Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-01-20
HOoD,s RETROGRAnE MOVEMENT.


A Nashville correspondent of the Tribune writes
as follows of Hoods recent march from the Cum
berlsnd river to the Alaba ma line. 1t wiz be seen
by our readers how, even by the enemy's own ac-
couats all the terrible stones of disaster suffered
by Hoods army, set adost by Thomas have been
series of most strocious fssehoods The correspon-
dent says:
The delay in bringing up our pontoons.in time at
Duck River was Unfortunate affair, regular
damper on successful pursuit andHaye the fugityes
good start ahead In connection with that, 10 For
rests daring and determined movements before ana
after Duck River, may be attributetttood success
full retreat 10 the south side OF the Tennessee AL
two three different points, well adapted Tor dc
Tense, Forests force, with brigade OF picked IN
tantry made logged aud persistent stand for some
time, keeping our advance ut bay, thus giving HOODS
large wagon train sufficient lease to Keep ahead
ont of danger and hood himself with his main in
iautry force to make good their escape across the
Tennessee.
Ii is quite certain that the advance of the enemy
reached the river about the 22d-some time before
the thanking column under Steadman could be on
hand 10 prevent their crossing over Finding they
could not effect crossing near Florence, with the
gunbOats in range nor vet at Decatur, anticipating
in that quarter opposition from both land and naval
forces, they laid their pontoon bridge at Banbrdge
right ucrOsS the shoals and fully ofgunboa reach
from up or down the river. Here they peacefully
effected crossing for their main army, aud not un
Ill Forrest bringing up the rear, was about 10 pass
over, was there any moleStatOn or opposition. BY
the way, il was somewhat amusing lew days smce
20 read the dispatches sent all over the country,
about SteldmGn, with artillery, playing on the enc
nv from one side while from the other the gunbOats
kept pcpperiug away, smashing the pontoons 10 the
smallest kind of atoms, Thomas, an the meantime
with his victorious army right IN the enemys rear
pounding and crushing away, and Jamming his fright
eued hOrdeS into cNhfuscd mass against the river
bauk. A lively Imagination would doubtless depict
hundreds of greybacks, with eyes dlstended and
qUiyCring lips, jumping into the river 10 escape
while Seadmau'S cOloret troops took special delight
IN firing on the unfortunate wretchss, sending them
to a watery grave, Unfortunately for the despatch
es HooiS main &my was at the time abouta week
OF over the river, having crossed without any mo-
eStatiOn whatever.
twas not until the morning OF the 2sth that the
rear guard under Forrest crossed the river, and
then. alter guarding the wagon train which had
slowly mired through sluSh aud mud during many
weary DAYS and nights lac was 50 closely pressed at
last that IN his anxiety 10 escape lac abandoned 1916
wagons % the north bank Of the river, which fell
into our hands. The roads were bad, almost lmpaS-
sable for wagons, which will account for Forests
detention and his determined stand at several points
ia order 10 secure the safety of his tram Atter
crossing and before he could secure the whole OF
IN, pontOOnS. oGT advance came up ana took
hand giving HIN parting salute and capturing
number OF the boats.
ol'd!uhHh iu"NNn ""' .ii"i ~ '4'"'i VIZ ~ W"
bank Of the Tennessee about the sans time the
rebel rear guard crossed the river at cambridge
and.I see by despatch just come in that lac has fol-
followed up the enemy and captured all his pom
ta,ns besides about 100 wagons and COO mJffeS-
Hood according To the reports OF descrterS lately
arrived, Is al tuscaloosa, and hiS army Will rende1
vOuS there for = Sime, reorgauiLe and prepare TO
make a show ct resistance against the sweeping aud
aggressive combinations OF Gen. Thomas. The Army
Of the Cumberland has acted nobly, and needs lit
tie rest but the lull in the campaign will not con
tiuue long.