The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-12-23

anu LIB Vuy OIOhcu AuSO WV Pa Nos VIZ
on Whites pike and the other on the Frank
lin, with the range of bluff hills between
them. Steadman and Wood are pressing
0signedO EN-. STANTON,
Secretary Of War.
Friday...Bravery Of our Troops---
Pursuit OF HO0d..His Losses OF Men
and Observation-Disclosures Attack ON
Murfreesboro Repulsed.
CINCINNATI, Dec. 19.-The Gazette pub
fishes q vivid description of the battle of
the 18th.
The day opened cloudy, with indications
Of rain. There was dense fog at an early
hour, but it soon cleared away, and at 8
O'Clock we're able to determine the enemy 3
position.
During the night of the 10Th Hood with
drew both his wings from the river, con-
tracted his lines everywhere, and was
holding o strong position along Granny
White Hills, his centre protected by two
lines of Entertainments.
Our own troops were disposed in the
following order: Wilson's cavalry on the
extreme right; Schofeld's 23d corps, con-
sisting of COUGHS and Coxs divisions, at
first held in reserve, but before the main
battle opened, had taken position on the
left of the cavalry, thus forming the right
of our infantry line; A. J. Smiths 10th
corps, consisting of the divisions of Mo-
Arthur, Garrard and Moore, came next on
our left; Schofeld on the left of Smith !;
the magnificent 4th corps (Woods), con-
sisting of the divisions of Kimball, Elliot
and Sam Beatty, was formed in close order
of battle and partially massed; Stedman,
with CIRCUITS division and two brigades of
colored troops, held the extreme left.
Our plan of battle was continuation of
that on the pressing the advantage
gained on the enemy's left. 1t was about
half past eight o'clock when our batteries
opened from hundred pieces simultaneous
ly along the entire line.
The rebel artillery replied feeb1y. Scho-
field marching down Granny White pike,
carefully concealing his strength, placed
bis corps directly on the rebel left flank.
Steadman at the same time worked his
way forward. The enemy in the mean
time strengthened his front line.
This determined Wood to carry this line
at once. In splendid order Kimball first
moved forward to the charge, firing volley
after volley as they rushed toward the
rebel works.
A whitening fire Of musketry and can
mister made them wayer more than once,
but still they pressed on till within half
pistol shet, when the enemy's fire became
80 deadly that our men in order to return
it more efectually came to halt, longer,
perhaps, than any troops ever remained in
such position.
They stood and fred fast and furiously
at the enemy, but they could not remain
there and live A few gave way, ard fled
in disorder. The whole line staggered, and
had the rebels done nothing more than
keep up their deadly fire, we should have
been driven back, but they made move
ment to shift their artillery, which was re-
ceived by our men as an indication that
they were about to abandon their line and
retire. Raising loud shout the division
with fixed bayonet rushed impetuously for
ward, and swarming over the works cap
tured such rebels as had not fed.
They had time to get away two gus,
but the rest fell into our hands. As soon
as this preliminary success was achieved,
Gen. Thomas, who was seen during the
day in the very front line of battle, Or
dered charge along the entire line;
Schofeld moved upon the left flank of the
enemy and before his veterans the rebels
gave way like frostwork.
II Qo-1x Ia A.
az Schofield advanced and was rallied
back upon that portion of the line which
Just now was attacked by A. ]. Smiths
troops with weight and energy nothing
could withstand.
McMann's brigade was foremost in the
battle on the previous day, rushed right
into the teeth Of three powerful rebel bat
teries and carried at the point of the bayo.
net the salient point of the enemy 3 works.
In few moments their works were every
where carried, their forces utterly routed,
their soldiers captured by thousands, and
every piece of their artillery is in our
hands.
Such as escaped death or capture fled
toward Franklin Pike, took refuge behind
8. D. Lees corps, which held the gap in
the hills. Wood and Stedman on the left.
had now united and prepared to assault
the rebel right which was still unbroken.
Under cover of a tremendous fire from
our guns, Col. Posts brigade moved for
ward. Straight's brigade, of Sam. Beatty's
division, formed on lis right support. I'm
mediately on Posts left Thompsons COL
ored brigade was drawn up and Morgans
colored brigade was next on the left.
The enemy reserved their fire until
Posts brigade commenced to climb the
hill when perfect hurricane of shot and
shell, and canister tore through his ranks.
In face of this fire our men steadily adj
vanced.
The colored troops We'd with the white
IN persistent energy. With whites they
lar ~ -... o q. d.. a.. ..