Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-12-23

my heretofore from ascending tne river. we
believe there are other works further up the
river, which would render the navigation Of
the stream by the enemy extremely uneom-
Portable. The fall OF Fort McAlIister does
not by any means involve the loss OF Savan-
nah, but will necessitate the reinforcement Of
the troops defending that city.
At Glade Spring the enemy captured an
engine and IA fats with some railroad hands.
On these party Of men were mounted and
sent up the road toward Marion, aud dis
patch from the operator at that place yester-
day tells us that they were at 2 o'cl'k within
mile Of tha. place. Their object is easily divid-
ed;ts to burn the bridge over the Holston aud
break the road to prevent troops from being
sent down the line by steam to reinforce
saltville, To saltville the main body will
undoubtedly go--in all human probability
has already gone.
There are some fortifcation at saltvile
and some reserves--what number we do not
know. II these can check them by any
sacrifice reinforcements will soon put the
place out Of danger. At present it is GER
tainly in very great danger"
(Signed) 4. NJ. STANTON,
Ssc'y Of War.
WAR DEPARTMENr.
y
To MAJ. Cen Dir:
The western telegraph lines are working
very badly on account Of the rain storm pre-
vailing. The following unofficial dispatch
es have been received
NASHVILLE, Dec. 16.
have just returned from the battlefield.
Battle severe and terrific. Our forces victo-
rious.
Latsr-2.15 p. M--Hood has fallen back,
al is apparetly doing his best to get over.
while Thomas is pressing him with great Wig
or capturing guns and men. Everything so far
is perfectly successful, and the prospect is fair
to crush Hoods army. There is nothing
since my last dispatch from any other quarter.
EDWIN NJ. STANTON, Secy Of War.
NEwBERN, N. c., Dec. Is.
1t is reported here this morning that our
forces captured Kinston, where they struck
the railroad, and are still moving on into the
interior.
WAR DEPARTMENT. WASHINGTON, I
Dec 1850 A. NJ
TO Maj. Gen. DiS
The following official report of the great
victory achieved yesterday by Major General
Thomas and his gallant army over the rebel
forces under Gen. Hood. in front Of Nashville,
was received this morning:
Z" Headquarters Dept of the Cumberland, !
miles from Nashville, Dec l6,--l pm.
To the President of the United States, 4. M.
Stanton. Sec'y Of War, and 1t. Gen'l U. 8.
Grant,
This army thanks you for your spproba-
tion of its conduct yesterday, and assures you
that it is not misplaced.
have the honor to report that the eaemy
has been pressed at all points to-day on his
line of retreat to the Brentwood Hills. Brig
Gem Hatch of Wilson's corps of cavalry, On
the right, turned the enemy's left and cap
tured large number of prisoner, ,--nu.nber
not yet reported.
Maj. Gen. SchofeId's corps next on the
left Of the cavalry, carried several hills,
capturing many prisoners and several pieces
of artillery, two Brigadier Generals, and
about 1000 prisoners.
Brig. Gen. Ganard's division of Smiths
cammand. next on the left to McArthur's d.
vision, carried the enemy's entire entrench-
ments. capturing all the artillery and troops
of the enemy in the line. Maj. Gen. Woods
troops on the Franklin pike took up the as
sault, captured the enemys entrenchments,
and in his retreat capturad eight pieces Of ar
tillery, something ever 500 prisoners, and
drove the enemy within one mile Of Brent
wood Hill Pass.
Maj. Gen. Steadman. commanding detatch-
ments Of the different armies Of the military
division from Mississippi, most noby sup
ported Gen. Woods left and bore most
honorable part in the operations of the day.
have ordered the pursuit to be continued
in the morning at daylight, although the
troops are very much fatgued. The utmost
enthusiasm prevails.
:, must cot forget to report the operations
OF Brig. Gen. Johnson in successfully driving
the enemy with the cooperation Of the gun
boats under Lieut. Com. Fitch from treir
batteries on the Cumberland river below the
city OF Nashville and Of the services Of Brig.
Croxton, on our right and rear.
In the operations Of yesterday and to-day,
though have received no report OF the num-
ber of prisoners captured by Johnson's and
Croxtons command, know they have made
q large number.
| am glad to be able to state that the num-
Der of prisoners captured yesterday greatly
exceeds the number reported by telegraph
last evening. The woods. fields and en-
trenchments were strewn with the enemys
small arms, abandoned in his retreat.
In conclusion l am happy to state that all
this has been effected with but very small
loss 10 US Our iues Ptooopi} uoos not ex-
coed 300 and very few killed. ..l .r
Signed GEO. ii. THOMAS.
Maj. General Commanding.
NASHVILLE. Dec. l6--9 p. m.
During last night Hood withdrew his right
from the river and took a position on the
hills, covering Groham, White and Franklin
pixies, which position had been carefully pre-
pared for just this contingency. He was driv-
en- from The first line easily, but the second
was very stubbornly defended. aud was At
last heavily assaulted three times before sue
ceeding. IL was carried, however, aud 20
pieces of artillery and 1000 men (including
Gen. Jackson with the remnant of his divi-
sion) were taken. The enemy was forced
back two miles and his army broke into two
parts. One on the White pike, and one'on
the Franklin, with range OF blufy hills be-
tween. Steadman and Wood pressing down
the tho latter, and A. ]. Smith and Schofeld
the former.
Small arms lay as thick on the contested
line as the rebels had stood there. Hood
cannot make another days fshf. while Thorn
as is in good condition to press him. Caught
more wagons, (can's say the mum er.) Ey-
erybody white and black) did splendidly.