Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-01-04
GIe 4aiIu auurnaI.
PUBLISHED BY
JAMES II. AcGEELY.
p. N. THAYER.
JEO. h McHEELY
uaDEE TEE YIEM or TEE
Evansville Journal Company.
journal Buildings.
LOCUST STREET,
BETWEEN FIRST AND WATER.

!
Editors Journal
I should have written to you several
days ago of the battles Of the 10Th and
/ 18th inst, but since that time the victo-
riOus army Of the Union has been press
ing its demoralized enemy by day and
| night. A brief halt enables me to give
you hasty sketch Of the battles before
Nashville, or such movements as came
under my observation. | have not read
any of the accounts Of Northern news
paper correspondents, but learn that
some OF them are inaccurate, aud in
some particulars unjust. | ssas on the
field during both days and had ample
opportunities Of seeing the dispositions
OF our troops, their gallant and desper-
ate charge, aud the dnal overthrow and
discontinue of the rebel army.
The morning Of the 10Th, the army
was awakened by reveills at four clock,
With orders to march at six. The city
and surrounding hills were euveloped in
dense fog which lasted until after ten
o'clock. The note of busy preparation
could be heard along oar entire line
Everything was being placed in readi-
ness for the great struggle And here
let me describe the nature Of the ground
where the battle was 10 be fought
Nashville is surrounded by a crest Of
bills, two miles distant from TIE State
| House, which extend from the river.
above, In a semi-circle, to the river below,
making line eight miles in length
along this line strong earthworks had
been erected, behind which our army
had waited for the rebel attack. Beyond
this line, three miles distant, was anoth-
er line of hills which were held by Hoods
| army. Between was plain, partly
wooded, over which we were 10 dmove
on the enemys works About eleven
o'clock, just as the clouds lifted, the
army moved out, and with banners hy-
ing and amid strains OF music borne up
on the breeze from q dozen bands.
marched to the different pikes leading
from the city The sight was one never
to be forgotten by those who were fortu.
nate enough 10 witness il. Yet the
"pomP and pride, and circumstance" of
war, as we read Of it in books, was not
there. You looked in vain for "noddng
plumes and Fiery chargers" the men
were not deeked in crosses OF a mere Le-
! gion of Honor-only clad in blue-many
! of them n''dirty' blue, with here and there
an old campaigner with bis coffee pot
slung TO his cartridge belt, and piece
Of Fat pork adorning the point OF his
bayonet But they marched With elastic
step and with the air of men who we're
going forth TO do and perchance die for
the Right | stood on the Harding
Pike, at the line of our defenses, as part
OF the 10th Corps marched out, and
watched each regiment and brigade mar
| rowly There was no enthusiasm vent
ing itself in cheers only heard the
music and tread of men and the rumble
Of the artillery over the rocky road. A
line OF battle was formed as soon
as the troops were all out of the
works; aud this was the position: The
10th army corps, commanded by Major
Gen. Smith, was on the right; the lth
corps, commanded by Brig. Gen. Wood
Of Indiana, came next; and on the ex-
treme left were Gen. Cruft, with brig
ade, and Gen. Stsedman, with the Corps
d Antique. should have stated that
the cavalry we're on our right, so that in
fact the 10Th corps only held the ex-
treme right Of the infsntry line Gen.
/ Steedman made feint on the enemy's
right, but the real attack was to be made
| by Gen. Smith, to whom was assigned
the duty OF turning the rebel left. We
moved slowly forward for two miles, en-
/ desvorlng TO discover the position of the
/ enemy. The left of the 4th corps rested
on its works, and the 10th corps swung
toward the left The 4th and 10th corps
may be compared to a gate, which
hinged upon our works and swung grad
ually against the rebel left. The 23d
| corps remained in its works when the
movement commenced, but subsequent
ly marched By the right flank as a re-
serve 10 the 10Th corps
About two o'clock our skirmish line
became engaged, our batteries unlim-
bered and got into position, aud began
TO shell the woods vigorously. A rebel
redoubt, built upon a commanding hill,
was soon discovered, and our guns were
turned upon it A rebel caisson was
exploded, and the eneny's attention
diverted from the preparations on foot
for an assault Gen. MeArthurs diyi-
Sion Of the 10th corps charged up the
hill, over the earthworks, aad captured
several guns and many prisoners. Most
of the rebels escaped to fort on 3 still
higher bill, which a few moments later
was charged and taken by the cavalrY
Thus, in a few moments, two forts, com
manding wide stretch of country, and
protecting the rebel left, tell into our
hands. A little later in the day, Col
Hin, commanding brigade of the 10th
corps, took fort on the Granny White
Pike. He was shot through the head
Just as he mounted the psrapet The
results of the frat days 6ght we're eight
cen guns and q thousand prisoners.
. During the night, the 23d corps took its
position on our right and threw up
r works The 10th corps was in the cen
ter, with the 4th corps and Generals
Cruft and Steedman on the left
. The battle of the 18th of December
was characterized by the most gallant
: charges and most desperate fighting OF
the war. The comparatively small num-
Der of our loss can only be explained
by the fact that the rebels were 80 soon
borne down aud swept away BY the Av.
alanche of brave men which hurled it.
self against their works with reckless
bravery rarely equaled in the history Of
the world, and never excellsd. Thew hole
. line opened on the rebel works with ar.
: tillery early in the day. The rebels re,
!, Piled only at intervals They seemed e