The National tribune., 1896-04-23

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GIN. JOHN M. SCHoFIELD.
men or means. When Hood crosse
the Tennessee River Thomas's fore
was about $4,000 men, scattered fror
Chattanooga, in East Tennessee, t
Johnsonville, west of Nashville Chatta
nooga was TO be held at all hazards, a
well as all important points on the rail
road between Chattanooga and Nash
vile. Gen. A. ]. Smith, with two di
visions of the Sixteenth Corps, was il
Missouri. but was ordered to Thomas
support, and arrived at Nashville while
the battle of Franklin was being fought
Hood crossed the Tennessee River
Nov. 90 with the following forces: Leei
Corps 1868; Stewards Corps, 12,4S2
Cheatham's Corps 15,205; Engineers
S05; Forests cavalry, 1898; total
53,93S. This was exclusive of Forrest
artillery.
Gen. Thomas's report on Oct. 80 was
as follows: The Fourth Corps, 1881
Twenty-third Corps, 10,624; cavalry,
5,591; District of Tennessee, 1861
unassigned detachments, 1853; total,
54,556. Showing Thomas's forces
greater in infantry, but weaker in
cavalry Neither docs this report in
clu9e the District Of Etowah, which ap-
pears in Thomas's report of Nov. 20,
and which numbered 6,421; making
Thomas's forces in Tennessee 60,977,
Nov. 20, in field and in garrison, from
Chattanooga to Nashville, Johnsonville,
and near Decatur and Huntsville, Ala.
The actual forces in frcnt Of Hood
when be began bis forward movement
were: Stanley's Fourth Corps, at Pu-
laski, 1881; Cox's Division, Of the
Twenty-third Corps, and one brigade
Of Rugcr's; Cooper's Brigade, of the
Twenty-tiiind Corrs, and one other, were
at Johnsonrille Ruger and one bri-
gade Of the Twenty-tllird Corps Joined
Schofeld at Columbia about the 26th
inst. Cooper's Brigade was sent to Cen
tervilie 10
GUARD A CROSSING
of the river at that point. Had all the
Twenty-th;rd Corps been at Pulaski
there would have only been 10,624 of
4aat corps Add TO this the cavalry
forces under Croxton, Hatch, and
CaPrcn, 5,59i, and we find only 2S.546
Officers and men opposing Hoods force
Of 53,938 officers and men. Forests
cavalry was well equipped and of the
best fighting qualities, and were as good
10 Hoods forces as 10000 men.
A great portion Of Thomas's forces
were a combination of different regi-
ments and commands returning from
furlougls and convaleseent camps to
Shenaan's army. OF the retreat to
Franklin and that battle and the con-
tinued retreat to Nashville shall say
nothing in this article, as wish TO show
the general treatment that Gen. Thomas
and his army received after the brilliant
victory AZ Nashville and the destruc-
tion Of Hoods army while on the
retreat.
On Dec. 10, 1864, at 1870 D. m.,
Gen. Grant telegraphs Gen. Thomas as
follows: al was Just ON my way to
Nashville, but, receiving a dispatch
from Van Dusen detailing your splendid
success Of to-day, / shall go no farther
Push tie enemy now, ard give him no
rest until he is entirely DESTROYED.
Your army will clieerfully suffer many
priyatious 10 break up Hoods army
and make it useless for future opera
tioas. DO not stop for trains or sup
plies, bat take them from the country.
as the enemy has done. Much is now
expected"
On the 18th inst, Gen. Grant tele-
grapbed. again as follows: "The armies
operating against Richmond have fired
200 guns in honor Of your great victory.
Sherman has fully established his base at
Ossabaw Sound, with Savannah fully in
vested. j hope to be able TO fire q
salute tomorrow in honor Of the fall of
Savannah. In all Of your operations we
hear nothing from Forrest.
GREAT PREcAUTIoN
should be taken to prevent him crossing
the Cumberland or Tennessee Rivers be-.
low EastpoIt. After Hood is driven as
far as it is possible to follow him, YOU
want TO reoocupy Decatur and all other
abandoned positions"
Gen. Halleck tclegraphcd Thomas
on the 2lst as follows: /" Permit me.
General, to urge the vast importance Of
a hot pursuit Of Hoods army. Every
possible sacrifice should be made, and
your men for a few DAYS viii submit TO
any hardships and pliyations to accom-
plish tie great result. If you can cap
ture or destroy Hoods army, Gen. Sher-