Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1865-02-02
HOODS TznNEssaEC CAMPAIGN

An " Intelligent officer" whose prominent position
in the Confederate army gives him peculiar means Of
obtaining correct information aud who personally
eggplant OF all theevents OF the recent pagn OF
General Hood, has afforded the Augusta Couaatution-
aist very clear insight into the movement Of our
forces beyond the Tennessee river: The staCmtus Ct
the gentleman nre so wholly impartial, and 50 mnenty
Satisfactory, that the Constu onast ihirks The Cam
paiga WIS not so istarred " and I" huess 3" as has
/ been Centrally imag ned:
| From the moment General Hood entered the noble
old Volunteer State he drove the Federal forces be-
fore him. until beeag uered within the strong deepces
of Nashville they at last stood at bay. At Columbia
Thomas evidently intended giving battle for he plan ed
his army In tie position, behind formidable earth
works. Oar commander, who, though lmpetuous and
dashing is not by any reckless instantly saw the
neeoFsspess OF sacrificing go many valuable lives as
would be Necessary in making direct assault. Ae-
eordngy he quietly evaded the FederLls, and by
eng Duck river at point seven miles distant,
iuiy 1anked the enemy This necessa ed the retreat
OF Thomas, cur torcss rapidly pushing until reaching
Franklin where occurred the very short yet obstinate
and bloody battle OF which readers have already
cen advised Unfortunately, the coming On OF night
prevented us reappg all the advantages OF that arly
bought victory and the Rext morning developed the
hight OF the Ftdeas, after heavy ss in killed and
wounded, prisoners, artillery and munitions of war.
Hence, to The very gates OF Nashville, the path
was plain and unembai raised and gallant boys
tired 1t with itghtutss OF step and buoyancy of heart
About the capital, General Hood abtishcd his lines
skill OF an old master OF the art OF Until the 5th
OF December he maintained his position, annoying the
enemy by daily recent distances and expeditions against
his lnes OF communication, exterior posts and garri
sens.
"On the 18th Of December, Thomas forced to do
something By the demands of his master at
Washington, advanced upon Hood, and was thorough
y Worsted. The succeeding day (the l6tb) he sailed
forth anew, and attacked US with yehtmence. Beaten
completely upon each wing, he would have been com
pIetely oyerIhroI had untorunat COhtretempS
occurred, which imC lately and disastrousy changed
the whole tide Il battle Our centre, though not
vereIy pressed, gave way suddeny-our works were
abandoned, and flight ensued. The wings unable to
contend longer, yielded and what should have been
victory, with ashVIe prize, resulted in sad
defeat This OF those lnexpIicabe affairs that
80 mystify and darker the pages OF hsory-especiay
in this war. 1t was wholly unaecountabe, and, we
fear, must evCr remain 50. We lost by this unlucky
accident heavily in artillery, from the fact that
pieces were all placed in battery cchird the works,
and the horses IA safety sauce the
Our losses in aid other material we're insignificant,
while those OF the enemy must have reached fully ten
thousand.
"That Thomas was very badly damaged is evident
from the fact that he did not follow up his sngulary
obtained advantage. La truth, he quite as much
surprised at the issue OF TIE contest
mander. Six days thereafter army only forty
miles fr N the battle field, and without moestation
withdrew to tie south of the Iennesg river, bringing
with it, among other supplies, thousand beet cattle
aud ten thousand hogs
{" The retl eat was marked by no precipitancy, the
abandonment OF no trains nor tie desertion OF any
troops At COlurnbo tie Tennessee soldiers locked
about their fa7orite leader, General Cheatham, and
though reluctant TO leave their native State expressed
the noble and heroic determination to follow him wher
ever the good of The cauae demanded / he spirit of
the people, as evil :ed both upon the advance and with
drawa OF our army is mentioned as IN the highest de-
gree patriotic. Trey we're liberal to the troops
they have always b3 and exultant at the prospect OF
redemption from the blghting tyranny OF Lincoln and
Andy Johneon. TyrapnlH5d over as they have been,
they still loyal and devoted to the interests Of the
Confedsracy. From them there is heard no whisper
of reconstruction further intercourse with the de-
tested Yankees. Total and absolute Independence is
what they alone WAnt-it is that for which they have
already suffered untold Wrongs-and for which they
ready to suttsr still greater accumulation OF insult
and oppression The spirit of such people cannot be
broken matter wat disasters may tor tlIne 90
scure our hopes.
" General Hood returned from his campaign with q
less Of not exceeding four thousand Een-Whe that OF
the enemy was four fold He completely ougeneTaleo
Thmas ia every movement to such extent, adeed,
that the favorie commander has been relieved by the
Washington War Department. he cceeded 10 rails
leg large number of recruits in South and Western
Kentucky who, under General Lyon, still occupy that
State.
/" With the spirit Of his aobs army unhroken, with
artillery sufficient for force of fifty thousand men,
with subc rdnats commanders who repose the GREATEST
confidence in him, Gen. Hood awaits an opportune
moment to recover the prestige of the Army of Ten
neesee"