The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1864-12-09

| III iui iS luluiHeHt. w 90 not believe
Gen. Thomas has any fears for the result.
He is not as weak as he would make the
rebels believes he is. lie can offer battle
to better advantage to himself in front of
Nashville, than at any other point lis
left wing rests on Murfreesboro, and when
strengthened by the forces at Chat,anoo>
! ga, 1t Will be strong enough to close upon
Hoods rear and cut off his retreat. The
rebel general is pressing blindy forward.
lhomss has prepared trap and the foe is
too eager to nibble at the bait. Already
the lines are closing aud each hour the
spreads of the net are more completely
woven around him.
Nashville, Dec 4.
No new development to-day save that
our forces are still entrenched in the south
east wing resting on the Cumberland The
enemy's lines are plainly 10 be seen from
high points in the suburbs and at the cap
ltol. They are entrenching themselves on
southwestern direction, about thee miles
from the city. During the day heavy ski.-
mishing occurred on our left and progres
sed along the line TO the centre. Many
persons witnessed the cannonadiug alon z
the right Of our lines. Nothing important
transpred to-day. The general opinion
is that Hood will attack the federal forces
IN the front Of Nashville. The federal
cavalry force has pa!rolsd the north bauk
OF the river at fords to prevent a rebel cav
airy force crosslDg, as Numerous unsuccess-
fui attempts have been made by them 10
cross since the Il: inst
johnsonviile has been evacuated, the
road has been interrupted and.porsioas Of
the trains from there are advancing 10 THIS
| point by land.
1t IS rumored here to day that orrest
has placed pon.oon bridge across tue
river above the city, and lhat Marmaduke
had occupied Johusonvile. Both are
without foundation.
The first block bouss on tie Cbattanoo
Ga read, 4 miles from :hs city, defended
by negroes commanded by Col. johnson,
who surrendered Dalton, Ga and was par
oIed, held out until this afteruoon. when
they surrendered. Johnson ana a portion
OF his men escaped.
train was fired into, and the copiuc~
tor and Others killed. Several leana5
from The train into the river and e.ca6ed
among them Col. Johnson, who is in the
city to>ni ght.
A reconn offering party, sent out Thurs
day, returned to day, having gone so miles
up the river, and report that no rebels were
seen or heard Of crossing the river and
meme appeared along the banks.
A rebel deser.er who came in today
reports that Gel. Lee Published an order
TO his men Friday afternoon complimeol-
ing tfem on their bravery and devotion.
and for the victory won at Franklin. and
assuring them that if true to ,hemseI, es
now, IN iron: of Nashville, they would
soon be enabled to enter, and take posses
slcn OF vas: amount Of stores contained
| there.
Nashville, Dec +.
lhe situation in a great degree is un>
changed since the advance Of the rebei
lines last night. 1t is reported that two
OF cur transports were captured last NIGHT
by the enemy, between Nashville aud
CIarksviIle. The rebels have established
| batteries on the Cumberland at uarpeth
Shoals. There was skirmishing on ali
! points of the line to day, with little loss on
either side. A large brick house belong
ing TO one Watkins, from which the en-
eny's shaipshooters ANNOYED workipomen
on our iortlfiCations. was almost deu0lisb-
ed by our artillery.
Our loss in the late battle Of Franklin.
II is ascertaned, will not fall short Of ,
600 men killed, wounded and missing. 4
number OF our wounded are still ID the
hands Of the enamv.
Nashville, Dec 5.
Perhaps my dispatches have not vet
made sufficiently clear, the fac, that on
SATURDAY afternoon and night, the rebels
advanced their main lines to about the
same position that their advanced p,ckets
occupied the evening before. Previous to
THIS, their hight wing had rested on the
Mnrtreesboro turnpike, and their lefs
near the Harding pike, but the advance
/ mentioned above has enabled them to ex.
tend their lines in such manner that ,Ler
almost incIose our own on the south side
of the river.
ihose who are acquainted with the 10
ca!ion about Nashville will understand
something Ct the situation, when say that
on the franklin pike the enemy's lines ems
close Meirose Park, while On GRANNY
Whites pike they pass near Dr.. Buckley
house The rebels seem to be very .p.r,.
ing IN the use of artillery, and up to las,
evening they had opened fir, only from
three guns along their entire line These
were P anted rot far from Granny Whites
pike. Half dozen shells were thrown
from these guns. There was heavy artl>
iery firing this morning near the center Of
our line, but it was Of little importance,
heconnolssances are being sent out 10 dis
cover The exact position Of the rebel wing.
but as yet without success. The rebels
are engaged very busily upon their field
works