The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1864-12-07
Battle of Franklin,

NASHVILLE, DEC. 2.-I have received
full accounts Of the late battle at Frank.
lin and its anteccdents, which must be
chronicled as one Of the most brilliant in
lis general results of the war. For three
days sharp sk;rmishiug was kept up
during the retirement Of our army from
Dutch river to franklin, in which time
multiplicity Of exploits and successes
resulted to the National arms. General
Cox conducted the rear guard, and on
the 10Th uIt. achieved a splendid victory
over the rebels at Spring Hill, while
Gen. Wilson's cavalry gained series Of
important successes over FORESTS ad.
vance under Roddy on the pike between
Triuuc and Spriu. Hill.
During the afternoon Of the Both ult.
the rebel army sorely pressed us, under
Hood, who had Cheatham's and Stewards
corps and portion Of Dick Taylors
command, numbering in al! over 1000
men. Owing to Cox's gallant check ut
Spring Hill, portion Of the lth and
23rd Corps were enabled to gain Frank:
lin early in the day, where they threw up
1 liue Of brcast-works extending from
one end to the other Of the curves 10 the
river, behind which our entire infantry
command took position.
, At precisely 4 p. NJ. the entire rebel
force made i charge, and succeeded in
making temporary break in our centre,
commanded by Wagner. With charac.
tcrStic impetuosity the soldiers compos.
ing Chealham's corps dashed into the
brcaStworks, and operating with the
attack!n" party OH our leit, attempted to
cnvelop and destroy our right. In the
nick Of time the troops Of Wagner were
rallied, aud throwing their whole force
upon the rebel column, drove back the
>,orminy party in great disorder, car,ur.
ing several hundred prisoners. Four
tunes after, the rebels charged in three
lines, but were rcpulscd as often, with
great slaughter. The rebels numbered
ut least two to our one, aS nearly half Of
the 18th and 223rd Corps were in reserve.
Our brcastworks were over knee high,
and the rebel loss in killed is three
zines our own, while their wounded are
at least six times more than ours, most
Of our mcn being wounded in the head,
arms and body.
The artillery fire Of the enemy WAS
made with great precision, but their am
muni,ion consisted chiefly Of Shot and
she'll, while for two hours unmerciiul
quantities Of more murdcrouS missiles
were hurled with fearful fury iut" the
rebel liucs. All the attempts Of the
rebels to gaiu permanent advance were
frustrated. aud at dark our position was
unchanged, while the rebels rctrcatcd TO
the cover OF the wood south Of the
Columbia pike.
The rebel loss, rs before stated, is
fully 6.uOO. including OYER ,O0p prison.
.r<, an Unusual number Of which are Of
ti"crS.
Our loss reached to;a! Of about one
thousand.
An artillery duel was kept up till
nearly midnight. when our troops CON-
mcncei crossing Il1rrc;h river, bringing
all our trains and paraphcrnaiia over in
safety before daylight. The army then
returned to within four miles OF thi: city,
at which poiut our front lines confront,
the eanmy. The filling back Of the
army is in accordance with the pro-
.rammc. and lhe battle at Franklin, al.
though one Of the most brilliant, was an
impromptu affair, and brough; about by
the necessity Of checking the rebel ad.