The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1864-12-21
GLORIOUS VICTORIES
The Battle Before Nashville.

NASHVILLE Dee 15.-The army com
menced moving at davb break 10 dav,w with
Steedmans corps on our left, the 4th
Corps next, and then \ j. Smiths
corps. The cavalry force moved 10 the
right, and the I'D COPS MAS he'd in re
serve.
Very little. except accommodating, was
done till after N eridian. but II half past
twelve the order 70 advance was given,
and the whole column moved onward.
The rebels evidently expected that
Thomas would attempt to turn their right
fank-aI indications would presuppose
this-and they had offerd numerous in
ducements for US to do SO, and had care
fully prepared their works to receive our
forces f we should attack them in that
quarter To keep up the deception,
Steedman commenced TO skirmish heavily
on our left, and ~ our force moved in
the direction Of the point threatened,
and while they were mas7Ing troops on
their right, we were concentrating the
10Th and 23d corps and Gen. Wilson's
cavalry on our right.
The result was that when the bugles
sounded an advance, our right wing adj
vanced rapidly between the rebel left and
the Cumberland river, completely doub-
rebels had posted to blockade the river,
A battery was taken ny our forces and
sent to the rear.
The rebels had by this time preceived
that our attack on their right was a feint.
Hood soon attempted to atone for his
first faux pas, but it was too late. Our
right had established themselves on the
main bank and were steadily advancing
The whole 23d Corps had taken po
siton on the extreme right, and \ j.
Smiths Corps was executing half wheel.
driving the columns of rebels before them
easily and rapidly. The hill was taken
with little loss. The rebels presented a
strong front. and our progress was for
the moment checked, and it was now
visible that the contest was about to com
mence in another direction,
Our left was made To march; our right
to get into position and strengthen them
selves. so as to be ready for Il charge.
In front of the 18th Corps, and about one
mile beyond Acklin, the rebels had n
strong line of works, defended by heavy
lines of skirmishers, and Gen. Wood or
dered charge on it. The word for
ward was shouted by brigade. division
and regiment commanders, and with
promptness and decision the men leaped
over the breastworks and advanced. In
less than twenty minutes our forces had
possession of the rebel works, and the
banners Of the 4th Corps planted on them.
Our men flushed with victory, without
orders pushed forward and had nearly
reached the second line of rebel works,
when they were only recalled by the most
strenuous exertions, and had captured
sixty prisoners, which with those taken
in the rebel intrenchments, amounted to
over 100 The second line of rebel in
trenchments were now in sight, located
on range of bills, one 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, meanwhile, until its right
rested on hills six miles beyond Nash
Vile.
Moving Fl ON the river it had room to
vancouver without difficulty Instead of
facing to the west it now faced directly
south; the two corps of Schoiield and
Smith were in position directly parallel
on the left. Skirmishers all along the
lines having been advanced to IIillsboro
pike, sheltering themselves behind fences
on the north side, while the 18th Corps
was formed at right angles in front of
the division lying directly across Hills
left OF that While these movements
were going on, and our lines were being
formed batteries placed, &c, the rebels
could be distinctly seen moving to the
left flank, toward Hillsboro pike, with a
view to prevent our turning their left
flank. As far as could be ascertained by
observation, their entire reserve was
thrown in front of our right and center
In the meantime our commanders sent
endorsements equally strong to our
posts menaced by the rebels, to confront
them
At half-past three all was ready for
the charge on the second line of rebel
works. The position was a strong one
to reach which our force had to ascend
a hill to an elevation of fifteen degrees
without any protection. Our lines were
four columns deep, with ample 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 five L.
NJ. the charge commenced.
The 1st and ID divisions of the 18th
corps were massed to the west, and the
Sd division At right angles with it, NOV
ing south On its right was the corps
of \ j. Smith. The 1st and ID divis-
being in more exposed position. and
the rebel works in their front being
stronger and more formidable than
elsewhere. Under a heavy fire of grape.
canister and musketry. cur men moved
steadily forward but owing to the rebels
firing too high, it mostly passed over
them, otherwise the slaughter would have
been terrible Some OF our men were
killed, but the list OF casualties was less
than eould be expected, After advanc-
ing within l5o yards of their works,
their fire was seyeTest.
Our troops never wavered, but with
shout, as the long lines ranging along the
HiIlsboro' pike came in full view, they
again advanced, and were almost i'm
mediately upon the intrenehments. The
distance yet to be passed did not exceed
loo yards Re-enforcements were in
sigh. coming up, vet the rebels evinced
no SIGN of retiring. and discharged yolley