Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-12-05
rnE RArrLE AT rRANKLIN.

CINCINNATI, Dec. 3.
The Gazstte's Nashville correspondent
gives some particulars Of the battle at
Franklin. The plan of the battle was
very simple. fft5 hut4 time to x sE up q
compiete plan, as the enemy pressed US too
soreiy, and obliged US 10 fight of hand
The original plan WAS to withdraw the force
OF General SchoAeld until meeting our rein
forcements and give battle in the vicinity
of Nashville, but the over ssnguine rebels
pressed us too hard, and when Gen. n.Schofeld
perceived he could not avoid the contest he
drew up bis little army in line of battle in
front of Franklin At half past three the
assault commenced. Chesthams corps, on
the right, Stevens on the left and S. D.
Lees corps in reserve on the centre
Oheathan threw the force of his whole
corps on General Wsgners division
with great impetposity, and after half an
hours desperate fighting, pushed Wagner
back on the second line, where they be-
came mingled with Goes and Ruger's
men on our left and centre. The rebels,
encouraged by their success III driving
Wagner back, advanced with loud cheers
on our second line. Their order Of ad-
vance was very peculiar. A semi-circle,
two regiments deep extended all around
our lines, and behind each alternate regi-
ment was placed four others, 80 that the
assaulting column was ak regiments deep.
Hood appeared about four o'clock in the
afternoon, at the head of his columns, and
said: Break those lines, boys, and you
have finished the war in Tennessee; break
them, and there is nothing to oppose your
march from Nashville 10 the Ohio River
Loud cheers answered the reoel leader,
and Immediately the whole space in front
of our lines was cramned with the ad-
vsncing multitudes.
Captain Lyman commanding the artil-
lery brigade Of the Fourth Corps, had
placed his batteries in the most favorable
positions, and from these streams Of shot
and shell piled into the charging ranks.
With the most reckless bravery the rebels
rushed on, and when within q lew humid
red yards Of our works, our boys opened
upon them with so terrible fire of mus
kerry that it seemed as if nothing could
live before it, but no wagering was per-
ceived in these advancing lines On they
came, rushing up to the very parapet OF
our works and stuck their bsyOnets under
the logs on our bRttlements.
On ttru CUfuTnU1S PIKE TuB pressTU5 WAs
so great that some Of Cox's and Wagner's
men temporarily gave way. Up TO this
time the brigade was commanded by the
gallant Colonel 0pdyke. The 125th Ohio
mad been held in reserve. Colonel Opdyke
by orders of General Stanley, rushed for
ward with his brigade, to restore the broken
lines.
The rebels who had crawled over our
works, had not time to retire, and Coxs
and Wagner's men, broken but moment
before, rallied and attacked the enemy on
the flank, while Opdyke charged them in
front.
A desperate hand 10 hand fight ensued
with bayOnets and butt ends Of muskats.
Hundreds of rebels we're captured here
and the line was restored
For about two hours and half the bat
tie ragged along our lines. The men of the
4th and 23rd Corps We'd with each other in
bravery. Riley's brigade Of the 23rd
Corps fairly covered the ground In front
Of them with the rebel dead.
The rebel General Adams wss killed.
He and his horse fell into the ditch togeth-
or in front of the l05th Ohio.
Seventeen distinct attacks Of the enemy
were repelled. at dusk the enemy were
repulsed at all points, but the firing did not
cease till nine o'clock. r...
At least 5000 rebels we're killed, wound.
ed and captured, while our loss will pcob-
ably reach l,500.
We have taken from the enemy thirty
fsgs-some regiments (among them the
7Oth Ohio) taking half dozen apiece.
General Schoheld directed the bs'tle
from the first, on the north bank of the
stream, where some hesvy guns and the
batteries of the 2sd corps were placed, and
which did great service in damaging the
enemy's right wing.