Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-12-19
l:.
OFFICIAL DISPATCH.
The Battle at Nashville-IOOd Badly
Whipped.
WAR DEPARTMENT, WAsHINGToN,l
Dec l7tb-8.35 A. NJ {


WAR DEPARTMENT, WAsHINGToN,l
Dec. 17th-835 A. NJ.
To Major General Dir:
The following official report of the great
victory achieved by Gen. Thomas and his
gallant army over the rebel forces under
Gen. Hood, in front of Nashville, was re-
ceived this morning. One of the most sur
prising circumstances connected with the
great achievement is the small loss suffered
by our troops, evincing, among other things,
the admirable skill and caution of General
Thomas in his disposition of the battle. In
our rcjocings at the defeat of the enemy
thanks are due to the Almighty for His
protection to our gallant officers and SOL
diers in the great conflict they have passed
through. The report of Gen. Thomas, and
also an unofficial report containing interest
ing details, are subjoined: r-r
HEADQ'Rs Dept OF THE CUMBERLAND.
EIGHT MILES FROM NASHVILLE
~ December 49, GP. NJ,
TO the President Of the United States, Hon. Z.
M. Stanton and Lieut.. Gen. Grant:
This army thanks you for your approba-
tion of its conduct yesterday, and to assure
you that it is not misplaced, have the
honor to report that the enemy has been
pressed at all points to-day on his line of
retreat to the Brentwood Hills. Brig. Gen.
Hatch, Of Wilson's corps of the cavalry Oh
the right, turned the enemy's left aud cap
tured large number of prisoners
number not yet reported. Maj. Gen. Scho-
fields corps, next on the lett of the cayal-
ry, carried several hills, captured many
prisoners and six pieces of artillery.
Brevet Maj. Gen. Smith, next on the left of
Major General Schofield, carried the salient
point of the enemy's line, with McMillen's
hvi nf Mo A rfh iuic
ing sixteen pieces of artillery, two Briga-
dier Generals and about 1000 prisoners.
Brigadier General Garrard's division OF
Smiths command, next on the left of Nc
Arthur's division, carried the enemy's en-
trenchments, capturing all the artillery and
| troops of the enemy on the line. Brigadier
General Woods troops, on Franklin pike,
took up the assault. capturing the enemy's
entertainments, and in his retreat also cap
tured eight pieces of artillery, something
over 600 prisoners, and drove the enemy
within one mile of the Brentwood Hill
Pass.
Major General Steadman, commanding a
detachment of the different armies of the
military division of the Mississippi, most
| nObly supported General Woods left and
bore most honorable part in the opera
tions of the day.
| have ordered the pursuit to be contn-
ued in the morning at daylight, although
the troops are very much fatigued. The
utmost enthusiasm prevails.
must not forget to report the operations
of Brigadier- General johnson in success
fully driving the enemy, with the co-opera-
ton OF the gunboats under Lieut.. Comman-
der Fitch, from their established batteries
on the Cumberland river below the city of
Nashville, and of the sue ess of Brig. Gen.
CoXton's brigade in covering and returning
our right and rear.
In the operations of yesterday and to-
day, although have no report of the num-
ber Of prisoners captured by Johnson's and
CroXton's commands, | know they have
made large number. | am also glad to be
able to state that the number Of prisoners
captured yesterday greatly exceeds the
number reported by telegraph last evening.
The woods, fields and entrenchments are
! strewn with the enemy's small arms aban-
doned in the retreat.
In conclusion, | am happy to state that
all this has been effected with but very
small loss to us. Our loss probably does
not exceed 300, and very fewkilled.
[Signedl GEO. ii. THOMAS,
Major General Commanding.
NASHVILLE, Dec. 16-9P. M-During last
night Hood withdrew his right from the
| river ana look position covering Hills
sboro, Granny Whites and Franklin
pixies, which line had been carefully
prepared for the contingency. He was
driven from the first line easily, but the
second was stubbornly defended, and
at last heavily assaulted three times be-
fore succeeding. 1t was carried, however,
and 20 pieces of artillery, POS men, includ-
| ing General johnson, with the remnant of
his division, were taken. The enemy was
| forced back two miles and his army broken
into two parts-One on Whites pike
and the other on the Franklin, with
the range of Blaffy Hills between them !:
Steadman and Wood pressing down the lat
ter, A. j. Smith, Schofield and the cavalry
down the former. Hood cari't make anoth-
er such fight, while Thomas is in good
condition to press him. Everybody, white
and black, did splendidly.
[Signed] i. NJ. STANTON.