The National tribune., 1903-07-02

fore deciding. He can not reach here be-
fore Tuesday at best The rebel dispatch
captured yesterday by Hatch indicates
that Forrest is to commence his advance
tomorrow.
"I had hoped that Smith would be here
before the time you name.
"Ihe time may be too long to leave
small garrison at this place. -,
81. NJ, ScHoFIELD, Major General.
It will be seen from these dispatches
that Gen. Schofield and Gen. Thomas
were kept thoroughly posted as to the
movements of the enemy, and were pre-
pared to act with great nromptness IN
checkmating the plans of Gen. Hood when
they were developed.
As has been seen. the actual forward
movement of Gen. Hoods army did not
begin until Nov. 81, but this advance Oh
the Confederate cavalry in force along
Shoal Greek on the 10Th gave color to the
idea that the whole army was IN motion,
and Gen Hatch and Gen. Schoheld acted
accordingly. SO that on Nov. Il, when
Gen. Hoods movement began, Gen Hatch
marched his cavalry command from Lex
ington to Lawrenceburg. Here he Gov
cred the old military road leading south
and the turnpike to Pulaski, Is miles to
the east.
GEN. HOOD MOVES AGAINST COLUMBIA.
Gen. Hoods first objective was Colum,
bia His plan was to have Buford ana
jackson seize Lawrenceburg and make a
heavy demonstration on Pulaski, while
Gen. Forrest. by rapid march and
sudden attack, should seize Columbia ana
hold it until the infantry could be concen-
trated at that place. and thrown between
the Union force at Pulaski and their reih-
forcements at Nashville.
Gen. Hood sought the opportunity OF
throwing his whole army against the
forces commanded by Gen. Schoheld, be-
iieving that his army was so far superior
In numbers that he would have no diff
Guilty in overwhelming and destroying Gen.
Scnofield's command. Gen. Schoheld.
upon the other hand, proposed to keep his
forces between Gen. Hood and Nashville,
and not give battle except under condl-
tions that seemed favorable to success.
Gen. Schofield had the great advantage
of the shortest line of travel; from Pulaski
to Columbia is 80 miles; from Florence to
Columbia via WayneSborO is 15 miles, and
by Lawrenceburg 81 miles; besides, the
country roads were almost impossible.
At daylight on Nov. %, the enemy at
tackled Gen. Hatch's pickets IN front OF
Lawrenceburg. The fight was kept up all
day. Late in the afternoon the enemy
brought up II pieces of artillery and
opened fire upon the Union forces. At
dark Gen. Hatch withdrew his men one
mile on the Pulaski road.
While this conflict was going Oh Gen.
Cox, by direction of Gen. SchOfeld, moved
his division from its camp, three miles
north of Pulaski. to Lynnyille, about 10
miles south of Columbia. Here Gen. Cox
took a strong position.
Being informed that the enemy had at
tackled Gen. Hatch at Lawrenceburg, Gen.
Cox posted Reilly's Brigade upon COM
manding ground on the west of the town
and of Lynn Branch, thus covering the
Lawrenceburg road.
Henderson's and Easements Brigades
were placed north of the town and west
of the turnpike.
In the meantime Gen. Wagner with the
Second Division of the Fourth Corps ar
rived and was posted on the south and
southwest of the town, and west of the
pike: this line forming a semi-circle rest
ing upon the turnpike north and south Of
the village; all the roads being held by out
posts and chains of videts.
= Gen. Forrest, leading Chalmers's Divi-
sion of cavalry, encountered portion of
Col. Capron's Brigade at Henryville and
Fonche Springs, where spirited skirmishes
occurred. These Union troops fell back
upon the main force in front of Mount
Pleasant.
This was the situation on Nov. %. Gen.
Forrest was advancing upon Mount Pleas
ant, on his way to Columbia; his passage
was being vigorously disputed by Col.
Capron, whose brigade was greatly out
numbered. Gen. Buford and Gen. Jack
son with their divisions were pressing for
ward from Lawrenceburg to Pulaski, con-
fronted by Gen. Hatch, who was now un-
der the direct order of Brevet Maj.-Gen.
Wilson, who had arrived upon the scene
during the morning.
Gen. Hatch retired nine miles on the
road to Pulaski, and in the afternoon fell
back on the Campbellsville road toward
Lynnville followed by the enemy.
Gen. Hood with his three infantry corps
was pressing forward on several roads to-
ward Columbia, seriously delayed, how
ever, by the horrible condition Of the
roads.
Pulaski was held by Cen Stanley with
all of the Fourth Corps except Wagner's
Division. Gems. Cox and Wagner with
their divisions were in line Of battle in
front of Lynnvile. while Columbia was
held by Col. Strickland with his brigade
CONCENTRATION OF GEN. sCHoFIELD's
ARMY.
About noon Gen. Schofeld reached
LynnyilIe. He now became satisfied tha
the main column of Gen. Hoods arm!
were moving upon Columbia. He at onct
ordered Gen. Stanley to evacuate Pulaski
and move at once with his two remainin:
divisions, artillery and wagon train, ant
join Wagner's Division at LynnvilIe ii,
ordered Gen. Cox to move his division to
wards Columbia, so as to cover the cross
ing of the Columbia pike by the Noun
Pleasant and Shelbyville road.
These movements were promptly made
and Gems. Stanley and Cox were in thei
new positions by dusk. By direction o.
Gen. Thomas, on this day, Gen. Granger
commenced Withdrawing the garrison
from Athens, Decatur and Huntsville
Ala, by railroad to Stevenson, sendin,
five new regiments to Murfreesboro.
The commanding officer at Johnsonvill
was ordered to evacuate that place, afte
removing all public property, and retire t,
Fort Donelson, and thence to Clarksville
AT j O'Clock on the morning Of the 24tl
Gen. Stanley moved out from Lynnvill
with his corps for Columbia, under order
from Gen. Schofield. At o'clock on tn
same morning Gen. Cox broke camp unde
orders to march TO Columbia and cove
that place during the concentration of tn
army there, the enemy being then engage,
in pushing Col. CaprOn's cavalry back OF
the Mount Pleasant and Columbia pike
Gen. Reilly with his brigade had the ad
vance.
When within two miles OF Columbi
Gen. Cox decided TO take a crossroa
which intersected the Mount Pleasant pix
mile and half from Columbia. II
reached that point at o'clock in tn
morning, just as Col. Capron arrived
nS+r Ia