The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-09


back towards Nashville. This left the field to Il
enemy-not by battle but voluntarily abandoned
so that General Thomas whole force might be brought
together The enemy followed up and commenced the
establishment OF his line in 'front.' OF Nashville on the "a
of December.
THOMAS REINFORCED.
As il ascerained that Hood was crossing
the Tennessee river, and that Price going out OF
Missouri General Rosecrans was ordered TO send to
General Thomas the troops OF General A. Smiths com
mand and such other troops he could spare me aa
vance Of this reinforcement reached NashVhe on 'o
S0th OF November.
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE
On the morning OF the 18th OF December General
Thomas attacked Hood in position ana IN patte as.
ing two DAYS defeated and drove him from the Held In
the rtmos; confusion leaving IN our hands most Oh MS
artillery and many thousand prisoners including iour
Before the battle Of Nashville grew very impatient
over as II appeared me- the unnecessary delay This
imratience was increased upon learning that the
had sent force Of cavalry across the Cumberland into
Kentucky feared Hood would cross his whole army army
General Thomas the necessity OF Immediately assuming
the offensive started west to supernend matters there
in person Reaching Washington city, received General
Thomas despatch announcing his attack upon the
enemy the result far the battle had progressed
delighted. All fears aud apprehensions were dis-
oelIed am not vet satisfied but that General Thomas,
Immediately upon the appearance OF Hood before Nash.
VILE ana before he had time TO fortify, should have
moved out with his whole and given HIM BATTLE in
of waiting remoun his cavalry which delayed
him mill the incemency OF the weather imprac
iIcabe to attack earlier than he did But his final defeat
OF Hood was so complete that viii be accepted vim
dcaliou Of that distinguished officers judgment
HOODS DEFEAT.
After Hoods defeat Nashville he rereatcd closely
pursued by cavalry and infantry the Tennessee river
most Of his transportation on the 2sh OF December
forces asccrained that he had made good
his escape TO the south side of the river.
About THIS time, the rains having set in heavily IN
Tennessee and North Alabama, making 1t diihcut TO
army transportation and artillery, General Thomas
stopped the pursuit by his main force Mt the tennessee
river. A small force OF cavalry, under Colonel w. j.
Palmer, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers continued TO
follow Hood for distance capturing considerable
Transportation
tails of these operations will be found clearly set iorh II
General Thomas report
~---,~% Gidfh'cS's GREAT EXPEDITION.
A cavalry expedition, under Brevet MAJOR Generai
Grierson from Memphis on tho 2lst OF December
On the 18th lie surprised and captured FORESTS aus
mounted camp AZ Verona Mississippi on the Mobile and
Ohio Railroad destroyed the railroad sixteen cars
E0adcd with wagons and ponoons FOR HOODS army Tour
,thelsand new English carbnes, and large amounts OF
public stores the morting of the 2Sth he attacked
and captured force Of the enemy a. Egypt ana de-
siroyed ~ fourteen cars thence turning TO inc
southwest he struck the Mississippi Central Railroad at
winona, destroyed the factories and large amounts OF
stores at Bank ton and the machine shops ana pubic
property Grenada arriving at Vcksburg January o.
BR,cKi RIDGES TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN.
During these operations IN Middle tennessee the
enemy with force under General Breckenridge entered
East Tennessee on the 18th of November he attacked
General Gill m near Morr sown, capturing his artillery
aud several hundred pr soners Giiem with what was
left of his command, rcreaed to Knoxville Following
up his success Breckenridge moved TO near Knoxville,
but withdrew the 1Sth followed by General Ammen
Under the directions Of General Thomas, General Stone
man concentrated the commands Of Generals Burbrdge
nlidge and destroy drive him into Virginia, destroy
salt Saltve, and the railroad into Virginia
as far could 90 without endangerng his command
On the 18th Of December he commenced his move
inent capturing and dispensing tn enemy's forces
wherever he met them ON the 10Th nc struck ,s
the enemy, ind Vaughn, at Marion, completely
routing and pursuing him to Wytheville, capturing an
his artillery, trains and 19s prisoners and destroyed
Wytheyillc, with its stores and supplies, and the
extensive lead works near there Returning to
Marion he force under Breckenridge, consisting,
auong troops OF the garrison ut Satville that had
tod
attack Sac morning; but found breckenridge gone
He then moved directly 20 Saivle and destroyed the
exepsive salt works at that place, large amount Of
stores and captured eight pieces oil artillery. Having
sfuy executed his instructions, be returned
General Burbridge to Lexington and General Gilem to
Knoxville.
JMroRTAScE WILMINGTON.
wlimn.ren, North Carolina, the most important
port left 10 the enemy through which TO get
supplies from abroad and send cotton and other pro-
BY blockade runners besides being place o!
great strategic value. The navy had been making
cxcrons TO seal the harbor OF Wilmington,
but with only partial effect The nature of the outlet of
Cape Fear such that IL required watching Tor
sn great distance that without possession Of the land
north Of New Inlet Fort Fisher, impossible for
the navy entirely close the harbor against the L.
trance oil blockade runners
rLAs or ri. OPERATIONS AGAINST FORT rrnxr.
To the possession of this land required the CO.
operation OF a land force which agreed to furnish.
Immediately commsnced the assemblage in Hampton
ras, under Admiral d. Porter of the most formidable
armada collected for concentration upon one given
point This necessarily attracted the attention OF the
nany well that Of the loyal North; and through
escers Of both branches service the exact object OF
Che expedition became n subject or common discussion
in the newspapers both North and South. The enemy
thus warned, prepared TO meet T. This caused post
onemcnt OF the expedition until the latter part OF No
yember When being again called upon by Hon .. "
Fox Assistant Secretary Of the Navy agreed to furnish
tbe required nj once, and went myself In company
with Major Gen raj Butler To HAMPTON roads, where we
had conference with Admiral Porter as TO the force re-
.quree and the time OF starting. force OF 900
men regarded sufficient The time OF
starting was not definitely arranged but thought
MI
Learn the 30ih of November that Bragg had gone
10 Georgia taking with him most OF the forces about
Wilmington deemed IL Of the utmost Importance that
expedition should reach its destination before the re-
OF Bragg and directed General Butler TO make all
arrangements the departure OF Major General Wezel
who had becn designated 70 command the land forces
tina, the navy might not be detained one moment
On the Oh VI December the following instructions
CIR f6rr va, Dec. 8. lsss
0xSrRALTho first object on the expedition under General
70 f ,S the
advantage Of The absence Of the greater part Of
The directions have for the number. and equip
snt Of the exped lion a right encep. in the ani%por
,irenchng 20 be taken The object Of the expedition
tween cape Fear river aud The Atlantis north oI
he river shSHa such landing S effected while
river. then the troops should enteneh
siy
should chi sos .ne a"d Gs s poHs o Sa
e which fall Into chs hands Of troops imme
ture WmingtUn q surprise II time In
consumed gaining the first object OF the expedition, the
second will become a matter of after consideration.
The details for execution entrusted 10 you and the on
sssas he ,sop S%ss al fan
landing Fisher they will be returned 70 the
irs oper sgainsl Richmond without delay
= q. :. GRANT, Lieutenant General.
Major General q. Y. DurIxR.
..s. IrTLrR'e FAILURE At WILMINGTON
General Butler commanding the army from which the
troops taken for this enterprise and the territory
within wHh they 10 operate, military courtcsyrc
ured that I'll orders and Instruction should 90 through
HIN They were sent; but General weilzei has since
officially Informed me that he never received the fore.
Going ns nor be Of their existence
uuai he read General Buffers pubshed Official report Of
the Fort FISHER failure with my endorsement and papers
sccompanyins II bad no idea Of General Buffers nc
COMPANY ing the expedition until the evening before
sot OF bermuda Hundreds and then did not dream
ar, would be in command rather formed ne Ida that
G.rrnI Riler ua. aclsseisd BY desre 70 wane,s ne