The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-06-20

6eld, o mile away, is Wilson with most OF
his cavalry. In front of the outer continuous
line. on the extreme left, is part of Steed-
mans troops, and his picket-line is a mile
farther out, while running from point
about 100 yards in front Of the angle, where
tie outer line turns TO the northeastward,
and extending to the track of the Tennessee
d Alabama Road, is slight work covering
the Union pickets. A line drawn from the
extreme right TO the extreme left of the
outer delenses would pass about one-fourth
Of a mile south of the Capitol, and be four
miles in length.
hood CLAIMS TO BE INVESTING THE CITY,
but his fortified position does not cover more
than oae-sixth of q circle drawn about il, with
a radius equal 10 that from our standpoint to
mis- main line.
On high bluff bordering the river, and a little
more than half a mile from the outer Union
line is the battery blockading the stream, but
in the space extending from that TO the Hills
boro pike, three and half miles, there are
only some detached aud incomplete redoubts
with some artillery and light support Of infan-
try, and which look as If they could be easily
turned or even carried by assault. COmmenc-
ing at Montgomery Hill, just east OF the
Hillsboro pike we can readily distinguish the
rebel advanced line-an irregular crescent IN
ground, and ending at the redonbts before
noticed at the cut on the Chattanooga Railroad.
This line is a little over four miles in length.
In front Of its eastern flank is the work thrown
up by Steedman's troops on their arrival, and
in its rear and at right angles to 1t, is line to
prevent il being taken IN reverse. On the high
ground west of the NOansville pike second
line is carried at acute angle to the rear, but
conforming somewhat TO the direction of the
first. and is at the HilsborO pike three-hiths
OF a mile in its rear. There 1t also is re-
fused, - and a stone wall bordering the road for
nearly mile is used as a breastwork.
Across the Granny White pike is third
line, over mile in length. Cheatham holds the
right Of the line, the corps of 5. d. Lee the
center, and Stewart the left, while Chalmers
with his division OF cavalry attempts 10 cover
the unfortiied space from the Hillsboro pike to
the red0ubt at the river. The Franklin pike is
the line of supply, and must be held by the in
Va0ng force TO secure line OF retreat II needed.
in our own lines the interior one is occupied
by the force Of employees of the supply depart
ments before mentioned. The divisions OF
Gen. Smith hold the right of the outer line, ex-
tending 10 the river. Next TO the left is the
Fourth Corps, commanded since the wounding
of Stanley by Gen. I. J. Wood; then the
TWenty-third Corps, under Gen. Schoneld /;
and Steedmans Division completes the line at
the river above the city.
When at Chattanooga IN attendance on the
Reunion OF the Army of the Cumberland, in
1881, was assured that during this icy period,
when pickets could not attend strictly TO their
duties several of Hoods officers, whose homes
were IN the city, and who knew the ground,
found their way through the Federal lines
and, confident of not being detected among the
multitude in the place, made themselves quite
well acquainted with the state of things there,
and reported the result Of their observations to
their chief. 1t is stated also that the rebel
commander was satisfied that he had at
tempted
MORE THAN HE COULD Perform,
and that he seriously contemplated a with
0raWal at the time, when the inclemency Of
the weather intervened and rendered any
movement impossible. Beauregsrd, as is shown
by his preliminary report to the Confederate
War Department had little or no hope of sue
cess after the desperate fighting and terrible
loss at Franklin. In that report he said: . 1t
is clear 70 my mind that, after the great loss Of
life at Franklin, the army was in no condition
70 make a successful attack on Nashville."
But Hood had started out TO carry the war, if
posi- DE to the banks of the Ohio, and aadacity
was in his mental makeup a much greater
factor than cool judgment or prudence. He
could be certain. too. that withdrawal on his
part would at once bring Thomas in pursuit,
while if lie awaited an attack be might give
3 return for the blow at franklin and be al
lowed 10 withdraw without further molesta-
tioH.
But while the shiFering armies waited for a
rise in the temperature the excitement at the
Capital Of the Nation and all through the
North rose to fever heat. That an army in
that latitude should be fr0st-bound seemed
incredible Sherman was beyond recall. some
where in the COnfeGeracy. Thomas had fallen
back steadily before tie invading force, and
ruh l,s= he'd 2
battle, il had been under command of one OF
his subordinates and the ground had been at
cnce abandoned to the enemy.
Distrast began TO take the place of hope and
on the 9Ih, from his tent at City Point, the
Commander-in-Chiefn notified Thomas TO
FIGHT AT ONCE OR TURN OVER HIS COMMAND
to Gen. Schofeld. With grandeur of charac-
ter never surpassed in similar circumstances
he teiegraphed Gen. Halleck, u feel conscious
that have done everything in my power; but
if Gen. Grant orders me to be relieved, will
submit without murmur"
Calling a council of his corps commanders
be stated TO them that he was ordered to at
tack without further delay, or turn over his
command but did not state who was to be his
successor. Contrary to precedent, which re-
guires Juniors TO first express their opinions
Gen Schofeld, TO whom the command would
naturally fall, gave his first and il was that
which opinion all present eoncurred Even
then Gen. Grant was not satisfied. and Gen
Logan, then temporarily absent from his OWL
command and visiting Gen. Grant at City
Point, was ordered to proceed to Nashville and
assume command. Such an order could but be
distasteful to that generous officer, and though
he started for the scene, he found on arriving
at Louisville that he could not do any more
than his friend already then was doing. and
made no haste Communicating freely Will
the Chief. he could, from thai
point, assure him that battle with the enemy
at that juncture must be also war with the
elements and victory scarcely within the rang,
Of possibility under any commander. For one,
IN his career the great Captain failed to do full
justice to q subordinate, for even IN his Mem
oIrs, written long after all the truth wa
known, he fails 10 give full credit for the sue
cess achieved by him.
At no time in Gen. ThOmas's career do th
grand points in his character shine NOR
brightly than at this. AT Mill Springs he wa.
one OF the first TO win victory at the West
he had, later, declined to accept the command
vacated by Gen. Buell.. believing as he ex
pressed it, that there were others more compe
tent than himself for the position; at Alur
freesboro, on that hard-fought December day
he had been designated as the Lion hearted
calm amid the fury Of battle"; at Cbicka
mauga he was the Rock" standing firm
while around him streamed the tide of brokei
organizations and on him beat in vain tb
roaring surges Of exultant foes: In reply to tn
anxious inquiries of his superior. he had sal
OF Chattanooga We viii hold it till W
EtarVe," and now, with the enemy in front, hi