Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-12-03
PROM NASHVILLE.

NASHVILLE O6C- q
I have received full accounts of the late
battle at Franklin and its antecedents,
which must be chronicled as one of the
most brilliant in its general results. For
three days sharp skirmishing was kept up,
during the retirement of our army to
Duck River, during which time multi
plicity of exploits and successes resulted
to. the national arms.
General Cox conducted the rear guard,
and on the 29th ult achieved splendid
victory over the rebels at Spring Hill.
General Wilson's cavalry gained series
of important successes over Forests adj
vance, under Roddy, on the pike between
Triune and Spring Hill.
During the afternoon of the Both, the
rebel army severely pressed us under
Hood, who had Cheathams and Stewards
corps, and a portion of Dick Taylors
command, numbering, in ali, over $4,000
men.
Owing to General Cox's gallant check
at Spring Hill, a portion of the 18th and
18th corps were enabled to gain Franklin
early in the day, where they threw up a
line of works, extending from one end to
the other of the curves in the river, be-
took position. At precisely 4 o'clock in
the afternoon the entire rebel force made
charge, and succeeded in making tenn
porary break in our centre, which was
commanded by Wagner. With the char
acteristic impstuosity of the soldiers com
posing Chestham's corps, they dashed in
to the breastworks, and cooperating with
the attacking party on their LETT, attempt
ed to envelope and destroy our troops on
the right In the nick of time the
troops of Wagner were rallied, and throw
ing their whole force upon the rebel col
umn, drove back the stOrming party in
great disorder, capturing several hundred
prisoners
Four times afterwards the rebels charged
these lines, but we're repulsed as often
with great slaughter. The rebels number
ed at least two to our one. Nearly half
of the 4th and 23d corps were in reserve
| Our breastworks were not over knee-high.
The rebel loss in killed is three times our
own, while their wounded were six times
more than ours. Most of our men were
wounded in the head, arms and body.
The artillery fire of the enemy was
made with great accuracy, but their am
munition consisted chiefly of shot and
shell, while for two hours immense qUanti-
ties of more murderous missiles were
hailed with fearful fury, into the rebel
lines.
All attempts of the rebels to gain per
manent advance were frustrated, and at
dark the Federal position was unchanged,
while the rebels retired to cove Of woods
south of the Columbia pike.
The rebel loss, as before stated, is 5000,
including over 1000 prisoners, an unusual
number of whom were officers. Our loss
reached a total of about 900.
An artillery duel was kept up till nearly
midnight, when our troops commenced
crossing Harpeth River, bringing all our
trains and parsphernslis over in safety
before daylight. The army then retired
to within four miles of this city, at which
point our front line confronts the enemy.
The falling back of the army is in ac-
cordance with the programme. And the
battle at Franklin, though one of the most
brilliant form, was an inoportune affair,
and was brought about by the necessity of
checking the rebel advance and to secure
the safe crossing of the river by our
trains.
LATER.
Additional reports received from the
late victory at Franklin says, 80 stand
of colors were captured by General Stan
ley's corps and Riley's old brigade
General Stanley, commanding the 4th
Corps, had very narrow escape, having
had his horse shot from under him, and
was shot in the right shoulder, the ball
traversing his back and going out ct his
( left shoulder. He is is now IN this city
and though suffering considerably he is
still attending to duty,