Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-12-19
Torpedoes on the ROaOke River
DESTRUCTION OF cUNBoATs
Ac., &c. &c, &c. &c.


WAR DEPARTMENT. WAsnixGroN Dec III.
To Major Gen Dix
The following official report Of The great
victory achieved yesterday by General Thomas
and his gallant army, over the rebel forces under
Gen Hood in front of Nashville, was received
this morning. One OF the most depressing cir
cumstances connected with the great achieve
ment is the severe loss suffered by our troops.
embracing, among other things, the admirable
skill and caution OF Gen Thomas in his dispos
ton OF the battle Ia our rejoicugs at the defeat
of the enemy, thanks are due 10 the Almighty
for His protection to our gallant officers ana col
diers in the great conflict We have passed
through The report Of Gen. Thomas, and also
an official report containing details. are sub
Joined:
HEADQu ARTERs, DEPARTMENT OF CUMBERLAND
: miles from Nashville, Dec l6-6 T. NJ \
+. NJ Stanton. Secretary of War:
Lieut. Gen. Grant:-This army thanks YOU for
your approval of It's conduct yesterday. and
sures you that it is not misplaced.
| have the honor 10 report that the enemy
have been pressed at all points to day On his
line of retreat to the Bentrose Hills Brig. Gen
Hatch of Wilson's corps of cavalry, on the right.
turned the ensmy's lett and captured large
number Of prisoners-the number not reported
Mai Gen. SchOfeld's corps, next Oh the left Of
the cavalry. carried several hills and captured
many prisoners and six pieces OF artillery. But
Mai Gen Swetch next on the left of Mai. Gen
ScoGed, carried the salient point OF the enemy ;
line north McSIilin's brigade of Macarthur :
division capturing sixteen pieces of artillery two
Brigader Generals and about 1000 prisoners
Brig Gen Garrard's division of Smiths con,
mand next on the lett of McArthur's division
carried the enemy's entreDchments, capturing
all the artillery and troops of the enemy on the
line. Brig General Woods troops Franklin
Pike took up the assault, capturing the enemy ;
entertainments, and on his retreat also captured
egh, pieces of artillery and over 600 prisoners:
lnd drove the enemy within one mile Of the
Brentwood Hill
Mai Gen Steadman, commanding detach
ment of the armies of the Middle Division Of
the Mississippi, most nobly supported Gen.
Woods lett, and bore most honorable part in
the operations of the day. | have ordered the
pursuit 10 be continued IN the morning at day
light Although the troops are very much
fatigued, the utmost enthusiasm prevails. |
must not forget to report The operations OF
Brig. Gen johnson in successfully driving the
enemy. with the cooperation of the sunboat
under Lieut.. Con-. Fitch, from their established
batteries on the Cumberland, below the city of
Nashville. and the success Of Brig. Gen. Crox
tons brigade in covering aud protecting cur
righS and rear in the operations of Yesterday and
to-day. Although have no report OF the mum
Der Of prisoners captured by johnson and CrOx
ton : commands ! know they have made large
number. | am also gl0d 10 be able TO state that
the number of prisoners captured yesterday
greatly exceeds the number reported by tele
graph The woods. field and entertainments are
strewn with the enemy's small arms. abandoned
in the retreat.
ln conclusion, | am happy TO state that
all this has been effected with but II small loss 10
us. Our loss probably does not exceed 1900.
and very few killed.
Signed GEo. II. THOnAs, Maj Gen.
NASHVILLE. December l6-9 T. M-During
last night Hood withdrew his front from the rv.
err and took position covering Hillsboro, Gran
nv Whites aud Franklin Pixies, which since had
been carefully prepared for this contingency. lie
was driven from the first line easily but the sec
ond was very stubbornly defended, aud lost hea-
vily. II was assaulted three times before sue
ceeding. It was carried, however, with twenty
pieces OF artillery and 900 men including Gen.
jackson. with The remnant Of his division, which
we're taken. The enemy was forced back Two
Whites Pike and one on the Franklin, with the
range OF bluff hills between them, Steadman and
Ward rushing down the latter by Smith and
and SchOfeld. the cavalry down the former
Hood cannot make another such dav's fight
while Thomas is in good condition To press him
Everybody. white and black. did splenddly
Signed +. NJ STANTON Secy.