davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1906-07-26

f1anks, and If the assault proved sue
cessful to complete the ruin of the
enemy by capturing those who attempt
ed to escape in the direction of Nash
vile. Lees Corps. as it arrived, was
held in reserve, owing to the lateness
of the hour and my inability conse-
quently to post it on the extreme left.
Schofeld's position was rendered favor
able for defense by open ground in
front, and temporary intrenchments
which the Federals had had time to
throw up, notwithstanding the Confed-
crate forces had marched in pursuit
with all possible speed. At one or two
points along a short space a slight
abatis had been hastily constructed by
telling some small locust saplings in the
vicinity.
Soon after Cheathams Corps was
massed on the left Maj.-Gen. Cleburne
came to me where / was seated on my
horse in rear of the line, and asked per-
mission to form his division in two, or,
il l remember correctly three lines for
the assault. / at once granted his re-
quest, stating that I desired the Fed
erals to be driven into the river in their
immediate rear and directing him to
advise me as soon as he had completed
the new disposition of his troops. Short
ly afterward Cheatham and Stewart re-
ported all in readiness for action, and
received orders to drive the enemy from
his position into the river at all hazards.
About that time Cleburne returned, and,
expressing himself with an enthusiasm
which he had never before betrayed in
our intercourse, said: General, l am
ready, and have more hope in the final
The National tribune., 1906-07-26
TRIBUNE WASHINGTON, JULY

success Of our cause than have had at
any time since the first gun was fred"
replied: God grant IT." He turned
and moved at once toward the head of
his division; few moments thereafter
he was lost to my sight in the tumult of
battle. These last words spoken to me
by this brave and distinguished soldier
I have often recalled; they can never
leave my memory. as within 40 minutes
after he had uttered them he lay life
less upon or near the breastwerks of the
foe.
The Battle of Franklin Opens.
The two corps advanced in battle ar
ray at about q. m, and soon swept
away the first line of the Federals, who
were driven back upon the main line.
At this moment resounded concen-
trated roar of musketry. which recalled
to me some of the deadliest struggles in
Virginia, and which now proclaimed
that the possession of Nashville was
once more dependent upon the fortunes
of war. The conflict costinued to rage
with intense fury; our troops succeeded
in breaking the main line at one or
more points, capturing and turning
some of the guns on their opponents.
Just at this critical moment of the
battle a brigade of the enemy, reported
to have been Stanley's. gallantly charg-
ed, and restored the Federal line, cap
turing at the same time about 1000 OF
our troops within the intrenchments
Still the ground was obstinately con-
tested, and at several points upon the
immediate sides of the breaStworks the
combatants endeavored to use the mus
ket upon one another, by inverting and
raising it perpendicularly in order to
fire; neither antagonist at this juncture
The National tribune., 1906-07-26

was able to retreat without almost a
certainty of death. 1t was reported that
soldiers were even dragged from one
side of the breastworks to the other by
men reaching over hurrieGly and seiz-
ing their enemy by the hair or the col
lar.
Just before dark Johnston's Division
of Lees Corps moved gallantly to the
support of Cheatham; although IL made
a desperate charge and succeeded in
capturing three stands of colors it did
not effect permanent breach in the
line of the enemy. The two remaining
divisions could not unfortunately be-
come engaged owing to the obscurity OF
night. (In! an address delivered al
Charleston, s. c., ITAestimated ouI
strength at Franklin at $4,000, having
overlooked the fact that two of Lees
Divisions could not become engaged.
The struggle continued with more OF
less violence until 9 p. m, when fol-
lowed skirmishing and much desultory
firing until about a. m. the ensuing
morning. The enemy then withdrew
leaving his dead and wounded upon the
field. Thus terminated one of the fierc-
est conflicts of the war.
Nightfall, which closed in upon us sc
soon after the inauguration of the bat
tie, prevented the -ormation and par
ticipation of Lees entire corps on the
extreme left This, it may safely be as
serted. saved Schofield's army from de-
struction. 1 might with equal assur-
ance assert that had Lieut.-Gen. Lee
been in advance at Spring Hill the pre-
vious afternoon Schofeld's army never
would have passed that point.
The National tribune., 1906-07-26
rest followed in the wake Of the main
body.
A Sudden Change.

rest followed In the wake Of the main
body.
Sudden Change.
A sudden change in sentiment here
took place among officers and men; the
army became metamorphosed, as II
were, in one night. A general feeling of
modification and disappointment per-
vadsd its ranks. The troops appeared to
recognize that rare opportunity had
been totally disregarded, and manifest
ed, seemingly, a determination to re-
trieve, IL possible, the fearful blunder
of the previous afternoon and night.
The feeling existed which sometimes
induces men who have long been we'd
ded to but one policy to look beyond
the sphere of their own convictions, and
at least be willing to make trial of an
other course of action.
Stewards Corps was first in order OF
march; Cheatham followed immediate
lily. and Lieut.-Gen. Lee in rear. Within
about three miles of Franklin the ene-
my was discovered on the ridge ove1
which passes the turnpike. AS soon as
the Confederate troops began to deploy
| and skirmishers were thrown forward
| the Federals withdrew slowly to the
environs of the town.
1t was about 3 p. m. when Lieut.-Gen
Stewart moved to the right of the pike
! and began to establish his position il
front of the enemy. Maj.-Gen. Cheat
hams Corps, as it arrived in turn, filed
| off to the left of the road, and was also
disposed in line of battle. The artillery
was instructed to take no part in the
| engagement, on account of the danger
| to which women and children in the
village would be exposed. Gen. Forresi
was ordered to post cavalry on ootr
The National tribune., 1906-07-26

Columbia with great skill and fidelity,
which were crowned with entire sue
cess. He attained the object of the
demonstration, which was to keep the
Federals in ignorance of our movements
till sufficient time had been allowed the
army to reach the desired point. Col.
Beckham, Chief of Artillery in Lees
Corps, and one of the most promising
officers of his rank, was, unfortunately,
killed on the 18th, during the heavy
cannonade in front of that town. On
the morning of the goth of November
Lee was on the march up the Franklin
/ pike, when the main body of the army,
at Spring Hill. awoke to find the Fed
erals had disappeared.
/ l hereupon decided before the enemy
would be able to reach his stronghold
at Nashville, to make that same after
noon another and final effort to over
| take and rout him, and drive him in
the Big Harpeth River at Franklin,
| since 1 could no longer hope to get
between him and Nashville, by reason
of the short distance from Franklin to
that city. and the advantage which the
Federals enjoyed in the possession of
the direct road.
| At early dawn the troops were put in
motion in the direction of Franklin,
marching as rapidly as possible to over
take the enemy before he crossed the
Big Harpeth, IS miles from Spring Hill.
| Lieut-Gen Lee had crossed Duck River
AFTER dark the night previous. and in
] order to reach Franklin was obliged TO
march distance OF 80 miles. The head
of his column arrived at Spring Hill at
i-9 a. m. on the 30th, and after short
The National tribune., 1906-07-26
XIII
XIII.
THE BATTLE OF FRANKLIN.


THE BATTLE OF FRANKLIN.
Cheathnm Acknowledges His Biunder nt
Spring HiII-Rapfd March to Overtake
and Destroy SchofieId's Army-Terrifc
Slaughter of Hoods Men and Generals.
Cheathum Acknowledges His Error.
In connection with this grave misfor-
tune / must here record an act of can
dor and nobility upon the part of Gen.
Cheatham which proves him to be
equally generous-hearted and brave. I
was necessarily much panied by the dis
appointment suffered, and few days
later telegraphed to Richmond to with
draw my previous recommendation for
his promotion, and to request that an
other be assigned to the command of
his corps. Before the receipt of reply
this officer called at my headquarters
then at the residence of Mr.. Overton,
six miles from Nashville-and, standing
in my presence, spoke an honest avowal
of his error, in the acknowledgment that
he felt we had lost brilliant oppor-
tunity at Spring Hill to deal the enemy
a crushing blow, and that he was great
ly to blame. / telegraphed and wrote
to the War Department to withdraw my
application for his removal in the be-
lief that, inspired with an ambition to
retrieve his shortcoming, he would
prove in the future doubly Jealous in
the service of his country.
The following are the dispatches
above referred to:
Headquarters. Six Miles from Nash
vile, on Franklin Pike, Dec. Z, 1864.
''Hon. J. A. Seldom:
Il withdraw my recommendation IN
favor of the promotion of Maj. Cen
Cheatham for reasons which will write
more fully.
81. B. Hood, General"
Headquarters, Six Miles from Nash
vile, on Franklin Pike. Dec:A2, 1864.
''Hon. ]. A. Seldom, Secretary of War;
Ger. c. T. Beauregard, Macon, Ga:
"a good Lieutenant-General should be
sent here at once to command the corps
now commanded by Maj.-Gen. Cheat
the position.
"J. B. Hood, General"
headquarters. Six Miles from Nash
vile. on Franklin Pike, Dec. s, 1864.
Hon. j. A. Seldom: Maj.-Gen. Cheat
ham made a failure on the 30th of No
vember which will be lesson to him.
] think it best he should remain in his
position for the present. / withdraw
my kilograms of yesterday and to-day
on this subject
"J. B. Hood, General
On the 11th of December wrote the
Hon. Mr.. Seddon:
..s Maj.-Gen. Cheatham has
frankly confessed the great error of
which he was guilty. and attaches much
blame to himself. While his error lost
so much to the country, it has been a
severe lesson to him, by which he will
profit in the future. In consideration of
this. and of his previous conduct, think
that II IS best that he should retain for
the present the command he now
holds"
His Best Move Fruitless.
The best move in my career as SOL
dier was thus destined to behold come
TO naught. The discovery that the army,
after a forward march of $50 miles, was
still seemingly unwilling TO accept bat
tie unless under the protection of
brsastworks, caused me to experience
grave concern. In my inmost heart ]
questioned whether or not l would ever
succeed in eradicating this evil. 1t SEEM
ed to me / had exhausted every m cans
IN the power of one man to remove this
The National tribune., 1906-07-26
(No. 56O.)
81. B. Hood. General"
Gen. Hoods Children.

Editor National Tribune: I am very
much interested in reading about the
old comrades, of their trials and good
fortunes; also, the Confederates. and
would like to have you print in your
valuable paper what information you
can In regard to the family of Gen.
Hood. l think there were 10 children
that were left orphans, the Oldest only
10 years of age, there being three pairs
of twins among them. The last l heard
of them was from a letter dated West
chester Post Office, n. Y, Sept 20,
1882, by Eva Hennen Harding, to Rob-
ert Burns, Esq, Secretary. Hoods Texas
Brigade, Houston, Tex. I am sure your
readers would be pleased to hear about
The National tribune., 1906-07-26
Personal Experiences the United States and the Confederate
States Armies
Ey Lieut.. -Gen. ]. B. HOOD, c. S. A.
States Armies.

stumblingbock to the Army of Tennes-
see. And L will here inquire, in vindi-
cation of its fair name, if any intelligent
man of that army supposes one moment
that these same troops, one year pre-
vious, would, even without orders to at
tack, have allowed the enemy to pass
them at Rocky-faced Ridge, as he did
at Spring Hill.
The National tribune., 1906-07-26

place to a great extent among both off,
GERS and men the morning of the DAY
upon which was fought the battle OF
franklin: this change-and in meas
ure the improved morale of the army;
which had resulted from forward
movement of $50 miles-occasioned tie
extraordinary gallantry and desperate
fighting witnessed on that field.
The subjoined extract from Van
Horne's History of the Army of the
Cumberland will confirm my assertion
In regard to our nearly won victory.
Referring to the main breach in the
Federal works. the author says:
Toward the breach the enemy's
heavy central lines began to press. and
to his lateral lines were turned in seem
| ingly overwhelming convergence. To
| Gen. Hood the advantage so easily gain
led promised the capture or destruction
| of the National army, and he and his
army were inspired to quickest action
to maintain and utilize II for this grand
achievement. And he certainly could
have maintained his hold of the Ma
tional line and used for extreme success
had time been given him to thrust into
the breach his rapidly advancing and
massive rear lines; and as it was he
began to gain ground. right and left,
from the Columbia road"
As shown by Col Mason's official re-
port, made on the 10th of December. 10
days after the battle, our effective
strength was: Infantry. 1S,342; artii-
lery, 2.405; cavalry, 1905: total. 23.053.
This last number. subtracted from 30.-
500. the strength of the army at Flor
ence. shows total loss from all causes
of 7,547. from the 9Th of November to
the 10th of December, which period in
cludes the engagements at Columbia,
Franklin and of Forests cavalry.
The enemy's estimate of our losses. rs
well as of the number of Confederate
colors captured. is erroneous, as will be
seen by the following telegram:
(No. 500
Headquarters near Nashville. on
Franklin Pike, Dec. Is, 1864.
Hon. ]. A. Seldom, Secretary of War,
| Richmond:
| 1.-The enemy claim that we lost 80
colors in the fight at Franklin. We lost
| 13, capturing nearly the same number.
| The men who bore ours were killed Oh
or within the enemy's interior line of
works.
| "J. B. Hood, General"
The estimate of the actual loss at
Franklin. given in my official report.
was made with the assistance of Gen.
Shoupe, my Chief of Staff, and is. con-
slider, correct. However l will estimate
later the total loss from all causes, in
order to avoid possible error.
| (To be continued.)
The National tribune., 1906-07-26
Gen. Patrick C1eburne.

SicDuThcs
Maj.-Gen. Cleburne had been distin-
guishd for his admirable conduct upon
many fields, and his loss at this moment
was irreparable. In order to estimate
fully the value of his services at this
particular juncture, 1 will. in few
| words, advert to our past relations. He
was a man of equally quick perception
and strong character, and was, especial
ly in one respect. in advance of many
of our people. He possessed the bold
ness and the wisdom to earnestly advo-
cate at an early period of the war the
! freedom of the negro and the enroll
| ment of the young and able-bodied men
| of that race. This stroke of policy and
! additional source of strength to our
armies would, in my opinion, have CIV
| en- us our independence. He was for
| the first time under my immediate COM
mand at New Hope Church, where his
division, formed for action according to
my specific instructions, achieved the
most brilliant success of Johnston's
campaign. He had full knowledge of all
the circumstances and difficulties which
attended the battles of the 10th and 22d
of July. 1t will be remembered that he
called at my headquarters after these
| two engagements, and communicated to
me HardeeS unfortunate words of eau
| ton to the troops in regard to breast
works just before the battle of the goth.
He knew also in what manner my or
ders at Spring Hill had been totally dis
regarded. After our last brief inter-
view, which was followed so quickly by
his death, / sought to account for his
sudden revolution of feeling and his
lhopefulness, since he had been regarded
as not oversanguine of the final triumph
| of our cause. / formed the conviction
that he became satisfied on the morn
ing of the 30th of November, after hav-
ing reviewed the occurrences of The pre-
vious afternoon and night. and those OF
the Goth and 22d of July, that / was not
the reckless. indiscreet commander the
lJohnston-W Wigfall party represented me;
l that / had been harshly judged, and
| feebly sustained by the officers and men
4 that L was dealing blows and making
moves which had at least the promise
+, of happy results, and that we should
have achieved decided success on two
| occasions around Atlanta as well as a,
| Spring HILL He therefore made a sud-
den and firm resolution to support me
in all my operations. believing that my
movements and manner of handling
troops were based upon correct princi-
pies. 1t has been said he stated, upon
the morning after the affair of Spring
Hill, that he would never again allow
one of my orders for battle to be dis
obeyed, If he could prevent it. For these
reasons his loss became doubly great to
me. The heroic career and death of this
distinguished soldier must ever endear
| the memory of his last words to his
| commander, and should entitle his name
| to be inscribed in immortal characters
in the annals of our history.
A similar revolution in feeling took
The National tribune., 1906-07-26

these interesting children of brave SOL
dier.-C. ]. Cooper, 40th Mo-, Moline,
Ill.
We have not heard anything about
the Hood children for years. They were
at one time taken charge of by the
United Confederate Veterans, but as
nothing has been said about them of
recent years probably they have been
taken care of otherwise, and are grown
up and self-supporting. Do any of our
readers know anything about them?--
Editor National Tribune.
A Brief Catalogue.
(From the Parkersburg State Journall
Taft wants 1t.
Dolliver will take It.
Roosevelt refuses it.
Fairbanks longs for IL.
Cannon is talked Of for IL
Foraker is very receptive.
Beveridge is modest, but willing.
La Toilette thinks he would fill the
bill.
Senator Stephen B. Elkins ought to
have it.
The National tribune., 1906-07-26
Hoods Report.


Shortly afterward 1 sent the follow
ing dispatch to the Secretary of War
and to Gen. Beauregard:
(No. 541.)
Headquarters, Six Miles to Nash
vile, Dec. 3.
About 4 D. m Nov. 80, we attacked
the enemy at Franklin, and drove him
from his outer line of temporary works
into his interior line. which he aban-
doned during the night, leaving his dead
and wounded in our possession, ant
rapidly retreated to Nashville, ciosel,
pursued by our cavalry. We captured
several stands of colors and about 1,00t
prisoners. Our troops fought with grea
gallantry. We have to lament the los:
of many gallant officers and brave men
MAJ. .-Gen. Cleburne, Brig.-Gens. Gist
John Adams. Strahl and Cranberry wer,
killed; Maj.-Gen. Brown, Brig. Gems
Carter Manigault. Quarles, Cockrell anC
Scott were wounded, and Brig.-Gen
Gordon captured.
-. B. Hood, General"
I rode over the scene of action tn,
next morning, and could but indulge ii
sad and painful thought as | beheld 81
many brave soldiers stricken down b.
the enemy, whom, a few hours previous
at Spring Hill, we had held within tn
palm OF our handS. Inc attack Wnlcl
entailed SO great sacrifice of life had
for reasons already stated. become
necessity as imperative as that whicl
impelled Gen. Lee to order the assault
at Gaines's Mills, when our troop
charged across an open space, a dis
tance of one mile, under n most CALLING
fire of musketry and artillery, agains
an enemy heavily intrenched. Tn
heroes in that action fought not NOR
gallantly than the soldiers of the Arm,
of Tennessee upon the field of Franklin
These had been gloriously led by thei
officers, many of whom had fallen eithe
upon or near the Federal breastworks
dying as the brave should prefer to die
in the intense and exalted excitement o
battle.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-01
.BOUNT|FuL Crops
Will SON .PRE.OIG7s
fRv 4 ssociated Press.

WASHINGTON u. c., April So.--sec-
retary Wilson had a talk with the Pres
!dentt to-day He said that reports from
all parts of the country indicated good
crops.
Tho spring is late this year" said the
secretary, mot onlyg,n Washln gton. but
throughout the countr5.s This IS fine
corn weather however, @sand everywhere
the crons are in excellent condition. In the
dry parts Of the West fthere Is plenty
OF moisture. and all of the spring crops p
are doing finely. You see, farming IN
these days has been reduced to science,
and there is not the danger now Of an
absolute failure OF crops inNany section
that used to prevail Throughout the
Middle West and West 4 expect to see
bountiful crops this year. That will be
rood for. the people and good for the
government We are albright.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-01
ENGLAND'ss COMMERCE,
Total Trade Of Empire in One
Year S6,526,4Is.o 900,

LONDON. April oa.--sonle remarkable
figures OF the trade Of the British empire
are in the Board of Trade Return just
published
In 1904. the latest year for which fig
ures are available, the total trade OF
the empire was worth s6526, $4,000. Of
which 1873 per cent. was with foreign
countries and 26.7 per cent. between DIFF
ferent parts OF the empire.
The United Kingdom, imported from
British possessions goods worth SI54,-
o77,o95. paid s2s2,oo3s $40 for food, drink
and tobacco, and. sl54,ss5,265 for bullion
and specie ~ ;3,.
:Thfieef empire imported sl5e,oooooo worth
of meat from foreign countries, and en-
ported s4,oOO.ooo worth imported s42,-
500 900 worth of animals for, food, en-
ported s3.o00,ooo worth: imported $751;
100000 worth of grain. exported SCI. 900 900
worth; paid s33,5ooooo for wines and
spirits sold wines and spirits for $1,000. :
900; paid sso 100000 for tobacco and sold
tobacco worth s4.ooo,ooo.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-01
COTTON MARKETS.

NEW YORK april s'.,rhe eo, u, so ma'h n,,s
prices ruled s,eader and closed a. a ne; al
nee Of aali points, Sales ;or the day were
estimated at 1900 bales,
The opening was steady az decline Oh Of
pont. to an advance OF point on sieaty LIVER
rponi cables and large spo. sale, in he English
market. There was fuf,hsr apprsaen ,s re re-
market was steady, There WAS no renewal Of
Wall stree, liquidation. Local bulls seemed 70 0
he supporting the near months in. a moderate
way and there was soma scat,sr!ns eaye,nS
Generally steady and gradually advanced unii'
near the close, when there was some reallzinE
Final prices, however. we're steady ana wtn,n
a point or TWO Of the top. Weather and new
rron reports continue favorable on the aver
ave hut local bulls expect that the weekly
report Of the weather Bureau row WIZ
In the eastern belt, A-local authority Issued
an cskmate calling for an increase q s.: Per
cent in acreage which seemed 70 attract ~,
len attention, as the season Is stu c IN
too "a rlv for a conservative view or the area.
por, receipts for the day were liberal hut
we're exceeded by the exports. and intrritr
we're generally unchanged.