The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-12-02
The Battle of Franklin.
sos sONR SF.rHE PARTICULARS.

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the result Of an attack on his position
at Franklin, Wednesday afternoon, by
the enemy in heavy force. We have
since aconversed with intelligent gen.
tlemen who were present, and gathered
from them some Of tie particulars of
this short but bloody and brilliant. en-
gagement
Before going further, we will
endeaVor to give the reader q
proper idea of the theatre Of this
stirring tragedy Franklin, the coun-
ty seat Of Williamson, is on the
South bank Of Little Harpeth
The stream winds nearly around the
town, holding it, as it were, in the lap
Of crescent The ground between the
horns of this crescent and connect
ing them is high, and gives a command
ing view Of the country on either side /;
10 the North il gradually declines, the
town being on The lowest part-to the
South, the descent is also gradual, the
country for q half or three-fourths of a
mile on the right and in front open
and clear of timber, whilst on the left
is thin grove set with blue grass This
elevated ground was occupied by our
troops, portion of whom reached
Franklin early in the day and imme-
diately constructed a line of rife pits,
and made breastworks-both ends rest
ing on the river This gave us line
completely covering the town. On a
ridge to the east, and on this side of the
river is the fort, which enflades the
battlefield The rear guard of our army
did not arrive until about o'clock,
P. u.
The army had scarcely got into posi-
ton, and ready, before the head of the
rebel column approached in the dis
tance to the South. Batteries were inn
mediately planted by them on all the
roads leading into Franklin, and in the
grove on our left These batteries
opened upon our position; and were
responded to by the big guns of the
fort, and the batteries on our line Of
breastworks. The enemy pressed for
ward rapidly without the formality of
skirmishing Shot and shell, canister
and grape were dropped into their solid
columns, cutting down scores as they
advanced, but they neither halted ner
hesitsted but with characteristic yells,
more encouraging to each other than
alarming to foe,-pressed steadily
forward. Not until they got within
musket range did our infantry fire a
gun then burst forth a volume of
minies on a deadly mission, producing
terrible havoc in the enemys ranks.
Volley after volley was poured into
them, fairly moving them down by
hundreds before they were checked
They repeatedly charged our works in
front of the I'd division 23d corps, tryslI
ing to pierce our lines at this point, to
get possession Of the pontoon bridge |
across the river; but ip every instance
were repuIsed with terrible slaughter.
Several times they planted the odious
ensign of treason on our works, when |
the fighting become hand to hand, the
daring intruders being either killed or
captured At one time they succeeded |
in penetrating our lines. but those who |
got within them did not get out again,
having been taken prisoners in body. |
The enemy continued desperately to
charge our lines at intervals until
10 o'clock, IN, when they at last
Withdrew, disastrousiy repulsed and de-
feated Never were men more conf
dent, more determined, or more despe-
rate; but against the stout bulwark of
Union arms they were hurled in vain.
Their loss in killed and wounded is es-
tlmated at from 5000 to 6,000 We
captured 10 commissioned officers, and
ga enlisted men, who were brought TO
this city yesterday. Amongst the Off
GERS are Gen. Gordon, formerly of the
18th Tennessee (rebel) cavalry; and
1t J. J. Jamison, of Gen. Cleburne's
staff Gen. Adams was killed and Gen
Scott wounded. There is also report
that Gen Cleburne was wounded but
1t Jamison makes no mention Of ii,
although he says, we learn, that Gle
Durnes and Cheathsm's divisions bore
the brunt of the assault, and suffered
areadfully 1t Jamison is himself
wounded in the left shoulder.
Our loss was comparatively small,
and will probably reach about 700 in
killed, wounded and missing. General
Stanley, commanding the attn corps,
a slight wound in the neck,
and had his horse killed under him.
Dur loss Of line and field officers was
arge, they being much more exposed
han the men, who fought behind
Amongst the officers
xilled are Col Lowry, lO7th Illinois,
>aptsins Bissel and Staley, of the l2sth I
indiana, and Capt. Steele, of General
,ox's staff
Il is admitted on al hands that this
vas one of the most Vigorous, and, for
he time occupied, bloody fights of the
gar; and in no other instance has the
disparity in the loss been so great
Our forces commenced during the I
light to withdraw from franklin, and
before dark Yesterday were in position
n the vicinity Of this city; having sue. ,
essively Withdrawn from Pulaski, Co
umbia, and Franklin, with small loss
L materials and men.
There was no fighting Yesterday.
What may be the intentions of Hood is
matter Of conjecture only. He may
eriously entertain the design of max
ng an attack'on this place; but with
u his rashness, we cannot think so. '
he bloody work Of Wednesday may,
it does not teach him a lesson, cause