Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-12-10
NASHVILLE Dec. 8

There are various conjectures as to
Hoods intentions. He has shown himself
so rash and desperate before Atlanta, it is
hard to judge him by any true military
criterion. If his object was to capture
Nashville, he has let his opportunity slip.
Had he moved right on Nashville from
Florence, Thomas army was so depleted
by Sherman's expedition, that his chance
was very fair. Thomas hasnow s splendid
army-sLperior to Hoods, both uumeri-
cally and in all the attributes that make
up the morale and physique of an army.
We have now lines Of intrenchments
incirchng the town, with several powerful
batteries, lunettes and redouts, bristling
with an immense number of cannon.
Then, in front of our works in an open
country, without trees or any impediment
10 the sweeping range of our artillery.
Hood. cannot lie long in front of our works,
as his communication with Florence,
where he had his base of supplies, is inter-
rupted. We destroyed the bridges over
Duck River and other points. Though ne
Is operating over fertile country, his large
army, which, between cavalry and infan-
try, is supposed 10 amount TO over $4,000,
would soon exhaust all the supplies within
his reach. It is thought that Thomas will
not let him return without paying his res
poets TO him in most telling way.
Indeed we thought we should have q
fight this afternoon. The I'd Division, 23d
Corps, was under orders to be ready for a
reconnaissance, but the order was counter
msnded. hood, though desperate man,
is not likely to but up sgsinst our works.
If he intended to assault Nashville, he
would have followed right up after our ar
my, after the fight at Franklin, and not
given us time to fortify.
It Is not unlikely that Hood viii try and
keep US here by heavy cavalry demonstra-
tions while he throws his main army on
Rosseau, at Murfressboro. If so, SRos-
seau dOuld hold oUt-as the works there
are formidable, and he has q large force
until Thomas could flank Hood-for Muir
freesboro is but thirty-two miles from here,
Just one days heavy march. The gun
boats and iron-clsds are operating on the
river, so hewill find it difficult TO cross by
pontoons.
wish 70 make correction. Some sc-
counts state that Colonel Opdyke t'chargsd
with his brigade into the gap made by
Coxs mon giving way do not want 10
detract from Colonel Opdyke's merit, for
he aided nobly, but it is not fair that he
should acquire q reputation at the expense
of others. Colonel 0pdyke commands q
brigade in the 4th Corps. General Cox
commands division in the 23d Corps
The Attn Corps was on the right of the 23d,
snd must state thst Colonel 0pdyke had
opportunities enough to display his cOur-
age in front OF his own command, without
lending a hand to the 23d Corps:
Cox, in raIlying his troops, who slightly
wavered, received no aid from the 4th
Corps, for at the same time there was con-
siderable confusion in the front of the I'd
division, 4th Corps, and Stanley, and Wsg-
ner and Opdyke had their hands full enough
there, without helping their neighbors.
Again, the telegraph commits an error
when'it states that the brunt of the fight
fell on the "2d division, 4th Corps" It
should be "28d Corps, and I'd division, zth
Corps,n for the LIST and Sd divisions of the
4th Corps were only partially engaged
Cincinnati Commercial.