Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1864-12-24

early hour. This soon cleared away and at 8
clock we were able to determine the enemy 5
position. During the night Of the 18th Hood
withdrew both wings from the river, contracted
his lines everywhere, and was holding a strong
position along the Granny White Hills His
center was protected by his two lines of entrench-
ments Our troops were disposed in the follow
ing order: Wilson's cavalry on extreme right.
Schofield, with 23d Corps, consisting of Couch :
and other Divisions were at first held in reserve
but before the main battle opened, had taken po-
stion on left of cavalry, this forming the right
of our infantry lines. \. J. Smith 9th Corps,
consisting of the Divisions Of Macarthur, Gerard
and Moore, next on the left of Schofeld.
On the left of Smith the magnificent 4th
Corps under Gen. T. ]. Wood, consisting of the
Divisions of kimball, Elliot and Beatty, was
formed in close order of battle and partially
massed. Steadman, with Crafts Division and
two Brigades of colored troops held the extreme
left Our plan of battle was a continuation of
that of the 18th, in pressing advantage gained
on enemy's left. At half past eight our batteries
opened from a hundred places along the line
The rebel artillery replied briskly. while Scho-
field. marching down Granny Whites Hill pike
and carefully concealng his movement, placed
his Corps directly upon the enemy left flank
Steadman at same time masked his way forward.
The enemy in the meantime opened on his ad-
vance line Thus distributed, Wood carried this
line without delay. kimballs lst Division went
forward to the charge, firing volley after volley
rs they rushed towards the rebel works. with
ering fire of musketry and canister opened on
them, which made them waver more than once,
but they still pressed on until within half pistol
shot. when the enemys fire became deadly
that the whole line staggered. Had the rebels
done nothing more than kept up their deadly fire
we should have been driven back, but they made
a movement to shift their artillery which our
men received as an indication that they were
about to abandon their lines and retreat, and
with fixed bayonets rushed impetuously forward
over the works and captured all rebels that had
not fed The rebels had time to get away but
two guns, the rest fell into hands
As soon as this was achieved Thomas was
seen driving in the very front line Of battle
Schofeld moved upon the right flank of enemy,
and before his veterans the rebels gave way like
frost-work. McMillen's Brigade was foremost
and rushed right up to the very teeth of the
powerful rebel batteries. and carried them at
the point of the bavonet. In Il few moments the
works were everywhere carried, and the foe ut
tcrlv ronted. Rebel soldiers were captured by
the thousand, and every piece of their artillery
in our hands. Such as escaped death or
capture fled towards the Franklin pike and took
refuge behind :. D. Lees Corps which held Il
gap in the hills Gen. Wood and Schoield on
the left flank, now pushed to assail the rebel
right. which was still in line. under cover of
tremendous fire from our guns. Col. Post s
Brigade moved forward. One brigade of Beat
tvs Division on his right. and Immediately
on the left Thompson colored regiments were
drawn up, and Morgans coored brigade was in
the line of that. The enemy reserved their fire
until Posts brigade commenced to climb the
HILL when perfect hurricane of shot and CAMS
ter poured into them, bat in the face of this fire
they advanced steadily The coorcd troops WED
with the white in the prompt energy with
which they forced their line mp till Thompson :
men, cndeavoring to pass around to the left, met
a terrible flank fire. which confused the ranks.
At this juncturc the brave Col. Post was NOR
tally wounded. In moment all order lost,
and our men. whose conduct immortalized them.
rushed back bleeding to the line from which
they started. Wood soon reformed his battal-
ions and issued orders for 4 renewal of the as
sault. while Post veterans again aSSaled the
hill directly. and Thompson colored troops
moved on the rebel right, and kimballS Divis-
ions were hurled like thunderbolts against the
rebel left Wood, himself, accompanied by all
his staff followed, and directed the charge.
The rebel fire bclched forth, but our soldiers
without hesitation or pause, carried the entire
works with all their guns and drove the rebels
in dsmay from the hills. This was the last
stand the rebels made. Their whole army was
now flying in rout and panic Had not night
interviewed the army would have been destroyed.
The appearance of the battlefield was terrible in
the extreme. The rain falling rapidly. and
the ground was thcky covered with dead and
dying. camp cquipagc trodden in the mud, was
mingled with shattered artillery wheels and
fragments of caissons. The result of the battle
1000 prisoners, 80 guns and 900 small
arms.
NASHVILLE. l7th-Our forces advancing south
ward this morning captured 200 rebel prisoners,
among them a Brigadier General and a number
of commissioned officers. The capture was made
10 miles south Of this, on the Franklin pike.
Among Confederate officers captured yesterday
was 3 Colonies, l Lieut.. Colonel, Majors, 4G
Captains and l57 Surgeons. Among the prison.
erS are Gems. Johnston Smith and Rucker. Gen.
:. W. Johnson. instead of being killed. as re-
ported, was only wounded. Early this morning
the total number Of prisoners captured in the
two days fighting was reported at $500. Hood 5
loss can't be less than 900 men.
LOUISVILLE. l9th.-The Journl learns that
Gen. Wood had got in Hoods near Frank
lin, and thinks Hoods army will be speedily
crushed.
NASHVILLE. l9th.-A courier who left Frank
lin on the 18th reports rebels in full retreat
Hatchs cavalry attacked the guards of rebels
Saturday morning. capturing large number OF
prisoners. Tenth Corps crossed Harpeth river
at Franklin on Sunday. Franklin Is reported
full of rebel wounded, not less than 1900 being
left on their retreat. Every church and public
building there has been taken for hospitals. All
the churches in this city have been appropriated
for the use of our wounded. Rosseaus COM
mand routed part of Forests forces near MUIR
trcesboro on the 18th.
WASHINGTON. l9th.-Following report of oper-
ations yesterday has been received from Thomas !:
The enemy has been vigorously pursued to-
day, hut have studiously avoided any attack.
We have succeeded in taking few more prison.
ers. Pursuit will be continued as early In the
morning the troops can march. have found
the railroad thus far but little disturbed. My
transportation will be coming by railroad in a
day or two On the 10th Maj. Gen. johnson 5
entire Division, with all brigade commanders,
was captured in the works, and Brig. Gen. Rick
cts destroyed brigade of the enemys cavalry,
capturing its commander. Among the captures
made today is the rebel Brig. Gen. QuarleS.
(Sicned THOMAS.
The following unofficial report has been recelv-
ed NASHVILLE, l9th,-l. p. M.-This morning
the rains have been so heavy that little progress
has been made. Our cavalry skirmished with enc
my short distance south of Spring Hill, finding
Forrest in command. The river is swelling ra-
pidly.
No intelligence from Sherman was received