Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-12-22
THE BATTLE OF NASHVILLE.
General Thomas Account.

Our readers have already seen accounts
of the late celebration at Nashville. The
following extract from Gen. THOMAS
account of the battle of Nashville will
be read with interest:
The events Immediately preceding the
batte.of Nashville are of such nature
that | am sure they would bear repeating
or some allusion to them on this occa-
sion. After victorious advance into
the heart of the enemy's country, our
great leader, General Sherman, rested at
Atlanta, his mind engaged in perfecting
plans of other operations. Although he
had pushed bold and gallant army hack
into the heart of their country, they
were not discouraged, but the moment
that General Sherman sat down to take
little rest, Immediately that enemy
took the offensive, and attempted to
drive him back. Seeing into their plans,
he detached me to Tennessee to attend
to affairs in the rear of the army. and to
keep open communication with him.
Ever on my arrival in Tennessee, the
advance forces of the enemy had at
tackled our communications and done
some damage, but were soon driven out
Soon afterward General Sherman con-
ceived the plan of marching to the sea,
and left me to defend Tennessee in case
the enemy should advance on that State
and attempt to 60 farther North, or, in
case the enemy should follow him, to
pursue him with what troops l could
gather up, and harrass his rear and com
.,net of
enemy had thrown at least a corps on
our communications. General Sher-
mans main army and the main army of
the enemy remained quietly observ-
ing one another on the borders
of Alabama and Georgia. While
] was endeavoring to meet the emer-
gency that | saw approaching, by
organizing returned furlougbed men and
convalescents, and concentrating them
in such manner as to be able to defend
the post if possble-but in doing that
was not permitted to remain idle or delay
the enemy, perceiving his advantage,
started directly for Tennessee, and Gen.
Sherman about the same time started for
Savannah. There was then nothing left
for me but to delay the enemy approach
as long as possible without risking
battle, until an army could be assembled
sufficiently large to meet him. After the
utmost exsrtions on the part of myself
and my staff, and also on the part of the
commanders of the different bodies of
troops, we finally succeeded in getting
an army of some thirty thousand
men at Nashville, on the lst day
of December, 1864. But they needed |
clothing and transportation. They also |
needed horses to enable them TO do some
thing more than simply to fight battle.
Ii was necessary, then, to delay until
thet could be done. In the meantime
the weather became very dlsagFe6ahls,
and it was almost impracticable to move
troops This further delayed US some
four or five days, but finally, about the
18th of December, the preparations be-
ing made, the order OF battle was ex-
planned TO the commanders, and every'
thing prepared for the conflict next
morning, though the bad weather still
continued and sleet came on which
DELAYED us until the 10Th of De-
cember. On that day Gen. Sieedmau,
with a small command of convalesoenta
aud men who had been on parole,
partially organized, commenced the bat
lie on the left at 6 a. m, and so occupied
the attention of the enemy that he appa
rently entirely foreo. the other portion
of bis line, and concentrated heavily at
that point entirely, evidently expecting
a battle there. This was anticipated in
nv programme, and after Ges. Steed-
man had opened the battle and been en-
gagged about half an hour, the troops
we're moved into their position, and al
most like men on review, toek post alter
post. and drove the enemy to the hills:
fCheers.l The next day. By the skilliul
maneuvers Of the cavalry commander,
the enemy's left was entirely turned, and
then. by one Of The most gallant assaults
/ have ever witnessed, The kntire line of
the enemy was swept from LEFT 10 right
Z great applausel, and so ended one OF
,be strongest and most daring armies
tbe enemy ever equipped, Renewed
annIause. This army was pursued for
two hundred aud fifty miles, and finally
received lis last blow at the hand Of the
cavalry commander. 1t is with The
greatest pleasure that avail myself to-
dsv. sir. of the opportunity of speaking
RI n,sise Of those gallant men and on
Gers whom / bad the honor TO command
in the Nashville camPaigR,