The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-01-26
[Copyright, 1904. by c. L. Kilmer.I

MN WH6n ne SET out from Al
lanta to march across Georgia
to the sea the middle of November.
1864. His old opponent at Atlanta,
General J. b. Hood, had swung west
ward into Alabama, not only defiant,
but audaciOusly aggressive. In his
bold yet futile attack upon Allatoona
pass, in Sherman's rear. early in Octo-
Der, Hood gave the cue to his plans Of
campaign. which were to make a lunge
into Tennessee and if successful invade
Kentucky and perhaps Ohio.
The departure of Sherman for the
east removed Il great obstacle from
Hoods path. since Sherman took along
10000 OF his troops. Sherman's east
ward march. il prosecuted to y finish.
would also endanger tie Caroiuas in
the rear Of Richmond and Lee, who
was fighting Leroically on the James.
While Hood was glad TO have sherman
and the 60,000 who had marched off
less thought dash of his own army
across the border might cause the Yam
KEGS to turn westward again and let
the Carolinas alone.
The day that Sherman started east
ward from Atlanta Hood was at Flor
ence, Ala, ready to cross the river
northward. Forrest rejoined him there
with his redoubtable cavalry fresh
from a raid on the gunbOats on the
Tennessee river. we'll toward the Ken
lucky border, Hoods immediate OBJ
jective was Columbia, on Duck river.
in central Tennessee, and halfway
from his starting point at Florence t.
Nashville, the headquarters Of the
Federal army in the west now that
Sherman was out of the field
But Hood had foe to reckon with
nearer than Nashville sherman had
left the command in Tennessee to Gen
eral George II. Thomas, who had more
than once proved himself Il rock in bat
tie. Thomas was to make Nashville the
Federal rallying point and stronghold
of the west. In order 10 keep the willy
foe at arms length he had sent Gen
eral j. NJ. Schofield forward as far rs
Pulaski, Tenn, on the river Tennessee,
halfway between Columbia and Flor
ence, but off the direct line eastward
between Columbia and Florence. Scho-
fields command was the Twenty
corps Qis own and the Fourth corps
under General ID. NJ, Stanley.
Hoods army started north~ard
about Nov. %, and On the DIST General
Hatch's scouting Federal cavalry bore
the news to Schofeld that one corps of
Hoods army was already abreast of
Pulaski only few miles west. and
heading for Columbia. Although Thorn
rs had urged Schotield TO wait at Pulas-
III for the strong reinforcement of
General A. j. Smiths division. which
had been ordered to join him, Schofeld
decided to retreat to Columbia. He al
ready had 4 small force there to com
mand the bridge crossings.
From the 21st to the ODD it was a
race between Hoods infantry and Scho-
fields for the crossing at Columbia.
Schofield was closing in, but he learned
that General Forrest was pushing back
his opponents, the cavalry brigade of
Colonel CaprOn, and Columbia was in
NtehSSA VI AtAilliS5 4bto 1IpOt LII
that event Schofield would be cut off
and the road to Nashville open to
Hood. Skillfully thrusting forward his
advance division of infantry between
Forrest and CaprOn, he checked the
bold Confederate. At nightfall the
whole Federal force was in Columbia.
Columbia is south OF Duck river, and
Sahpfal1 tln Dc =,
river at his back. The ground was IA
yorable for defense on its immediate
front, but the position might easily be
fanked and retreat to the north bank
cut off. This Schofield quickly noted,
and the oath of November found him
at bay, anXiously watching the next
move OF his foe. who he thought would
be too wise to make a frontal attack on
the lines around the town.
General Thomas took calm view of
the situation and looked for the com
plete overthrow of Hood as soon as he
got his scattered forces concentrated.
He urged Schofeld to hold on at Co
lumbia and prepare defenses for the
bridges, so that they might be intact
when the army was ready TO advance
southwark again. During the 9th and
25th the whole of Hoods infantry was
in front of Columbia, and the night Of
the 10Th Schofield sent one division of
his army to the north side of the river.
The Federal troops south of the river
were brought within new and short
er line of works ready to receive the
attack.
Instead of attacking Hood prepared
to get across the river on Schofield's
left flank and beat him in a race for
the next point Of advantage-namely
Franklin, on Harpeth river, halfway
to Nashville. Forrest took the lead in
this move and threw his cavalry north
Of Duck river at three places during
the 2Sth. The weather was cold ana
s rainy and the fords swollen by recent
rains, but at nightfall one division had
crossed and advanced four miles on
the route to Franklin. Learning that
the Federals were in force at Hurts
crossroads, Forrest determined to cut
his way through and get to the rear Of
the enemy in Columbia. The Federal
paUo1rv nhiaf ba6 bI1f fou, man ~, 4I,o