Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-12-09
Battle at Franklin, Tenn.


won at Franklin, Tenn, on Wednesday,
Nov. 80, when Gen. Thomas made ter
rible havoc among the rebels under the
lead Of Gen. Hood. Previous to this
battle there had been heavy skirmishing
for several days, the Union forces gradu-
ally falling back before Hood, first from
Pulaski, seventy three miles south Of
Nashville, to Columbia, about thirty miles
north of Pulaski and over forty from
Nashville. Pulaski was evacuated on
the 23d ult., and our army fell back on
Columbia the same night. On The fore
noon OF the oath Hoods advance had
danked this place, and fighting Of des-
ultory character commenced abon! six
miles west of the town, and lasted all
day--the rebels steadily advancing north
ward. On Friday, the 25th, at three z.
NJ, there was severe fighting west OF Co
lumbia for two hours-so near that the
infantry fire could be distinctly heard
During the night Of the 26th the town
was evacuated by our forces, which fell
back to the vicinity of Franklin, about
twenty miles south of Nashville, fighting
of a desultory character being kept up
nearly all the time, and the rebels still
steadily moving northward as our troops
receded. Thomas design in this retro
grade movement was to effect a concen-
tration of his forces, in which important
particular the rebel commander had the
advantage of him, both at Pulaski and
/ Columbia. Bot by the time Frank lin
was reached by the nucleus Of his entire
army sufficient consolidation was effect
ID, it appears, 20 risk general engage
ment; and therefore that portion of il
under Schofeld made stand, and a mos
determined and gallant one. The follow
ing account OF the affair is a little more
in detail than the description given by
telegraph. Ii is dated four miles south
Of Nashville, Dec. /, 1864:
Gen. Schoiield yesterday fought one
Of the preitiest fights Of the war, result
ing most disastrously TO the rebels, with
/ little loss to ourselves. After three days
diminishing, the rebels crowded our first
line Of works yesterday afternoon, and
at four o'clock made most desperate al
tack on our right and centre, forcing our
lines to our breas.works, which we're
thrown up from river to river in an open
field on the Cumberland Pike, which run
through the centre Of the field.
AT least half the rebel force engaged
eudeayored to pierce our centre, and
come down vicously on Wagner's diyis-
ion, which, after desperate lighting, fell
back, and Many's rebel division. Of
Frank Cheatham's corps, got inside Oh
works and captured two guns. Our cen
ire was not broken, however, and, better
still, Gen. Wagner successfully rallied
his troops, who charged on the enemy,
recaptured the two guns, and drove the
division over the breaStworks, capturing
one entire brigade aud its commander.
AT half past four clock The battle was
waged with unabating vigor, the enemy
having made during half hour several
attempts to break our centre.
The Union position was magnificent
one, and the results of these four days
works were mngnicently grand.
All this while the rebels had appeared
in front Of our right. The plan was to
pierce our centre and crush our right
wing before dark. A portion OF our in
tantry were engaged three quarters of an
hour firing on the reoel columns, who
stood their ground like madmen. Du-
ring every charge made on our right aud
centre, voIleys Of grape and canister were
hurled into their lines, and only darkness
prevented their sacrifice being more aw-
ful. Ii is said that no canister shot was
used by the rebels during tie day, but
Tired shot and shell.
After the first break of Wagner's d.
vision aad its recovery, our line never
budged a step. All was quiet after ten
p. NJ Ii was not only one of the pref
TEST but ceanest battles of the war
The excessive slaughter of the enemy
was owing to our wholesale use Of can
ister and grape, and our selection Of the
ground. The battle was fought in an
open field, with no trees or underground,
or other interruption. The enemy's loss
ia killed and wounded approximated four
thousand, aud we have over thousand
prisoners, and one general officer and
several field officers. The Colonel Of
the Fifteenth Mississippi, northern
man, Of Illinois, was wounded aud taken
prisoner. Four fifhs Of his regiment
were killed, wounded aud captured