The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-01-31
HOODS TENNESSEE oAMPAIoN.

The following Interesting account Of Hoods
Tennessee campaign is from the Augusta Consti-
nationalist: b.. 71cje Y
An intelligent officer whose prominent position
in the Confederate army gives him peculiar means
OF obtaining correct information aud who was per-
sonally cogoizant of all the events of the recent
campaign Of Gen. Hood, has, in a lengthy inter-
view, afforded us very clear insight into the
movement Of our forces beyond the Tennessee
River The statements Of the gentleman are so
wholly impartial and 90 eminsutly satisfactory,
that We feel 10 duty owe 10 the public 20 place
them on record, that the people may seo that tho
campaign was not 30 "ill-starred" and "fruitless'
as has been generally imagined.
From tho moment Gen. Hood entered the noble
old "volunteer State he drove the Federal forces
before him until beleaguercd within the strong de-
fences of Nashville, they at last stood at bay. At
Columbia, Thomas ayidently intended giving bat
tie, for he planted his army in fine position be-
hind formidable eashworks Our oom msnder,
Rho, though impetuous and dashing, isuot, BY any
means, reck less, instantly saw the needessness of
sacrificing many valuable lives would be
cessary in making direct assault. Accordingly,
be quietly evaded the Federals and by crossing
Duck River al point seven miles distant, success
fully fanked the enemy. This necesstated the
retreat of Thomas, our forces rapidly pursuing un-
til reaching Franklin, where occurred tho very
short, yet obstinate and bloody battle, Of which
our readers have already been advised. .Upfortu-
nately the coming on OF night prevented US reap
ing all the advantages Of that dearly bought victo-
ry, and the next morning developed the fight Of
the Federals after heavy loss in killed aud wouu-
ded, prisoners, artillery and munitions Of war;
Hence, to the very gates of Nashville, the path
was plain and uuembarrassed; and our gallant boys
trod it with lightnsss OF step and bsoyanoy of
heart. About the capital, Gen. Hood established
ia fhy.ftp b. -. e..
ces with the skill Of an old master Of the art Of
war; Until the 18th Of December be maintained
his position, annoying the enemy BY daily recon
noissances and expeditions against his lines Of
exterior posts and garrisons.
On the 18th Of December, Thomas, forced 10 do
by the pertinacious demands Of his
master at Washington, advanced upon Hood, and
was thoroughly worsted. The succeeding day,
(the 16th) he rallied forth anew, and attacked us
with vehemence Beaten completely upon each
wing, be would have been completely overthrow
bad not an unfortunate eontretemps occurred
which Immediately and disastrously changed the
whole tide Of battle. Our centre though not Sc
verely pressed, gave way suddsnly-our works
were abandoned, and q fight ensueG. The wings
unable to contend longer, yielded, and what should
have been q victory, with Nashville as the prize,
resulted in sad defeat. This was one of those
uexplicable affairs that so mystify aud darken the
wholly uaaccountable, and we fear must ever re-
main We lost by this unlucky accident heav-
lily in artillery, from the fact that pieces were
all placed in O battery behind the works, and tho
horses were in safety some distance to the rear
Our losses in men and other material insight.
icant, whilst those of the enemy must have reach
ed fully ten thousand. ,.
That Thomas was very badly damaged is evil
dent from the fact that he did pot follow up his
Il, IL Il L. L.
quite much surprised at the issue Of the contest
as our own commander. Six days thereafter our
army was only forty miles distant from the battle
field, and without molestation withdrew TO the
South Of the Tennessee River, bringing with it,
among other supplies, one thousand beef cattlo and
len thousand hogs.
The retreat was marked by no preoipitaney-
he abandonment Of NO trains, nor the desertion Of
any troops. At Columbia, the Tennessee soldiers
locked about their favorite leader, Gen. Cheatha,
and though reluctant to leave their native State,
expressed the noble aud heroic determination to
follow him wherever the good Of the cause deman.
1ed. The spirit of the people, as eyisced both
upon the advance and Withdrawal Of our army 10
mentioned, ss in the highest degree patriotic
They were liberal to the troops they have always
been, and exultant at the prospect Of redemption
from the blightiDg tyranny Of Lincoln aud Andy
johnson. TyranniEed over as they have been,
the Confederacy. From them there is heard no
whisper Of reconstruction or further intercourse
with the detested Yankees Total snd absolute
is what they alone want--it is that
Tor which they have already suffered antofa f-ongs
and for which they are ready 70 suffer still
greater accumulation of insult and oppression.
The spirit of such people cannot be brokeE, no
matter what disasters may, for timn obscure onr.
hopes.
Gen. Hood returned from bis campaign With q
oss of not exceeding four thousand, uhilo that Of
he enemy was four-fold. He completely out-een.
sraled Thomas 10 every movement; 20 such an ex-
tent, indeed, that fayoritc commander has been
relieved by the Washington War Dspar msnt. He ,
in raising large nnmber Of recruits in
South and Western Kentucky, who, under Gen.
Lyon, still occupy that State. That he vas not
wholly successful and tbat bic nano is not now
hailed as Of the ehefsst Of our military lead
ers, Is attributable 10 the accident ut Nashville,
against which human iutelligenes could have
provided. He has already suffered from much un.
deserved obloquy, but he bears all the opprobrium
as the good, and gallant, and true soldier that hs
in, should do. He quietly remarks that be knows
the penalty attending fsilore 10 the carpiog criti
cism and unqualiAed ceusure Of . hssfy public
But he is wlIiog 70 eheerfully sbide his time
With the spirit Of bis pobls army unbroksn,
With artillery suficient for fosee or City thon-
saUd men, with subordinate oommauden who re-
pose the greatest confidence in him, Gen. Hood
awaits opportune moment to recover the rres-
tige of tho Army Of Tepuessee.
Th. w;ln;nc,on Journal sara that the Hanf.5.