Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-12-30

ADOut tWO 0Oobuo ~ eAO LOWE AeoO
Of the rebel governmentmade . Pilgrim
age to Hoods army, then south Of At
lAnta, and to that army he promised
that the Yankee columns should be
driven out of Georgia, the rebel army
occupy Tennessee, and mach In victory
10 the banks Of the Ohio. He undoubt-
sdly thought his commanders able to
achieve just such series Of triumphs,
for Hood ct once proceeded to the rear
q 6herman's grand army Ut Atlanta, BY
executing . flank movement. Flushed
with this apparent success, Hood pre-
pared for . grand conquest. Meantime
the veteran columns of Sherman had
been reinforced by those who had been
hometovote, and by conscripts and volun-
teers. Dividing his forces, he placed the
gallant Thomas at the head of the army
Of occupation, whose policy was to fol-
low Hood with rspidity, gather in scat
tered outpost garrisons, and by strategy
to draw his enemy on to Nashville, or
- near that base q he could find advan-
tageous fighting ground. Tho tables
were now turned, and Hood became the
pursuer. So hopeful of success was he,
that Schotield was compelled to accept
the wager of battle under unequal cir
cumstances.
At the battle Of franklin our forces
fought against superior numbers, but
all night were masters of the situation,
and without disturbance pursued their
way to Nashville. That battle cost Hood
e,OOomen many pieces of artillery, thirty
stands Of colors, and many small arms.
During this time Sherman was march
ing his army through the heart Of the
rebellion, cutting swath three hun
dred miles long by sixty miles wide.
To fire the Southern heart the rebel tel
sgraph and press were made to lie and
say that Sherman was met and whipped
here, there and yonder. The truth is,
he marched without meeting q serious
impeachment on the route. During this
triumphant march 1000 prisoners, 80
pieces Of artillery, 10000 negroes, and
$1,000 horses were captured by our for
css. At its termination, Fort McAllis-
ter, with q pieces Of heavy ordnance,
200 prisoners and numerous supplies,
was added to our prize list
But our victories end not here. A
cavalry force under Colonel Osborne,
sentout from Vicksburg on the
Oath ultimo, burned and destroyed
the track of the Mississippi Cen
trail Railroad for thirty miles, $4,000
worth of railroad supplies, 1900 bales of
Confederate States cotton, large
amounts of corn and supplies, ana cap
tared mrny prisoners and horses. Bur-
bridge and Stoneman must also do their
share, and they meet Breckenridge in
East Tennessee, whip and flank him,
then proceed to Abigdon, Va, destroy
railroad bridges, supplies etc, whip the
garrison, and at last accounts were caus-
ing the Virginia rebels to mourn thean-
ticipated loss of the salt works at Salt
Vile. And still again Breckenridge has
been repulsed with great loss and was
being pursued.
On the 18th inst. Thomas sprung the
trap prepared for Hood, and up to the
present writing the latter was in full re-
treat, with loss of about 1000 men,
about so cannon, IS Major and Briga-
dier Generals, over Is, 900 small arms, his
army broken and dispirited.
The guns of Thomas are not silent be-
fore McCook meets the rebel Lyon in
command Of that portion of Hoods
army bound TO the Ohio. defeated and
routed him, killing large number, and
capturing II pieces OF cannon.
The gallant Rosseau meantime meets
Fort Pillow Forrest, defeats and routs
him with loss OF 800 to the rebel
army.
Giilem, who, few weeks ago was de-
feated in East Tennessee, meets a rebel
force on the Holton, whips it and re-
captures all his lost artillery.
Ere this Sherman has undoubtedly
compelled Savannah to give upits Is 600
defenders, extensive Notifications and
vast supplies. We count it among our
present victories. Friends, the loss to
the rebel army in two months Of so 600
men, 200 pieces Of artillery and coun-
try extending from the Ohio to the At
lsntic coast is not descouraging. Three
rousing cheers for our recent victories
Abundant supplies to the families of
those who won them. The hour Of
peace approaches. God and our armies
speed it daily, 18th.
what has been Done.
1t is interesting to recount some of the
fruits of the last sixty days. campaign
ing. The footings are Us follows:
Guns captured ............................ 354
Prisoners captured ........................ 1850
Rebel killed and wounded......-... 800
Rebel Generals killed wounded and