The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-12-19
War Department, Washington,
Dee. l7-8:l5 a. m.

War Department, Washington,
Dee. l7-8:l5 a. m.
To Moj. Gen. Die:
The following official report of the
great victory achieved yesterday by Gen.
Thomas and his gallant army, over the
rebel forces, under Gen. Hood, in front
of Nashville, Tenn, was received this
morning. One OF the most surprising cir
cunstances connected with the great
achievement is the small loss suffered by
our troops, evincing, among other things,
the admira BILE skill and caution Of GeBer-
al Thomas in his disposition of the battle.
In our rejoicing in the defeat Of the ene-
my, our thanks are due@to the Ala lightly
for his protection to our gallant officers
and soldiers in the grea, conflict they
have passed through The report of Gen
Thomas, and also an unofficial report,
giving interesting details of the battle,
are subjoined
Headquarters Dept Cumberland, }
3 miles from Nashville,
Dec. l6-6 p m.
To the President Of the United States,
Hon. L. NJ. Stanton and Lieut.. Gen.
Grant:
This army thanks you for your appre-
citation OF its conduct yesterday and as.
sures you 1t is not misplaced
| have the honor to report that the en-.
envy has been pressed at all points on bis
line OF retreat to-day to Brentwood Hills
Brig Gen. Hatch. of Wilson's corps ol
cavalry, on the right, turned the enemy
left, and captured large number of pria
oness-the number not yet reported
Maj. Gen. Scho6eld's troops, next on tn.
lea OF the cavalry, carried several hills
captured nlsby prisoners and six pieces o
artillery. Brevet Maj. Gen. Smith mex
on the left OF Gen Sehofeld, carried thu
salient point Of the eneniy's line. with
M'Mi.lan's brigade Of McArthurs divis
ion. capteftrIg sixteen pieces of artillery
two Brigadier Generals, and 1000 prison
ers. Brig. Gen Garrard's division o
Smiths command, next on the left O
McArthur's division, carried the enemy
enrsnchmeDts. capturing all the artiller
and troops of the enemy on the line.-
brig. Gen. Woods troops, on the Frank
lin PIKE, took up the assault, cap,urin
the enemy's entertainments and, in hi
retreat, also captured eight pieces of al
t.llery, over 600 prisoners, and drove tn
enemy within one mile OF Brentwood Hi
/, pass. Maj. Gen. Sieadman, commandiu
Q a detachment of the different armies of ii
g militia division of the Mississippi, mo.
0 nobly supported Woods left, and bore
3 most honorable part in the operations
: the day.
# l have ordered the pursuit to be CO..
tinued in the morning, at daylight, q
It though the troops are very much +
tigued. The utmost enthusiasm N prevail
:, must not forget to report the oper
u tions of Brig. Gen. johnson in succes
Q fally driving the enemy, with the G
operation of the gunboats, under t
20 command of Lieut.. Com. Smith, fro
ie their established battery on the Cumbe
70 land river, below the city of Nashvil
!; and of the success of Brig. Gen Caxtou
3. brigade in covering and protecting Q
"a right and rear in the operations of yest
er day and to-day.
ve Although | have 20 report Of the nu
se ber Of prisoners captured BY Johnso
and Cations forces. l know they hs
made large number.
= am also glad to be able to say Il
=, a. the number of prisoners captured yes,
,ss day greatly exceeds the number repor
BY telegraph last evening. The WOO
fields and the entrenchm mente are
'rk strewn with the enemy's small arI
ew abandoned in the retreat.
ew In conclusion. ! an happy to say /
all this has been effected with but n