The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-12-09
FROM THOMAs's ARMY.
Situation Unchanged..-Skirm
near Nashville..Safety of Murfrees-
boro and Chattaneoga...J5h nson
VILE Evacuated.


NASHVILLE, Dec. NO new develop.
ments were made to-day, save that our
forces are still in position, the right rest
ing on the Cumberland. The enemys
lines are plainly to be seen from high
points in the suburbs and from the Capitol.
They are entrenching themselves in a
southwestern direction, abouSt three miles
from the city. During the day heavy
skirmishing occcrred on our left and pro-
crossed along the line to the centre. Many
persons witnessed the cannonade along
the right of our lines.
Nothing important transpired to-day.
NEW YORK, Dec. 5.-The Times Nash
vile special of the Sd says the enemy's
line of battle is just three miles from the
city. Murfresboro, Bridgeport and
Chattanooga are considered safe.
Commodore Fitch has feet of gun
boats here. Gen. Oheat>am has his head
quarters at the house of Mr. Edmundson on
the Murfresboro Pike, four miles from
the city, and told me that Hood had or
ders to Nashville or to hell. The situa-
ton of our forces is considered perfectly
Satisfactory.
CINCINNATI, Dec. 5.-Major Gen. Stan
ley, wounded at the battle Of Franklin ar
rived here yesterday. He says reports
of the battle that have reached the public
have not exaggerated the rebel losses.
The fight was made to save our trains
which were Of enormous size and value,
| filling the roads for 10 miles. It was not
intended to hold Franklin longer than
necessary to get our property ont of the
+ way. The rebels had been pressing us
very hard from Columbia, and at time we
were in great danger, but Hood lost his
opportunity in not attacking us in force
at Spring Hill. w
The general opinions that Hood will at
tack the Federal force in front of Nash
vile. A Federal cavalry force has pa ;
| trolled the north bank of the river at fords
to prevent the rebel cavalry from crossing,
| as numerous unsuccessful attempts have
| been made to cross since the LIST inst.
Jacksonville has been evacuated and
the road has been interrupted and a por-
| ton of the trains from there are advance
to this point by land. 1t is ru,nored here
to-day that Forrest has placed a pontoon
bridge across the river above the city and
that Marmaduke had occupied Johnson
vile. Both reports are without founaa-
| ton
Schofelds army consisted of the 4th
and Esd corps, together with few regi-
ments that recently entered the service.
They left Pulaski November 23d, and SO
closely were they pursued that it was at
one time feared the artillery and wagon
trains would have to Re abandoned, but
by good management all were brought
through safely. IKE ...-. .
General Stanley has been in nearly all
the battles in Tennessee, Georgia and Ala
bama, but he says the musketry fire at
Franklin was for an hour the most intense
he ever witnessed. In addition we had 2S
guns in action having full sweep at the
rebel columns.
The Commercials Nashville dispatch
says Murfreesboro, Bridgeak It and Chat
tanoCga are safe.
Nashville and the surrounding country
for miles has been converted into a huge
fort. The destruction of rebel property
in the defence of the city is immense
Almost all the rich property holders here
aoouts are rebel sympathizers The All
vance OF the rebel army has necessitated
the destruction Of this property.
The Federal position is perfectly salts
factory.
LOUISVILLE. Dec. 5-This mornings
Journal has the following:
NASHVILLE, Dec. NOTHING of special
interest has transpired TO day along the
lines. Our artillery was engaged at differ
emit points against the rebels who a,a
erecting breastworks within hall a mile +
ours
Prisoners brought in to-day say INA
Brig. Gems. Gust, Strahn', Gramberg and
Brown, of the rebel army, were killed at
Franklin. Cheatham lost every Brigadier
in his corps.
Beauregard telegraphs to Richmond
that the Union forces evacuated Decatur
on the 26th ult., after burning large store
houses filed with provisions. His officers
rescued from the burning buildings fifteen
poatoon boats, and afterward pressed the
enemy close.
pEDCp OF at, EnNcTyD AWNn