Evening star., 1864-12-17
The Ground Paved with Small
Arms!
GLORY! GLORY! GL0RY!!!
Official War Bulletin.
WAR DEPARTM sNr,

WAsHINaToS CITY, Dec. II, s:3j a. M
Major General Dts, Ne,e York.
The following official report OF the great VIC
tory achieved yesterday by Major General
Thomas and his gallant army, over the rebel
forces under General Hood, in front OF Nash
Vilies was received this morning. One of the
most surprising circumstances connected with
this great achievement Is the small loss suf.
fered By our troops, evIncing, among other
things, the admirable skill and caution O.
General Thomas In his disposition OF the bat
tie. In oar rejcicings at the defeat of the en-
emy, thanks are due to the Almighty for His
protection to our gallant officers and soldiers
in the great conflict they have passed through.
The report Of General Thomas, and also an
unofh cial report, containing interesting details
are subjoined.
EDWIN N. STANTON, Secretary Of War.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT CuMBER.
LAND. Eight miles from Nashville, p. m, Dec.
16.--To the President Of the Cnited States Hon. z.
N. Stanton and Lieut. Gen. U. s. Grant. This
army thanks you for appreciation of its con-
duct yesterday, and to assure you that i. is not
mis- placed.
81 have the hon nor to report that the enemy
has been pressed at ali points to-day in his
lint OF retreat te- -ssse Brentwood Hills. Brig.
Gen. Hatch. of Wilson's corps OF cavalry, ON
the right, turned the enemy's left, and captured
large number Of prisoners-number not yet
reported.
"M j. Gen. Schofeld's corps, next on the
left OF ths cavalry, carried several hills, cap
tured many prisoners and six pieces of artil-
lery. Breves Maj. Gen. Smith, next on left of
Mai Gen. SchofeId, carried the salient point
OF enemys line with McMillan's brigade, of
McArthur's division. capturing sixteen pieces
OF artillery, two bfigadier generals and about
2,0c0 prisoners.
@Br,gadier General Garrard's division, of
Smiths command, next on the left OF McAr-
thurs division. carried the enemy's entrsnch-
ments, capturing all the artillery and troops OF
tbs eL emy on the line.
~Brigadier General Woods troops, on the
Franklin pike took up the assault carrying
the enemy's entren chments, In his retreat cap.
tured eight pieces Of artillery, something over
SIX hundred prisoners, and drove the enemy
within one mile ef the Brentwood Hill Pass.
"Ma]or General Steedm an, commanding de.
taehments Of the different armies Of the Militia
~ Division OF Mississippi, most nobly support
q
ofable part in the operations OF the day
81 have ordered the pursuit to be continued
in the morning at daylight, although the troops
are very much fatigued.
"Ths utmost enthusiasm prevails. / must
NOT forget to report the operations OF Brig.
0ea. johnson In successfully driyinie the
enemy, with the CO Operation OF the gun boats
uAder Lieut. Commander Fitch. from their
established batteries on the Cumberland river,
below the city Of Nash vile, and Of the su ccess
OF Brig. Gen. Uroxton's brigade in covering
and returning our right and rear. The opera
tons OF yesterday and day, although have
NO report OF the number Of prisoners captured
ey Johnsons and Croxtons command,
know they have made a large number
81 am glad to be able to state that the umber
Of prisoners captured yesterday greatly exceeds
the number reported by telegraph last evening.
The woods. fields, and intrenehmsnts are
s~eWn with the enemys small-arms abap.
ooaed In their retreat. In conclusion, / am
happy to state all this has been effected with
oas very small loss to u.s.
"our loss probably does not exceed .hree
nunared, aud very few killed.
"GEo. II. THOMAS, Mai Gen.
NAshr riLLs, TENN, p. IN Dec l6, 1861
D"rihs i's' night Hood withdrew his rght
nom river and took new posttior cova-,,
Hiilsbcro', Granny Wui,e .ra r-..r,.e
Pfkes, which line had been carefuI,x r,sn...s
for Just this contingency. He was driy.n tror.
the frat lire easily. but the second wa. CO.
borniy defended. and At last heavily as. .n,,sa
hxee times before succeeding.
sit was carried, however, and twenty pisc..
OF ARTILLERY, two thousand men, inoludin-
dea. Jackson with the remnant Of his division,
were taken. the enemy forced back two miles,
ana his army broken into two parts, one ON
the White pike and the other on the Franklin
win range OF blufy hills between them, Stead.
man and Wood pressing dow N tha lattsr-A.
o1nitn, Schoneld and the cavalry down the
former. Smsli Arms lay a. thick op tina con
ested line a. the rebels had stood there.
"HooA can't make another such days asht
wnais Thomas y In good condition TO press
eht more waGons-cans say nuu,har
WI - and hlaok. did splsr dIaIv,,