The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-12-16
THU GRBAT BATTLE
YESTERDAY!
Terrific Charges of
Our Troops!
The Rebels Driven
Back Everywhere
10 Guns Captured!
1900 Prisoners
Taken!
Rebel Sympathizers
with Long Faces!
&c, &c . &c.

At early dawn, yesterday, our troops
were all in line Of battle, and an
ADVANCE commenced soon after day
light; the first movements were eau
tious and slow. The corps commanded
by Steedman was located on the left;
the 4th corps coming next; then were
stationed A J Smith corps, while the
cavalry moved to the right, and the
23d corps was held in reserve.
Little was done except reconnoiter-
ing til after noon; but at twenty min
utes before one, the order to advance
was given, and the whole column NOV
ed forward.
1t was evident that the rebels had
expected Thomas would make an effort
20 turn their right flank, and had
thrown out numerous inducements for
him to do so; but had carefully pre-
pared their works for the reception Of
our men. In order that they might
not be undeceived, Steedman at once
commenced to skirmish heavily on our
left, and we could see columns OF men
moving out in the direction of the point
they believed threatened but while
they were massing troops on their right,
we were massing the 10th and 23d
corps, aud the cavalry, under Wilson,
on oar right and the result was, when
the advance vas sounded, our right wing
pushed. rapidly in between the rebel
ieft and the river, completely doubling
up the division which had been posted
to protect battery that was bloclxa-
ding the stream, below town Tbe-bat
terry Itself, consisting Of four guns, was
captured by our cavalry, and the guns
sent TO the rear
By this time the rebels began to per-
ceiye that Aheir idea Of an attack on
their right was an illusion, and Hood
attempted at once to repair, his first
great blnnder bat it was too late. Our
right had gained a firm foothold on the
river bank, and was pressing on while
the I'D corps was taking up position
20 the extreme right, and A. J. Smiths
troops were performing half wheel,
driving the small columns of rebels be-
fore them with great ease By rapid
movement hill after hin was taken
without theslightest difficulty, and with
little loss in men
But an hour or two sufiiced to enable
the rebels to present a strong front, and
the progress Of our men was checked
Il was now apparent that the battle
was about to begin" and another di-
version on the left was made, 10 enable
our men on the right to get into posi-
ton, and strengthen themselves, 50 as
to be ready for charge
In front of the left of the 4th corps,
and about mile beyond the Acklen
place there. was line of strong earth
works, defended by a heavy body Of
skirmishers, and Gen. Wood ordered a
charge Upon It Riding along the lines,
he saw that everything was prepared,
and the word forward was shouted
by the different division, brigade and
regimentsl commanders, and with an
alaerity which shows the hero, and the
veteran, the men leaped over their
breastworks, and pushed forward.
confess ] did not expect that the
charge would be so speedily successful;
had no doubt of the final result, but
the distance was sixty rods, and the
ground was such as to allow a volley to
sweep down upon our men, who were
without any protection, and were COM
PEELED to move up a hill with a slant Of |
At least twenty degrees. But ten min
utes suficedi grand shout-the rebel
works were ours, and the banners of
the old 4th corps waved proudly over
their intrenchments. At this point oc.
Cured phenomenon unknown to Eu.
ropean armies without orders, our men
pushed on, nearly 70 the second line of
rebel works, and It was with the great
est difficulty that their ardor was re.
pressed, and the advance stayed. When
the men returned, they had with them
about 60prisoners, which, together with
a number captured in the works, made
over one hundreds
The main line Of rebel works were
now in full view They were located
on range OF hills, nearly a mile
beyond their skirmish lines, and
had evidently been constructed with
great care. Some time was now
employed in getting our men in posi-
ton The cavalry had pushed in, by
this time, until ats right rested on the
range Of high lands, about Eve or six.
miles from the city, and it was now so
far from the river, that its footing was
firm, and il had room to manouvre,
without difficulty. Instead Of facing 10
the West, it now faced directly South,
and the Corps OF Schofeld and Smith.
we're in position, directly parzllel, and
70 the left, the tkirnisher7, an along
the lines, having been advanced TO the
Hiilsboro pike, taking refuge behind
the stone fence. on the north side
willis the 4th Corps was formed at right
angles, the lat division lying directly
across the Hillsboso road, and the re-
naainder being 70 the left Of that
Nhiie these movements were in pro-
yreas. and our lines were forming, aud
he batteries being placed in position. ! !