The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-10-22

first-that up TO the very hour of battle
Thomas wanted to hold Hood back rs long as
possible. and Schofleld thought he could not
safely hold on any longer secondly-that up TO
that hour Schoneld agreed entirely with
Thomas as to tho policy Of prudence and eau
Aon thirdly--that Schofeld also. up TO that
hour. believed In tho necessity Of assembling
oil the troops and remountng the cavalry and
getting 1t into an efficient condition.
fourthly-that Immediately after the great vic
tory he had gained he had not changed his
mind. and did not recommend an Offensive
movement. but before the receipt Of Thomas
ordcrs-issued prior to tho victory and In ig-
norance of it-had begun the retreat to Brent
wood and Nashville.
SO far there is not tho slightest evidence Of
divergence of opinion between Schoicld and
Thomas. On the contrary. they were In perfect
accord as to the policy to DO pursued. and that
policy was to get back slowly, concentrate the
entire force. remount the cavalry and put II into
an efficient condition." and then fight to win.
The questions arise. when did the difference
OF opinion begin. what was 1t based upon. and
who was right. Schoneld or Thomas We
shall endeavor to answer these questions fur
Their on. but before doing so lot US consider tho
circumstances OF Schonelds retreat from
Columbia to Franklin. as they will doubtless
throw strong light upon tho characteristics
OF both Thomas and Schoheld. showing that
the former was farsghtcd and wise. swift with
al to move when necessary. and slow only to
become alarmed and stdmpeded, or to take
risks which prudence forbade. while the latter
was sluggish. unrcady. and stupidity imprudent
even in the presence Of the greatest danger.
1t is curious that all the corps and division
commanders except Gen. Cox should have dis
,,nI taI l. a.,
Schoheld wrote his letter of Sept Is. $780, or
the author had prepared and published the
volume now under consideration.
On the 9th OF November Schoneld having
become convinced that Hood. then confronting
him at Columbia. would begin an advance i'm
mcdiately. withdrew almost all Of his infantry
to a position on tho north side Of Duck River.
The cavalry force under Wilson had already
taken up its position on the north side Of that
river. and was Watching all the crossings for
considerable distance up and down the stream.
In the afternoon Of the 2Sth Wilson's pickets
discovered and reported that the enemy were
crossing about five miles above Columbia. This
was promptly reported to Gen. Schofeld. and
Wilson ut once moved out with his escort in
person to verify the information and take such
further action as circumstances might require.
The afternoon and night were crowded with
oNeutb anu lulOThutlUu IL was cDOu ulScON-
cred. as was to be expected. that the rebel ad-
vance could not be checked at the river. and
that 1t would be necessary for the cavalry to
abandon that line and call in the detachments
preparatory to falling back. Accordingly Will
son. with considerable trouble. succeeded in
assembling his force at Hurts Gross Roads. on
the Lewsburs turnpike BY or before 10 CLOCK
that night. As soon Us no had concluded that
the rebel advance had begun In earnest. he
notified Schoneld By courier OF his own move
ments and intentions. as we'll as those of the
rebels. 80 far as he could make them out. The
conduct Of this officer during the 2Sth and 29th
OF November has been criticised and misrepre-
sentcd; hence we have taken the trouble to
consult the records in regard to it. We find
that at 10 p NJ OF the 2Sth he notified Schofield
that he had succeeded in concentrating his
command on the Lswisburg pike. the rebel
cavalry having forced crossing Of the Duck
River at Davis Ford and driven in his dctach-
ments. This despatch concludes as follows:
The force of the enemy believed to be all OF Forests
command, moving in tins direction. The orderly who
left your headquarters late this evening . saw
nothing of the enemy moving toward the Franklin pike.
He is evidently aiming for this rosd Murfreeshoro
The Sixth Illinois is at Chapel Hill tonight having
found enemy at Shebyvlie have sent for them TO
come here at and have also sent party to Spring
Hill for Col Stewards and Con. HAnmonds brisades.
I'll communicate from here again as the move
ments OF the enemy be determined. Prisoners say
Hood is going to flank us on one side or the other
He was not kept long in suspense. for. al
though the night was very dark and the country
covered with cedar brakes. was difficult one to
get through, the entire cavalry force was on the
alert. and quite a number Of rebels were taken
prisoners and brought in. The cavalry COM
mander. as was his duty examined each one In
4 n
ished himself OF the enemy's movements and
plans. At o'clock A. NJ. Nov. 30. he sent Gen.
Schoneld from Hurts Cross Roads. on the
Lewisburg pike. the following message in tri-
plicate by eouriers:
Ihsve prisoner who came with Gen Forrest from
Columbia The rebel cavalry tBuford's Chalmers, and
Jaexsons divisions part OF R,ddy's division, and BIZ
hes Regiment Forests escor crossed Duck Riverlby
swimming above Huey's Mil Forrest himself left
Columbia at 1880 p. N. The whole Iof Iooisl infantry
then expecting to- march. They building
three pontoon bridges just above Hucy's when my prs
creased; expected TO be ready by 10 O'Clock to-
ngat The whole rebsl cavaiy force, except Bufords
division ia encampcd widow Shanuon's to- night
on the Columbia aud shcbyvle pike Bntord ia In my
front. about Rally HILL think it very clear that they
aiming for Frankn, and that you ought to get to
Spring Till by 10 A. NJ
will keep this road AMI resist the all
had Hammond and Stewart here think they could
not make anything till th1ir infantry caught up Com
.ruuicae with by rhompsons station Spring Ill.,
and thence eastward III try " get further back To-
than the Ridge Meeting House, due east from
ThonPson'r, this road shall probably leave this
pike there, and move toward Nashville.
Another prisoner confirms the above Jackson's divi
sion is also Rally Hin There may be strong
advance Of the enemys cavalry TIL the infantry has
crossed, which will be botw.en and Daylight Get
back to Franklin without delay leaving small force TO
dctain the enemy The rebels will by this road
toward that point.
At A. NJ. the cavalry commander sent Gen.
Thomas at Nashville tho substance of the fore
going despatch. The following arc extracts;
have kept Geh. schohed fully iutor,aed--and 81
II sent hi'a the information above, advising him TO
get back to Frank in NJ once am sure from
what prisoners tell that the enemy IL aiming for
Sashviii. Via franklin, His present direction tho oca
ton Of his bridges aud all the circumstances point
clearly to that conclusion.
At least two copies of the despatch of l A. ".
reached Schoiisld by or boioro 3 A. NJ, and not
after daylight" rs stated by Gen. Cox. On
the receipt Of the first. MAJOR J, A. Campbell.
hiG Chief Of staff read it to Schoncld, whom he
aroused from sleep for that purpose, without
apparently producing any impression. After
ala 90, y.l,xa AL