The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1896-07-04

commanding generals, and of each
other, and also in full view of the
enemy occupying an intrenched line,
which he is resolved to hold to the
last extremity, deliberately surveyed
the impressive situation. 1t was the
-grandest sight ever saw. Each di-
vision unfolded itself into single line
OF battle with as much steadiness as If
forming for dress parade, and as they
wheeled into line in full view of the
enemy, their precision aud military
bearing was as beautiful a sight as was
ever witnessed in war. Not a cloud
Obscured the autumn sun, which shone
upon the beautiful plain, with its gen.
tie slopes, over which they must pass
to engage in mortal strife in the
supreme effort to carry strongly for
tilted line by most reckless and dar-
ing assault.
Gen. Hood resolved OF his own vo-
lition to fight the battle OF Franklin,
and made his disposition for battle
with a confidence which evidenced his
belief In the intrepidity Of his troops.
With unaaunted reliance he massed his
forces aud delivered the most gallantly
contested and sauguinary battle Of the
war, when the number Of troops en-
gagged and the edurstson.cf. tie conflict
are considered. 1t was about half-past
3 O'Clock when the Confederates formed
for the battle and marched forward in
single line, showing 4 front of tive
cOrps-Cheat ham 5 and Stewart s-side
by side. Ed Johnson;s division Of
Stephen D. Lees corps was up and
remained in reserve. They formed
with Winstead's Hill AS back ground,
and threw their troops into position
with the utmost deliberation. Two
briyades OF Wagner's division of the
4,h army corps were posted half mile
ir front Of the Union line of battle u d
lookout for the advance OF the enemy.
After they were all ready they stood "a
moment as if taking Il careful survey
of the beautiful plain they We're to
traverse and the position they were to
assault. AT last the whole force moved
forward almost with the precision OF Il
single NAN. The artillery followed.
and occasionally stopped to uniimber
and drop Il shell into the Federal lines.
The Union troops in the meantime
were carefully sleadying themselves in
the works to resist IL drlermined as
sault The march OF the COnfedtral-S
into this battle WAS military pageant
such as is rarely seen in actual war.
They were so kong ia view that men
almost forgot their deadly errand in
the grandeur the spectacle. The
main line followed the skirmishers
very closely, for the Confederates had
noticed the isolated position of Wag-
ner's two brigades and directed their
march to take advantage of the mis-
lake. Wagner's slender force made
hut feeble resistance to the over
whelming numbers that pressed sharp
ly upon them. They broke, and in
confusion rushed back toward the main
line. The Confederate line of battle
was pushed rapidly forward, so rapidly
that on the right OF the pike it reached
the intrenchments almost as soon as
Wagner's demOralized men. The
main body of the Union troops were
obliged tc hold their fire until the
panic stricken soldiers from the ad-
vance could get inside their works.
This delay brought the troops in the
Notifications face to face with the
enemy and with peril that is not
often overcome. The Confederates
came with a rush, and when the oppos-
ing forces struck each other there was
a culver of uncertainty that was preg-
nant with great 1anger to the Union
soldiers.
The right of the Confederate line
was under cover of Guibors artillery,
and moved forward in gallant style.
A deep cut in the Nashville e. Decatur
Railroad, which Il Typographical recon-
noissance would have disclosed, was
discovered in front OF Walthall's and
Loriug's division, which necessitated
their moving by the left flank in order
to pass this obstacle, thus bringing
them in front and obliquely to the
tight of French. During the time
occupied with this movement OF the
centre and rightof Stewards corps, the
guns in Fort Granger on Fig
ure's Hill, and the eight gun battery
on the north side of Harpeth river,
located to the left of his intrenched
line. raked Stewards flank with a
destructive enfilading fire. The troops
moved on converging lines, and charg'
"a tho works. with Browns division on !