wer@ Tecuptured to-day at St. Francois, sixteen miles fromy Rivere du Lonp, o@ the wav east. It is thongs that alf will be arrosted, It is evident they are making for New Branswick be different routes. A spectal messenger has crrived from Washington, wit®) despitches from Secretary Sew urd. It $s understood that immedintely after Isening the pray, clamation im referecce to the rebel-Canadian raid Major General Dix despaiched a confidential ‘ene More Gcrests bet the st, Canada, ‘Thie yentieman returned to New York satiated tha} the Canadian autborities were taking every necossargy al od! vations, ravails between the Quebeg step to perform internatic The best anderstaoa and Washington governments, Mr. Potter, the American Conenl, i@ onwell,and bad gone to Wisconsin Lo recuperate , the Vice American Conval, t# algo 1. The Governor's prociam whleh was pablinh yeaterday, offers a reward for (he srrevt of the raiders, MAILS FOR THE PACIFIC, Tho mail steamship Ooran Qneea, Captam Sexbaryg will leave thie pork al ne norrow for Aspinwall The maiia for Central Amerion and the South Puctie be | Close AL balf-past tan o'clock lo.morrow morning. Tus New Yore firearo--Beliion for the Pacitic—wiit de ready wt ton o'clock to {he morving. Single copies, in wrap Lf counts, The Cansaa Oatwar i Bonne. 0. 7.20 PM whe me hit "0 ding detained? by (ne uniek ao Fomenty len evening, Re the wip od bo the go Hebt hat aed rat Court « aed Screen Covert oo kaA.M 823, 2794, 2200 2820) 282 4 tolpoon nt heme elo A. M. Not s 4 S001, SOU Ri07 2025, 2101 ort at tono'e OK A.M oe na emer cern een MISC HLLANBOUS. “ MERGY ¢ ] * he, nt 7 @D. : RAD N fo CO RID WER CH, 8 Row ory, "Wleety Amutbiate RNING n rae Nin THE During the month of Decembany offers iret Bun y Mave il lee. Cleoune ant Pie mad pnd