The National tribune., 1892-08-11

t1On6 OH luG ucttUSINC lluC SCiCSSSu W oOn.
Thomas. The Fourth Corps took position
in the center.
On Dec 1 Gen. Steedman, with his COM
mand, arrived from Chattanooga, thus
completing the concentration of forces, which
had unexpectedly been delayed. On the
Sd Hoods infantry approached Nashville,
driving in Gen. Thomas's outposts, and soon
thereafter the enemy began to establish his
main line. During the first half of Decem-
Der Gen. Grant became uneasy with respect
to the situation in Tennessee, and believing
that Thomas should have given battle i'm
mediately following the engagement at
Franklin, he urged from day to day an attack
upon Hood Gen. Thomas expected to be
ready for battle on the It'll, but, by reason of
delay in remounting his cavalry, was not
ready until the 9th, by which time there
came q sleet, which prevented the movement
of troops. BY noon of the 14th the ice had
partially melted, and Gen. Thomas having
concluded to attack the enemy on the fol-
lowing day, called his corps commanders
together at p. m. and announced his plan
of battle, giving specific instructions IN re-
gard to its execution.
The morning Of the 18th being favorable
to the execution of Thomas's plans, deadly
conflict was opened, which was to decide the
contest between the armies of the West.
The Fourth Corps was formed by Gen.
Wood, with the Second Division-Gen
Elliott-on the right; the First Division
Gen. Kimball-in the center, and the Third
Division-Gen. Beatty-on the left The
formation of the Fourth Corps was double
battle line; the First deployed, and the
Second in column by division opposite the
intervals in the First. During the engage
ment Gen. Wood moved his corps toward
Montgomery Hill, the most important point
of the defensive line of the enemy. When
the Twenty-third Corps had been trans
ferred to the right, Gen. Wood was ordered
to throw his reserves on his right and to ex-
tend his line, as far as was consistent with
safety, to his front This order having been
executed Gen. Wood then engaged the enemy,
and after fighting vigorously for an hour he
ordered Kimball to charge with his whole di-
vision. The order was received with loud
cheers from the men, who assembled the hill,
Ieaped over the intrenchments and captured
several pieces of artillery, stands of colors
and large number of prisoners. At 5 p.
m. Gen. Wood was ordered to move to the
Franklin turnpike, face southwark and
drive the enemy across it but darkness
came on too soon to admit of the execution
of the order.
The next morning n6th) the Fourth Corps
advanced toward the Franklin road, which
was soon reached, the enemy's skirmishers
being in the meantime driven back. The
Corps was here deployed and advanced
rapidly about three-fourths of mile, where
they met strong skirmish-line, the main
line being only half mile beyond.
Early in the morning of the 18th Gen.
Thomas commenced the pursuit of the
enemy, having first given orders for the care
of the wounded and the collection Of cap
tured and abandoned property. The Fourth
Corps pushed on to Franklin through
reaching Franklin shortly after
noon. After the cavalry had crossed, how
ever. the river rose so rapidly that the
infantry were delayed and were forced to
construct temporary bridge upon which to
cross. When the pursuit terminated orders
were given for the disposition of Gen.
Thomas forces in Winter cantonments, on
the line of the Tennessee River, the Fourth
Corps being by these orders located at
and Athens.
The casualties of the Fourth Corps in the
battle of Nashville were as follows: