Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-12-03
TELEGRAPHIO NEWS.
THE WAR IN TENNESSEE.

| Latest News from Nashville-The Rattle
OF Musketry Heard in the Streets-Our
Anxious for the Attack-The Victory at
| franklin Complete-Great Loss of the
Enemy-Heavy Casualties of Theirl Of
hcers-Further Particulars of the Fight.
LOUISVILLE, Dec. 2.-This mornings Joural
| says that Thomas has abandoned his strong
| position at Franklin, and formed in line of bat
| tie within three miles Of Nashville. Yesterday
| evening the two hostile armies were engaged
| in skirmishing, and the rattle of musketry
could be plainly heard In the streets of Nash
Vile. A desperate battle is imminent, but we
90 not believe Gen. Thomas has any tears for
He is not as weak as he would make the
rebels believe, and can offer battle to a better
advantage to himself in front of Nashville than
at any other point.
His left wing rests on Murfreesboro, and
y. when n, esIens.hened m by forces at Cnattanooga,
rear and cut of his retreat.
The Great Victory
AsHvILLE, Dec. 2.-Additional reports re-
ceiyed increase the magnitude OF the late vic
tory at Franklin. Thirty stand of colors were
captured by the Union forces.
Gen. Stanley commanding the 4th corps, had
very narrow escape, having his horse killed
under him, and was shot in the right shoulder,
the ball traver sin z the back and going out of
the left should er He is in the city, and though
suffering cons iderable, is still attending to
duty.
Ii is confirmed that Gen. Pat CIeburne of
Tennessee, is killed. Gen. Kimball, command
ing the I'd division Iof Stanley's corps, in the
heat OF battle passed rebel major general,
who told him he was mortally wounded. His
men succeeded in carrying off his body.
tits believed that Hood rs main army is threat
ening Murfreesboro.
Forests rebel cavalry are demonstrating on
our front and right flank.
Commander Fitch is here with fleet of iron
clads
Sufficient forces have arrived to ensure, not
on ly the safety of Nashville, but another Union
victory, in case OF battle, under any circum-
stances
The military men all unite in the opinion
that Generals Stanley and Schofield conducted
the retreat from Pulaski in the face of the en-
emy with admirable skill, crowning all with
Union victory at Franklin.
Graphic Description of the Fight
Especial Despatch to the New York Times.
FOUR MILES SOUTH OF NASHVILLE, Dec. l.
Gen. Schofield Yesterday fought one of the
prettiest fights of the war, resulting most disas-
trously to the rebels, with little loss to our
selves. After three days skirmishing, the en-
emy crowded our first line of WORKS yesterday
afternoon, and at four p. m. made most des-
perate attack on our right and centre, fore
ing our lines to our breastworks; which were
thrown up from river to river In an open field
on the Gum berland pike, which ran through
the centre OF the field.
At least half the rebel force engaged endea-
vored to pierce our centre, and came down
yiciously on Wagner's division, which after
desperate fighting, fell back, and Many's rebel
division, of Frank Cheatham's corps, got inside
our works and captured two guns. Our centre
was not broken, however, and, better still,
General Wagner successfully rallied his
troops, who charged on the enemy, recaptured
the two guns, and drove the division over the
breastworks, capturing one entire brigade and
its commander.
AT 43O O'Clock the battle was waged with
unabating vigor, the enemy having made
during half hour several attempts to break
our centre.
The Federal position was magnificent one,
and the result of these four days work was
maRnificently grand.
Ali this while the rebels had appeared in
front of our right. The plan was to pierce our
centre and crush our right wing before dark.
A portion of our infantry were engaged three
quarters OF an hour firing on the rebel column,
every charge made on our right and centre,
volleys Of grape and canister were hurled into
their lines, and only darkness prevented their
sac crifice being more awful. 1t is said that ne
canister shot was used by the rebels during the
day, but fired shot and shell.
After the first break OF Wagner's division and
its recovery, our line never budged step All
was quiet after 10 p. m. 1t was not only one of
the prettieSt but cledneSt battles of the war. The
excessive slaughter Of the enemy was owing to
our wholesale use of canister and grape, and
our selection Of the ground. The battle was
fought in an open field, with no trees or UNDER
growth or other interruption. The enemy's
loss in killed arI wounded approximates 1000,
sral officer and several field officers. The
colonel of the 18th Mississippi, northern man,
of Illinois, was wounded and taken prisoner.
-Four. fifths of his regiment was killed, wound.
eu, and captured. Our loss does not reach a
thousand, hors du combat General Brady of
Illinois, while gallantly leading his troops,
was severely wounded in the shoulder. Our
loss in field officers is very small. Our troops
behaved handsomely. Schofield commanded
on the field, Stanley on the right, and Cox on
the left. General Stanley was wounded slight
ly in the neck, but remained on the field and is
all right to-day.
have told you all along the programe of
General Thomas would electrify you, and
this is but the epilogue of the BATTLE to come
off.
After our dead, wounded, and prisoners
were cared for, our army fell back to this
point, and are in line OF battle while write.
Up to this time, three p m, the enemy has not
made his appearance. The Sd corps of veterans
are in readiness, and a battle is expected be-
fore tomorrow. All Government work is
suspended, and all are under arms, from Cen
eral Donaldson down to the unscientific la
borer.
The falling back of our troops was accom-
plishPd at o'clock this morning, and bridges
burned across Harpeth river to retard the |
transportation of rebel supplies. The cavalry
was handled prettily by General Wilson, be-
tween Spring Hill and Triune.
A. J. Smiths corps is in line OF battle, and |
the situatIons is particularly grand. Forts Neg |
ley, Morton, Cairo, and Houston, are aliveand |
the infantry movementy perfectly satisfactory. |
Something must Immediately transpire, as |
General Thomas is ready to strike, no matter |
how the rebels move.
Foreign News by the Steamship
china.
NEW YORK, Dec. 2.-The Steamship China |
has arrived.