The National tribune., 1905-11-23
MINNESOTA
AT NASHVILLE
(Continued from page IL
(Continued from page l..

al NHOlI ILL.
eContinusd from page -
far as I am informed, wishes Gen.
Thomas removed.
III. w. Halleck. Chief of Staff"
"city Point, Va. Dec. 8. 1884.
Maj. Gen. Halleck, Washington:
your dispatch Of 9 q. m. just re-
ceived. I want Gen. Thomas reminded
Of the importance of immediate action
sent him a dispatch this evening.
which will probably urge him on. 1
| would not say relieve him until ! hear
further from him.
~. s. Grant Lieutenant General"
Nashville. Tenn, Dec. 8. 1864.
"Lieut.-Gen. Grant. City Point:
your dispatch Of 1880 p. m. is just
received. 1 can only say in further ex-
tenuatiOn why I have not attacked Hood
that could not concentrate my troops
and get their transportation in order in
| shorter time than it has been done, and
am satisfied I have made every effort
that was possible to complete the task
Geo. III. Thomas, Major-General Com
manding."
"City Point. Va, Dec. 9, 1864.
Maj Gen. Halleck, Washington:
dispatch of p. m. last evening from
yet made by Thomas Please telegraph
| orders relieving him and placing Scho-
field in command.
~. s. Grant. Lieutenant-G General"
WAR Department, Adjutant-G Generals
Office, Washington, Dec. 9, 1854.
General Orders No. -.
''The following dispatch having been
received from Lieut. Gen. Grant, viz.
Please telegraph orders relieving
him (Gen. Thomas) at once and plac-
ing Gen. Schofield in command the
President orders:
"T. That Maj-Gen Schofield relieve
at once Maj.-Gen. G. H. Thomas in COM
mand of the Department and Army of
the Cumberland.
III. Gen. Thomas will turn over to
Gen. Schoield all orders and instruc-
lions received by him since the battle
Of Franklin.
"E. d. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant-
General"
Nashville, Tenn, Dec. 9. 1864.
Lieut. u. s. Grant, City Point:
Your dispatch of $3.50 p. m. of the
9Th is just received. I had nearly COM
enemy tomorrow morning, but ter
rible storm Of freezing rain has come
on to-day, which will make it impossi-
BILE for our men to fight to any advan-
tage. I am therefore compelled to wait
for the storm to break.
power to prepare, and If you should
deem 1t necessary to relieve me, I shall
submit without a murmur.
Geo. II. Thomas, Major-General Com
manding."
"Washington, D. c., Dec. 8, 1864.
Lieut. Grant, City Point:
Orders relieving Gen. Thomas had
been made out when his telegram OF
| this p. m. was received. If you still
| wish these orders telegraphed to Nash
| vile, they will be forwarded.
III. w. Halleck, Chief Of Staff"
Grant Hesitates.
To this Gen. Grant replied suspend
ing the order for Thomas's relief until
1t is seen If he will do anything
"City Point, Va, Dec II, 1864
"Maj.-Gen. George n. Thomas, Nash
| Vile:
IF you delay attacking longer the
notifying spectacle will be witnessed
lof rebel army moving for the Ohio,
and you will be forced to act, accepting
such weather as you find. Let there be
no further delay. I am in
hopes of receiving a dispatch from you
| o-day announcing that you have moved.
Delay no longer for weather or REIN
fOrcements.
| III. s. Grant, Northumberland"
Headquarters, Armies Of the U. S.,
| City Point, Va, Dec. Is, 1854.
Special Order, No. 149.
| 'Maj.-Gen. John A. Logan, U. 8. Vol
unteers, will proceed Immediately to
Nashville, Tenn. report by telegraph to
the Northumberland his arrival at
Louisville, KY, and also his arrival at
Nashville, Tenn.
by command of Lieut-Gen. Grant:
''T. s. Bowers, Assistant Adjutant-Gen-
| eral."
Nashville, Dec: IA, 1864; p. m.
The ice having melted
away to-day, the enemy will be attacked
tomorrow morning. Much as I regret
the apparent delay in attacking the
fore with any reasonable prospect Of
success.
| Geo. H. Thomas, Major General Com
manding."
The Fearful Weather.
These are but few Of the many dis
patches, all Of like tenor, with which
Thomas was overwhelmed at this time,
| but those quoted clearly indicate the
| serious character of the crisis, the issue
of which was to be decided by the i'm
pending battle at Nashville. A defeat
or ThomaSS army meant the probable
| further advance Of Ho,d to the Ohio
River and beyond. 1t was surely the
highest duty of Thomas to make GER
| tain his success SO far as precaution,
preparation and skill could assure it,
yet he was subjected to this fire in the
rear that would have daunted any man
who was not endowed with the high
| qualities of character and the great
ability and skill that ever distinguished
in an emergency the Rock of Chicka-
manga"
wv IVA -