Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-12-23

rear in the operations of yesterday and to
day. Q.
Although have no report Of the number
of prisoners captured by JUhns0n's and Cax.
tons commands, know they have made
large number. am also glad to be abs to
state that the number of prisoners captured
yesterday greatly exceeds the rumber re-
ported by telegraph last evening. The woods
and fields, and intrenchments are streYn
with the enemy's small arms abandoned in
the retreat.
In conclusion I am happy to state that
all this has been effected with but a very
small loss to us. Our loss probably does not
exceed 5000, and very few killed
(Sisnedy GEO. H. THOMAs
Major General Commanding"
GRAPHIC AND THRILLING ACCOUNT PROM THE
CINCINNATI GAZETTE.
The day opened cloudy, with indications
Of rain. Thers was dense fog at an
early hour, but this soon cleared away, and
at eight o'clock we were able 10 determine
the enemy's position. During the night Of
the 10Th, Hood Withdrew both his wings
from the river, contracted his lines every
where, and was holding a strong position
along the Granny Whit. Hills, his center
projected by his two lncs of entertainments.
Our own troops we're disposed in The fol
lowing order: Wilson's cavalry on the ex
treme right, Schoticld's 23d corps, consist.
ing Of Coucil's and Cos's divisions, a, first
held in reserve, but before the msn battle
opened had taken position on the left Of the
cavalry, thus forming the right. Our inGsn.
try lines, A. j. Smiths 10Th corps, consist.
ing OF the divisions Of Macarthur, Garrsrd,
on. a If
field. On the left of Smith. the magnificent
4th corps, I. }, Wood, consisting Of the d.
visions OF kimban, Elliott, ard Samuel
B"stty, was formed in close order OF battle
and partially massri. SLcedman, with C,urI's
division, and two hrigades OF ceiorcd troops,
held the extreme left.
Our plan of battle was a continuation of
that on The 10Th, in pressing the advantage
gained on the encmy's left
AT about half past s o'clock our batteries
opened from hundred pieces Simultaneous
~ along the entire lines The rebel artillery
replied feebly. Schofed marching down
the Granny white Pike, carefully cancsal
ing his strength, placed his corps directly
upon the enemy's left flank. Stedman, at
the same time, worked his way forward
The enemy, in the mean time, stryngthcd
his advanced line. This determined Wood
to carry this line without delay. In splcn-
did order kmbslrs first division moved for
ward to the charge, firing yolley after yoI.y
as they rushed to yard the rtbc! works A
whitening fire Of muskttry and canister
made them wav.r more. than once but still
they pressed on, until within half pistol
shot, when the enemy's fire became so dead.
" that our men, in order to return il more
etfectually came to halt Longer, p.rhs ps,
than any troops ever remained in such a 20.
sition, they stood and fred fast and furious
~ st the enemy, but they could not remain
there and live. A few gave way and fed in
confusion. The whole line staggered, and
had the rebels done nothing more than keep
up their deadly fire, We should have been
driven back; but they made movement to
shift their artillery, which our men received
as an indication that they were about to
abandon their line and retire. Raising ,
lcud shout, the division with fixed bayonets
rushed imPe,uously forward, and swarrnins
over the works, captured such rebels as had
not fed. They had time to get away two
guns, but the rest fell into our hands
As soon as this preliminary success was
achieved, General Thomas, who was seer
during the day ia the very front lue of the
battle, ordered charge along the entire line
Schofeld moved upon the right flank of the
enemy, and before bis veterans the rebels
gave way Ike frost work. The asssiled
hanN crumbled TO pieces as Scbofed ad
vanced, and vas rolled back upon that por
ton of The line which just now was attacked
by A. j. Smiths troops with a weight and
energy that nothing could Withstand Nc
Millen's brigade was foremost, and as on the
previous day, rushed RICH, up in the very
teeth of three powerful rebel batteries, ana
carried at the point Of the bsyonet the sail
ent point of tho enemy's works. In few
moments their works were everywhere car
ried, their forces utterly routed their soldiers
captured BY thousands. and every piece d
their artillery in our hands. Such as ss
capped death or capture, Hed toward the
franklin pike, and took refuge behind s. D.
Lees corps, which held the gap in the hills
Wood and StedInan, on the left, had now
united and prepared to assault the rehe
right, which was still unhroken. Under
cover Of the tremendous fire from our guns
! Colonel Posts brigade moved forward
Straight's brigade Of Sam Bestty's division
formed on his right in support Immedi
ately on Posts left, Thompson's co!ored
brigade was drawn up, and Morgans colored
brigade, next on the left of the enemy, re-
served their fire until Posts brigade com
menced to climb the hill, when perfect hur
ricane Of sbct, shell and canister tore th-o
his ranks. In the face Of this Are our men
steadily advanced. The colsred troops yed
with the white in the persistent energy gith
which they forced their way up the hill
Thompson's men, in endeavoring to pass
around to the left, met with terrible Gank
fire, which confused their ranks. The troops
on the right, torn in pieces by the terrible
FIRE, paused an instant, and at this juncture
ths brave .Colonel Post was MORALLY wound
ed. In moment all order vas lost, snst0ur
men, whose conduct had i,nmortslized them
i rushed back bleeding to the line from where
they started. Wood soon reformed his bro
ken battalion, and issued orders for a renew.
al of the assault, while Posts veterans again
assailed the hill directly, and Thompson
Africans moved on the rebel right. Elliott's
/ and kinball's divisions were hurled like a
thuaderboit against the rebel left Wood
l,in.self accompanied by all his STAFF, follow.
ed and directed the charga The rebel fire
blazcd forth anew. but our soldiers, without
| hesitation or pause, carried the entire works
with all their guns. and drove the rebels in
d:smay frem the hills.
! This was ths last stand The rebels made,