Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-12-29
BATTLE OF FRANKLIN.

From an officer who left Hoods army on the 1st of
December the Selma Rebel ges the following account
Of the recent and bloody fight at Frsnkln Ten
nessee 1t appears that the enemy after being driven
ouI of Columbia. evacuated Murfresboro and uniting
all of their forces, took up position on the high cliffs OF
Franklin. Gen. Hood pursued them closely in their
retreat and when they formed line OF battle on series
of hills below Franklin, he hanked them out OF their
position They then fell back to their fotfcatlons on
the edge of the town. where they formed strong line
of battle Immediate dispostlns were made to assault
their works. which was done In front, chiefly by Oheat-
hams corps, with spirit and vigor, the various COM
manders leading their columns, the bands playing and
the men buzzaing.
Stewards corps was on the right, and Cheathom,
aited by of LEES corps formed the centre est
The remainder of Lees corps had been detached TO
create q diversion Forests cavalry defended Our
right and left fanks. The enemy opened very severe
and destructive fire upon our assaulEiDg line, and 1t
10 this charge the heavy loss of general officers oc
cured. The Irresistible bravery OF our men carried
everything before them. The lines were occupied by
troops, several IF Generals, among them the
heroic Oieburue being shot on the breast~orks. Ihs
attack Was made at FIVE Z. M ID solte the terrible
losses the army entered the eEemyo nes 10 the hghts
spirits, with bands playing and flags waving. 1t was
then discovered that the enemy had nj line, where
they I'd rallied. here they we're quickly assaed by
our men, aud severe and close fgnG eLsued wherein
the combataats were separated by adlch and breast
works.
1t soon became hand to hand fl yht which was con-
tnued into the hit un he enemy gave way and ra-
tired to the third Iiue The fight aga resumed on
this ine and kept up until O'Clock IN the morning
VIXEN an escaped prisoner informed orr command t"at
the enemy bad evacuated this line and retired to Nasa-
vie. Our army then pie this line, ADD early the
ext day pushed o. towards Nashville aud on the 1st
OF cember, when intorma left, the rear corps
was at Bren WOOD eight miles from NASHVILLE. This
would bring our front to the fortifcalioDs of Nash
vile. Our nogmsnt heard heevy hri0g IN the dlrec
tion of Nashville and many III 1t the city had
been taken. hrsa We fear are premature. iho enc
nv it was un 1ers ood commanded by Gen. SchO-
6.l5 and be and General Wagner reported among
the kill
The loss of the enemy could not be ascsrtaine1 as
they bad removed most Of their dead. Our loss was
heavy, between two and four hun6r d. The distes
sing mortality among our Generals is confirmed. There
were five ked-Cleburne StrahI Gran berry, Gist and
j Ohm @. Garter There were five Generals wounded !;
Quare, not mortay, as just reported. Brown, slight
y Johnson snd the names OF the other two were not
remembered by our informant. Gen Gordon cap.
tured A large amount Of stores captured,
peciay at Columbia. Recruits are joinng Hoods
army ia nun bers than sufficient to supply oil the
losses and the army is 10 high spirits. Gen PHO" ar
rived at bis plantation In time to capture large sore'
WELLISGToNIA The Duke OF Wellington was re-
markaoe for the c0olness with when he gave airec
tons. Even in the heat OF al engagement ne was
known 10 give vent 20 humorous observations, eePe-
Calv when il seemed raise the epirls OF DIS men,
Thus, when the British we're stormng b-oa)1z DIS
Gcace rode 10 while the balls were falling 'on1d e20
observing an artil ~ particularly active Inquired
the mans name. He answered "lay!or. "A
yery good nanie, too' remarked alog ton cneer up
nv meu our Taylor will soon make pair OF Dreacnes
in the walls - At this sally, men forgot Inc DANGER OF
their situation. burst OF laughter DroEa from them,
and the next charge carried the fortress.