Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-12-09
scHoF1EID

NAtHN1bbhs DEC l.
Parties arrived from the front ana who wit
messed the battle of yesterday, describe the
attack of the rebel forces as desperate. Four
charges we're made upon the Federal lines Of
masked batteries in body four lines deep.
Each time the rebels were repulsed with fear
full loss. The fort is on the north bank Of
tho river, opposite the town, extending up
the river and encirclng the town was the
line OF masked batteries.
Eye witnesses say this engagement in des-
perstion and furious fighting was hardly
equslled by the battle of Stone River.
Forrest in person was on the field rallying
his men Rumor is in circulation that he
was killed but it lacks confirmation.
About last night heavy reniorcements
reached schoheld which caused complete
route of the rebel forces.
NASHVILLE, Dec. |.
Hoods infantry force crossed the Harpeth
river this morning, but he has not advanced
that portion Of his force tonight His cav
airy crossed the Hsrptet river on the ford
above Franklin this morning at daybreak,
closely following Gen. Wilson who retired
in this direction. skrmishing in the advance
has occurred all day. Gen. Wilson occupied
strong position few miles south Of Nash
vile, and is able to resist any force the reb-
els may bring against him. The rebel Gen.
captured yesterday, was Col Gordon Of the
llth Tennessee. brevet Major General.
An officer who witnessed the fight yester-
day describes the battle as one OF the most
sanguine of the war. The determination Of
the rebels exceeded anything before seen. Al
though slaughtered by hundreds they still
advanced against our battery. Within five
hours eleven distinct assaults were made
against our works each failure. The ba tie
being ended our forces quietly withdrew from
the town.
Among the casualties is Maj. Gen. Stanley,
wounded in the neck. The rebel General
Austine is reported wounded.
NEW YORK, Dec. 2.
Georgia papers of the 25th and Richmond
papers Of the 29th are received. By these
papers which appear panic stricken, Sher-
mans movements must be very erratic. His
army at times is omnipresent, then nowhere /;
1t is reported here, there and everywhere,
and then it is not known where it is.
Richmond papers of Tuesday say the reb-
els still occupy Macon, and on Saturday last,
sherman had not approached Augusta. The
reported repulse of Fitzpatrick on the Oconee
river on the 2lst, is reiterated for the fifteen
time.
The Augusta Chronicle says that on the
came day the Yankees left the line of the
Georgia railroad going southwark, means
that, Sherman was moving to form juno
ton with Howard. Sherman's movements
having cut Gov. Brown off from all inter-
course with the eastern portion of the state,
the Lieutenant Governor (Wright) being al
Augusta, has assumed tx-otticio gubernatori'
al control over Eastern Georgia and mas is
sued a flaming proclamation revoking IL,
Governors orders regarding the militia, and
directs them to report TO him, and not Il
Gen Smith as Gov. Brown ordered. Gen
Wade Hampton from Virginia, and Bragg
from North Carolina are reinforcing tn,
Georgia rebels.
The Herald's Matches, Miss. correspond
ent of the 23d ult. says the rebel Gen. Buck
ner has mis- headquarters at Alexandria, wher
additirnal defensive works have been erected
tenuering it impossible for the Union gun
boats to ascend the Red river. Buckner i
enforcing merciless consumption in all tn
country as far around Alexandria as his au
thority reaches. Old men, young boys, for
eigners and natives are taken, as also are ex
empts
The Hsrald's New Orleans correspondent
confirms the report that Allen, the rebel Gov
ernor of Louisiana, had organized ten regi
ments Of negroes at Shreveport. They al
employed at present strengthening the d,
fences of that place, but are instructed in req
ular military drills. Allen expects soon
receive authority from Richmond to put theI
into the rebel army.
Gen. Lee in his report says he had stron
fight at Liberty and won substantial vic
tory.
NASHVILLE, Dec. 2.
Gen, Wood succeeds Gen. Stanley in con
mand Of the 9th orps,--Gen. Stanley bein
unable to take the field. His (Wood's} de-
perate bravery at the Franklin battle, mainl
contributed to turn what threatened to be
disastrous battle into glorious victory. H
succeeded in rallying his faltering troop
who repelled seven successive charges by tt
rebels. The great Importance of the victor
at Franklin cannot be oyer-es;imated, as
checked Gen. Hoods onward course and gay
our troops time to make due preparation
meet him.
There has been slight skirmisbing betwe'
our cavalry and that Of the rebels all day.
complete line Ell entertainments encircles tn
city. A portion Of our cavalry force e.
countered the rebel cavalry three miles fro
cit ka IN 10 he aha