Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-12-20
THE BATTLE OF TIE 18th.

CINCINNATI, Dec. 19,
The Gazette publishes vivid description
of the battle of the 10Th:
The day opened cloudy with indications
of rain. There was dense fog at an early
hour, but this soon cleared away, and at
eight o'clock we were able to determine the
enemys position. During the night Of
the 18th Hood withdrew both his wings
from the river, contracted his lines every
where and was holding strong position
along Granny White Hills; the center
was protected by two lines of entrench-
ments. Our own troops were disposed Of
in the following order: Wilson's cavalry
on the extreme right; Schoheld's, 23d
Corps, consisting Of COUGHS and Cox's
Divisions, at first we're held In reserve, but
before the main battle they had taken q
position on the loft of the cavalry. thus
forming the right of our infantry lire; A.
J. Smiths, 10th Corps, consisting of divi-
sions Of McArthur's s. .Garrard's and Moores,
came next on the left of Schofeld; on the
left Of Smith the magnificent 4th Corps,
T. j. Woods, consisting of the divisions
commanded BY Kimbau, Elliot and Beatty,
was formed in close order of battle and
partially massed; Steadman, with Cruft's
divisions and two brigsdes of colored
troops, held the extreme left.
Our plan of battle was a continuation of
that on the 18th, in pressing the advan-
tsge gained on the enemy's left. At about
half past 8 o'clock our batteries opened
from hundred pieces simultaneously
replied. Schoheld, marching down Gran
ny Whites pike, carefully concealed his
strength, and placed his corps directly
upon the enemy's left flank; Stedman at
the same time worked his way forward
The enemy in the meantime strengthened
his advanced line. This determined Wood
TO carry this line without delay. In splen-
did order Kimbslps first division moved
forward to charge, firing volley after vol
ley as they rushed toward the rebel works.
A withering fire of musketry and esnnis-
/ ter made them Waver more than once, but
still they pressed on until within halfpis.
tol shot, when the enemy's fire became SC
deadly that our men, In order to return II
more effectuslly, came to a halt. Longer
perhaps than any troops ever remained in
such position, they stood and fred fast and
furiously at the enemy, but they could moi
remain there and live and a few gave
way and fed in disorder.
The whole line staggeren, and had the
rebels done nothing more than keep uI
their deadly hre we should have been driven
back, but they made movement to shift
their artillery which our men received al
an indication that they we're sboutto sbsn
don their works and retreat. Raising {
loud shout, the division with fixed bayonets
rushed impetuously forward, and swarm
ing over the works, captured such rebel
as had not fed; they had time to get away
two guns but the rest fell into our hands
As soon as this preliminary success wa
achieved, General Thomas, who was seeI
during the greater part Of the day in tn
very front line of battle, ordered chargt
along the entire line. ScLofeld movet
along the left and flank of the enemy, ant
before his veterans the rebels gave VS.
like frost work. The ssssiled flank crum
bled to pieces ss Schoheld advanced, ant
was rolled back upon that portion Of tn
line which was Just now attacked by A
]. Smiths troops, with a weight and ensrg,
nothing could Withstand.
McMillen's brigade, foremost in baLli
as on the previous day, rushed right up i
the very teeth of these terrible rebel Tat
teries, and carried at the point of the bay
onet, the salient part of the enemy's wor X
In few moments their works were every
where carried, their forces utterly routed
their soldiers captured by Thousands an
every piece Of their artillery is in on
hands.
Such as escaped death or capture, Ge
toward the Franklin pike, and took refug
behind o. D. Lees corps, which held tn
gap in the hills.
Wood and Stesdmsn, on the left, be
now united and prepared to assault Il
rebel right, which was yet unbroken.
: Under cover Of tremendous fire fro
;. our guns, Colonel Posts brigade move
f forward. Straight's brigade, of Sam Bes
tvs division, formed on his right in SUI
s port. Immediately on Posts left, Thonl
8 sons colored brigade wss drawn up, ar
f Morgan's colored brigade was next on tt
k left
The enemy reserved their fire uni
: Posts brigade commenced to climb II
> hill. when 8 perfect hurricane Of shot AZ
shell tore through his ranks.
It In the face of this fire the men steadi
l. advanced. The colored troops WED wi
}. the white in the persistent energy wi
Il which they forced their way up the hi
Thompson's men, in endeavoring to pJ
n around to the left, mst 3 terrible flank fl
which confused their ranks. The troo
on the right, torn in pieces by the tsrrit
/. fire. paused on the instant aud in th
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