The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-12-03
Reckless Movements of Gen. Hood.
GEN. THOMAS ENDEATORIEG TO IN
INITIATE THE ENEMY,
Desperate Fighting in the Entertainments.
TERRIFIC oNsLAuGHrs OF THE ENEMY
Capture Of Thirty Stands of Colors.


LOUISVILLE. KY, Dec. 2.
The Journal of this morning has the follow
ing :-"Gen. Thomas has abandoned his strong
position at Franklin and formed his line of bat
tie within three miles of Nashville.
Yesterday evening the two hostile armies
were engaged in heavy skirmishing and the
rattle OF musketry was heard in the streets OF
Nashville.
A battle of terrible fury is imminent. We
do not believe that Thomas has any fears for
the result. He is not as weak as he would
make the rebels believe. He can offer battle
to better advantage to himself in front of NMeh-
vile than at any other point His left wing
rests on Murfresboro, and when strengthened
by the forces at Chattanooga will be strong
enough to close upon Hoods rear and cut off
bis retreat. The rebel General is pressing
blindy forward. Thomas has prepared a trap,
and the foe is too eager to nibble at the bait.
The lines are closing around the enemy, and
each hour the threads of the net are being
more completely woven. We will not tremble
tor the result but will feel strong and hopeful
for the cause, aud look for victory to perch
upon our banners. Our troops are brave, and
Gen. Thomas is an able commander. We pre-
dict that the rebel arms will meet with terri
BILE disaster. Gen. Thomas has altered his
plans and will either capture or annihiIate his
army" E8kL VII N8
e7Ssfs NASHVILLE, Tenn, Dec. g.
Full accounts of the late battle at Franklin
and its antecedents have been received. 1t
was one of the most brilliant victories, in its
general result, of the war. For three DAYS
sharp skirmishing was kept up during the re-
tirement of our army from Duck River to
Franklin. In this time then multiplicity of
exploits and successes resulted to the Federal
arms. Gen. Cox conducted the rear guard,
nd fbo r,lk n
tory over the rebels at Spring Hill, while Gen.
Wilson's cavalry gained series of important
successes over Forests advance under Roddy
on the Pike between Turner's and Spring
HILL
During the afternoon of the 3Oth the rebel
army was sorely pressed uuder Hood, who had
Cheatham's and Stewards corps and portion
OF Dick Taylor's command, numbering in all
over $4,000 men.
Owing to Coxe's gallant check at Spring
Hill portion of the 4th and 23d corps were
enabled to gain Franklin early in the day,
where they threy up line Of breastworks ex-
tending from one end to the other of the curve
in the river, behind which our infantry com.
mand took position. At precisely at four
O'Clock in the afternoon the entire rebel force
made a charge, and succeeded in efIecting
temporary break in our centre. commanded
by Wagner. With characteristic impetuosity
tne soldiers composing Cheatham's corps dash
ed into our breastwork, and co operating with
an attacking party on their left, attempted to
envelope and destroy our right. In the nick
of time the troops of Gen. Wagner were rallied,
and throwing their whole force on the rebel
columns, drove the storming party in great
confusion. and captured several hundred pris-
oners. -Four times the rebels charged on these
lines, but were repuised each time with great
slaughter. The rebels numbered at least two
to our one, as nearly half the Esd and 4th
Corps were in reserve. The rebel loss in killed
is thee times that OF egzs, while their wound
ed is at least six times that of ours. The ar
tillery fire of the enemy was made with great
precision, but their ammunition consisted
chiefly OF shot aid shell, while for two hours
immense quantities OF more merderous missiles
were hurled with fearful fury into the rebel
lines. All attempts of the rebels to gain a
permanent advantage were frustrated. and at
dark the Federal position was unchanged.-
The rebels retired under cover of the woods
south of Columbia Pike. The rebel loss, as
before stated, is fully six thousand, including
over 1000 prisoners, an unequal number of
whom are officers. Our loss is about 1000.
An artillery duel was kept up until nearly
midnight, when our troops commenced cross
ing Harpeth River, bringing all our trains
and paraphernalia over In safety before day.
light. The army then retired to within four
miles of this city, at which point our first line
coGfronts the enemy. The falling back of the
army is 10 accordance with the programme,
and the battle at Franklin, although of most
brilliant character, was an impromptu affair
and was brought about by the necessity of
checking the rebel advance to secure the safe
crossing of the river by our troops.
LATER.
NASHVILLE, Dec. 2.
Additional reports received increase the
magnitude of our late victory at Franklin
Thirty stands Of colors were captured by the
Union forces. The 49ih Indiana regiment
caotured FIVE, the Ssth Illinois three, Reilly's
old brigade IS, and the 23d corps four.
Gen. Stanley, commanding the 4th corps,
had very narrow escape, having been shot in
the right shoulder, the ball traversing his back
and going out of the left shoulder He is in
this city, and although suffering considerably
is still attending to duty, He also had horse
shot under him.
1t is confirmed that Gen. Pat Chadbourne
of Temp is killed.
Gen. Kimball, commanding the I'd division
Of Gen. SANKEY'S corps. in the heat of battle
passed a rebel Major General. who told him
be was MORALLY wounded. His men succeed
ed in carrying off his body.
1t is believed Hoods main army is threaten
ing Murfreesboro.
Forests rebel cavalry is demonstrating ON
our front and right wing
Commander Fitch is here with fleet of
boats and iron-cIads.
Sufficient forces Rave arrived to insure not
only The safety of Nashville, but another I'm
ion victory in case OF battle under any circum-
stances.
Military men all unite in the opinion that
Gems. Stanley and Schofield conducted the re-
tirement from Pulaski in the face of the enemy
with admirable skill. and GROWING all with