The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-12-23
THE LATEST
BY TELEGRAPH.
FROM THOMAS'S ARMY.
Battle Below Nashville---The HneinS
Driven Back. gT-

Hoods army IN 'front.' OF NASHVILLE at
O'Clock this morning, and although the
battle is not decided, the whole action to-
day is described as splendidly successful.
Our line advanced on the right five
miles. The enemy were driven from the
River, from their entertainments, from
the range of hills on which their left rest
ed, and forced back upon his right, and
his centre was pushed back from one to
three miles, with the loss of II guns and
about 1900 prisoners, and his whole line
of his extreme right, when no serious at
tempt was made to dislodge him.
Our casualties are reported to be light.
Hoods whole army except the cavalry
and small force near Nurfreesboro were
engaged.
iAgned) E. NJ. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WARRINGTON, December 16, 9:1s An
To Major General Dir:
The following official report of the bat
tie before Nashville has been received from
Gen. Thomas:
NASHVILLE, Dec. Is, sP. II.
Iattacked the enemy's left this morning and
drove it from the river below the city very
nearly to Franklin Pike, q distance OF eight
miles. Have captured Chalmers headquarters
and train, and second train, with between
500 to 1000 prisoners and sixteen pieces of
artillery Our troops behaved splendidly, all
taking their share in assaulting and charging
the enemy's breast works.
shall attack the enemy again tomorrow It
he stands to fight, and if he retreats during the
night will pursue him, throwing heavy cav
airy force in his rear 10 destroy his trains If
possible.
Oh. THOMAS, Major General
No intelligence has been received from
Sherman later than published dispatches
transmitted by Gen. Foster and Admiral
DsblgreD.
Hood Utterly Defeated Sos. Twenty
Pieces OF Artillery Captured and a
Large Number of PrisOners...Our
Loss Exceedingly Small.
FROM SECRETARY STANTON TO GEN. DIX.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1880 A.
To Aaior-G General Die:
The following official report of the great
victory achieved yesterday by General
Thomas and his gallant army over the
rebel forces under General Hood in front
of Nashville was received this morning.
One of the most surprising circumstan-
ces connected with the great achievement
is the small loss suffered by our troops.
Among other things, this is due to the ad-
mirable skill and caution of Gen. Thomas
in the disposition of the battle.
In our rejoicing at the defeat of the enc
my, 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 interesting de-
tails, are subjoined:
HEADQUARTERS, Army OF THE CUh.)
BkLAND 8 miles from Nashville,
December 1916, IN.
To the President Of the United States. Z. n.
Stoaton and Lsxet. Gen. Grant:
This army thanks you for your spproba-
of its conduct of yesterday, and to assure
you that it is not misplaced, l have the
honor to report that the enemy has been
pressed at all points to-day on bis line Of
retreat on the Bentewood Hills
Brig. Gen. Hatch, of Wilson's cavalry
corps, on the right turned the enemys
left and captured large number of pris-
oners. The number is not yet reported.
Gen. Schofeld's corps next on the left
Of cavalry, carried several hills, capturing
many prisoners and six pieces of artillery.
Gen. Smith, next on the left of General
Schofeld, carried the salient point of the
enemys line, with McMannis brigade of
McArthur's division, capturing sixteen
pieces OF artillery, two Brigadier Generals,
and about two thousand prisoners
Brigadier General Garrards division of
Smiths command, next on the left of Nc
Arthur's division, carried the enemys en-
trenchments, capturing all the artillery
and troops of the enemy on the line.
Brigadier General Woods troops on the
Frankfort Pike took up the assault, cap
turing the enemy's entertainments in bis
retreat, also capturing eight pieces Of ar
tillery, something over 600 prisoners and
drove the enemy within one mile Of the
Brentwood Hill Pass.
Maj. Gen. Steadman, commanding de-
tachment of the different armies Of the
Mississippi, most nobly supported General
Woods left, and bore most honorable
part in the operations of the day.
have ordered the pursuit to be contin-
ued in the morning at daylight. Although
the troops are very much fatigued, the ut
most enthusiasm prevails. .n
must not forget to report the opera
lions of Brig. Gen. johnson, in successful
ly driving the enemy, with the co-opera-
ton of the gunboats under the command
of Fitch, from their established batteries
on the Cumberland River below the city
of Nashville, and of the success of Brig
Gen. Cations brigade in covering our
right and rear in the operations of. yester-
day and to-day.
Although l have no report of the num-
Der of prisoners captured by Johnson and
Cations commands, know they have
taken large number.
am also glad to report that the num-
Der of prisoners captured yesterday ex-
ceeded tue number telegraphed last
evening.
The woods, fslds and entertainments