Evening star., 1864-12-19
Thema.,s victory Before Nashville.


and the 23d corps was held in reserve. Very
little except reconnoitering was done until
after meridian, but at half past twelve o'clock
the order to was and the whGs
expected Thomas would attempt to t1rn their
right flank. All indications would presuppose
this.
They offered numerous inducements for us
to do so, and had carefully prepared their
WORKS to receive our forceslf we should attack
them in that quarter. To keep up the decep-
tion, Steadmans s command was ordered to skir-
mish heavily on our left, and our forces moved
in the direction Of the point believed to be
threatened.
While they were massing troops On the right
we were concentrating the 10th and 23d corps
and General Wilson's cavalry on our right.
The results were that when the bugles sounded
the advance, our right wing adyanced rapidly
between the rebel left and the Cumberland
river, completely doubling up the rebel division
which had been posted to blockade the river.
A battery was taken by our forces and sent TO
the rear
The rebels had by this time perceived that
our attack on the right was teint Hood soon
attempted to atone for his mistake, but it was
too late. Our right had established themselves
on the main bank, and were steadily advanc-
ing. The whole 23d corps had taken position
on the extreme right and Smiths corps, exc
cutting half-wheel drove the columns Of the
rebels before them rapidly; and after the hill
was taken, with little loss and less difficulty,
in an hour or so the rebels presented strong
front. Our progress W as for a moment che cked.
1t was now visible that the contest was about
to commence.
Another diversion on the left was made to
enable our men on the right to get into position
and strengthen themselves SO as to be ready for
a charge. In front Of the 4th corps, ana about
one mile beyond Acklin, the rebels had strong
line OF works, defended by a heavy line of skir
mishers, and Gen. Wood ordered charge upon
it. The word forward was shouted by brigade,
division and regimental commanders, with
pIOmptness and decision.
The men leaped over the breastTorks and
advanced, and in less than 20 minutes our
forces had possession of the rebel works, and
the banners of the ith corps were planted on
them. Our men, flushed with victory, pushed
forward rapidly without orders until they had
nearly reached the second line OF the rebel
works. They were only checked by the most
strenuous exertions. We captured 80 prison.
ers, which, with those taken In the rebel en-
trenchments, amounted to over 100. The sec.
ond line Of the rebel entertainments were now
in sight, located On the verge Of a hill, mile
from the skirmish line, and had been built with
great skill.
Some time elapsed ere our men were got into
position. Our cavalry had advanced mean
while til its right rested on the hills, six miles
beyond Nashville. Moving from the river, it
had room now to man9uVre without difficulty.
Instead Of facing to the west, 1t now faced dI.
rectly south. The two corps OF Schofield and
Smith were In position directly parallel on the
left, the skirmishers along the line having
been advanced to Hillsboro pike, sheltering
themselves behind fences on the north side,
while the ith corps was formed st right angles
in front Of the division lying directly across
the Hillsboro pike, the remainder lying to the
left of that.
our lines were forming, batteries being placed,
&c, the rebels could be distincly seen moving
by the right flank towards Hillsboro pike, with
view to prevent our turning their left flank.
AS far as could be aseertained by observation,
the entire reserve was thus thrown in front of
In themeantime our commanders sent rein .
forcements equally strong to our forts menaced
by the rebels, to confront them. At half past
ond line OF rebel works. The position was
strong one to reach. while our forces had to as
cend hills TO an elevation Of fifteen degrees,
without protection.
Our lines were four columns deep, with am
pie reserves. Our forces were massed against
the rebel lines and the veteran columns were
hurled against the rebels with irresistible force
and at ten minutes before p. m the charge
commenced.
The 1st and I'd divisions of the 4th corps
moved west and the Sd division at right angles
with il, moving south; on its right was the corps
of A. j. Smith. The 1st and 2d divisions had
the hardest task to perform. for their position
was more exposed. On their front the rebel
works were stronger than else where, and much
more formidable.
Under heavy fire of grape, canister, and
musketry, our men moved steadily forward
but owing to the rebels firing too high, itmostly
passed over them, otherwise the slaughter
would have been terrible. Some of our men
were killed, but the list of casualties were less
than could have been expected.
After advancing within one hundred and
fifty yards of the rebel works, their fire was the
severest. Our troops, however, never wavered,
but with a shout along the lines they again ad-
vanced, and were almost Immediately upon
the eneDy's entrenehments. The distance yet
to be passed did not exceed one hundred yards.
Reintorcements were in sight coming up, yet
the rebels evinced no signs OF retiring, and dis
charged volley after volley into our works at
distance of twenty five yards.
A few OF our meE had reached the woods
and were using the bayonet. Some few rebels
fed, who were follow ed by others, when soon
all broke and fed in the widest confusion.
Four u FOUNDER Napoleons their artiIlerists
attempted to secure, but only succeeded in
getting one Off the field. We secured three, and
two caissons, with large and small arms. We
captured in this charge about four hundred
prisoners. They report that Hood told them
they could hold their position against any
Yankee force that could be brought against
them.
hundred killed and wounded. Smiths and
Schotields corps had In the meantime az vanced
half mile 10 the south of Hillsboro pike, cap
turing there whele battery OF six guns. The
total OF artillery captured five being taken by
the 18th Ohio, on the extreme lett amounts TO
eighteen guns. Several battle flags were also
taken. The rebel loss in killed and wounded
is not less than six hundred, while ours is not
more than three hundred.
They have taken up a second line, and may
defend 1t tomorrow If they do not retreat to.
night.
One Of the most brillians charges made to-
day was by the 18th, 18th, 13ths 14th, 18th, and
1J1tl COlOTeQ regiments Oh Itdhl Hill, n6dT
Nolans Vile pike, which utterly routed the rebel
line. The colored troops behaved splendidly,
and lost severely. Colonel Shafer's regiment
17th) lost nearly all their officers On the
White pike, in front of Acklin's residence,
General Beatty led a charge on the first rebel
line at II O'Clock to-day. Our forces carried it
at the point Of the bayonet, and planted our
guns on the abandoned rebel works. Fifty
prisoners were captured In this charge. Our
losses were very slight.
We advanced here one mile, and the rebel
force retreated in great confusion. Lieutenant
J. w. Watson, 5th Iowa cavalry, was shot
through the breast, while gallantly charging
the enemy's batteries, and mortally wounded.
The steamer Pike, in quartermaster service,
while proceeding up the river. when three
miles from the city, was fired into by the rebels.
One man, George Blakeiev, was killed, and
four others wounded. The gunboat fleet was
lurned down the river, fourteen miles from the
city, and all day was shelling the rebel left
very vigorously.
Among other captures Of to-day was the
HEADQUARTERS of the rebel General Chalmers,
Consisting of fifteen wagons. Among the con-
lB -