The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-08-02

nan0nn8 or his troops, succeeded, In
concert with Clayton, in checking and
staying the first and most dangerous
shock which always follows Immediate
ly after rout. The result was tina:
even after the army passed the Big
Earpeth, at Franklin, the brigades and
divisions were marching in regular or
der. Capt. Cooper, OF my staff. had
Gen. Forrest OF our misfortune. and to
order him to make the necessary dis
positions Of his cavalry to cover our
retreat.
Although the campaign proved disas-
trous by reason Of the unfortunate at
fair at Spring Hill. the short duration
Of daylight at Franklin, and, finally,
because Of the non-arrival Of the ex-
pected reinforcements from the Trans
Mississippi Department. 1t will never
theless be OF interest to note how deeply
concerned Gen. Grant became for fear
we should finally reach Kentucky. He
ordered Gen. Thomas to attack on the
9Th Of December, and evidently became
much worried about our presence In
front Of Nashville, as he telegraphed to
the War Department at Washington, on
the 9Th, to relieve Thomas on account
Of his delay in assaulting according to
instructions. This order was issued on
that date, but was afterwards suspend
ed by Grant. On the nth, at p. m,
Grants Anxiety.
eff you delay attacking longer. the
Notifying spectacle will be witnessed
of q rebel army moving for the Ohio,
and you will be forced to act, accepting
such weather as you find.
The following dispatch from Gen.
that in this campaign we had thrust at
the vitals Of the enemy:
| "Washington, Dec. Is. 1864. 1880 p. m.
II was just on my way to Nashville.
but receiving a dispatch from Van Du-
zen, detailing your splendid success OF
to-day, l shall go no further.
~. S. Grant. Northumberland"
He could not we'll afford to allow us to
reach Kentucky, and finally assail him
in rear at Petersburg. Therefore, he
left his own army in front OF the illus
| trious Lee to proceed to Nashville and
| assume direction in person.
AT this eventful period Gen. Thomas
| stood with $4,000 electives to oppose
our small army, which numbered less
than 10000, after deducting the force
under Forrest at Murfreesboro.
] had had reason to hope that we
| would have received large accessions to
our ranks in Tennessee. The following
letter from Gov. Isham G. Harris, writ
| ten during the retreat and at the time
the army was approaching the Tennes-
see River, will indicate to what extent
our ranks would have been recruited
had the campaign proved successful:
'Tuscumbia, Ala, Dec. Is, 1854.
"His Excellency, Jefferson Davis.
"Sir: l arrived here last night, leav-
ing the army some IS miles beyond the
Tennessee River, on the Bainbridge
route.
"Our stay in Tennessee was SD short
and engagements SO constant and press
ing that we did not recruit to any con-
siderable extent. II we could have re-
manned there q few weeks longer, we
could and would have recruited to a
great extent. The men are there, and
thousands were making their arrange.
ments to join the army, but the unfor-
tunate result Of the battle OF Nashville
and immediate retreat OF the army was
very discouraging to our people. hope,
however, to be able to get great many
have left the State.
II have been with Gen. Hood from
the beginning Of this campaign. and beg
to say. disastrous as it has ended, am
not able to see anything that Gen. Hood
has done that he should not. or neglect
ed anything that he should have done
which 1t was possible to do. Indeed,
the more that I have seen and known
OF him and his policy the more I have
been pleased with him. and regret to
say that II all had performed their parts
as we'll as he the results would have
been very different.
But / will not detain Col. Johnson,
except to say or rather to suggest that
IL Gen. Hood Is to command this army,
he should by all means be permitted
to organize the army according to his
own views of the necessities of the case.
Every respectfully.
"Isham G. Harris
Covering the Retreat.
Lieut-Gen. Lee displayed his usual
energy and skill in handling his troops
on the 18th, whilst protecting the rear
Of our army. Unfortunately, in the
afternoon he was wounded and forced
to leave the field. Maj. Carter L.
Stevenson then assumed command Of
Lees Corps, and ably discharged his
duties during the continuance Of the