The Shasta courier., 1864-12-24
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT
OF THE CUMBERLAND,
ElGBr MfIEs FROM NASHVILLE,

from the Union:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT
OF THE CUMBERLAND,
EIGHT MfLEs FROM NASHVILLE,
December 16th-6 P. ".
have the honor to report that the enemy
has been pressed at all points to-day on his
line of retreat to Brentwood hills. Br.gadier
General Hatch. of Wilson's corps of cavalry
on the right, turned the enemy's left, and
captured large number of prisoners. The
number is not vet reported. Major Gen.
Schofield's corps, next on the left of the line,
carried several hills, captured prisoners and
six pieces Of artillery. Breyet Major General
Smith, next on the left of Scho6eld, carried a
salient point of the enemy's line, with Nc
Mullan's brigade Of McArthur's division;
captu ing sixteen pieces of artillery, TWO
Brigadier Generals and about two thousand
prisoners. Brigadier General Garrard's di-
vision of Smiths command, next on the left
of McArthur's division. carried the enemy S
intrenchments, capturing all their artillery
and troops of the enemy in line. Brigadier
General Woods troops, on the Franklin pike,
took up the assault, capturing the enemy's
intrenchments and also eight pieces OF artill-
cry, and something over hundred prisoners.
He drove the enemy within one milc of Brent
wood and will pass that point. Major Gen
eral Steadman, commanding 9etachments of
different armies of the Military Division of
the Mississippi most nobly supported Gener-
al Woods left, snd bore most honorable
part in the operations of the day. have or
dered the pursuit to be continued in the
morning at daylight. Although the troops
are very much fatigued, the utmost enthusi
asm prevails. | must not forget to report
the operations of Brigadier General R. w.
johnson in successfully driving the enemy.
with the cooperation of the gunboats under
Commander Smith, from their established
batteries on the Cumberland river, below the
city of Nashville, and of the success of Brig
adler General Caxtop's brigade in covering
our right and rear in the operations Of yester-
day and to day. Although have no report
of the number of prisoners captured by John
sons and CaxtOn's commands, | know they
have large number. The number of priso-
ners captured yesterday greatly exceeds the
numl er reported by telegraph last evening.
The woods, fields and intrenchment are strewn
with the enemy's small arms, abandoned in
the retreat In conclusion. l am happy to
state that all this has been effected with but
very small loss to us. Our loss probably
does not exceed 1900 very few Of whom
were killed. GEORGE Fl. THOMAS,
Major General Commanding.
The above was probably the most complete
victory of the war, and the cheapest; OUT cas-
ualties being enf 3,OOO-a very small pro.
portion of whom were killed. Subsequent ac-
counts-for which see telegraphic reports in
this issue-show the victory more complete
and fruitful than General Thomas's modesty
would permit him to forshaddow~ Sherman,
meanwhile without the fear of the servants
of Jefferson First, Notwithstanding the terri
BILE threatnings of the Richmond organs has
marched to and invested Savannah, consum-
ing turkies and chickene, and all the good
things that laid g loose round" on or near the
line of his march. We predict that Sherman
will yet do we'll in this corn ry," and that
rebel journals will claim to have received
great benefit from his recent trip through
Georgia. All they are now waiting for is for
him to take and occupy Charleston and then
they will wipe him out. Grant holds the
head of the snake in a vice; his leutenants
will scotch his body and tail until he gives
up the ghost. From all scources of informa-
ton we are justified in saying to our readers,
Mcclellan is not now in command of our
armies"