The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-07-26
TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON G, THURSDAY

sSDAY, JULY 26, 1906.
Heod's Report.
Shortly afterward sent the follow
ing dispatch 20 the Secretary of War
and to Gen. Beauregard:
(No. 541.)
Headquarters. Six Miles to Nash
vile. Dec. 3.
about 4 p. 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. and
pursued by our cavalry. We captured
several stands OF colors and about 1000
prisoners. Our troops fought with great
gallantry. We have to lament the loss
OF many gallant officers and brave men.
MAJ. Gen. Cleburne, Brig. Gems. Gist,
John Adams, Strahl and Cranberry were
killed; Maj.-Gen. Brown. Brig.-Gens
Scott were wounded. and Brig. -Gen.
Gordon captured.
~. B. Hood. General"
I rode over the scene OF action the
next morning, and could but indulge in
many brave soldiers stricken down by
the enemy, whom, few hours previous
at Spring HILL we had held within the
palm OF our hands. The attack which
entafled so great sacrifice of life had
for reasons already stated, become a
necessity as imperative as that which
impelled Gen. Lee to order the assault,
at Gaines's Mills, when our troops
charged across an open space, a dis
lance of one mile, under a most CALLING
fire OF musketry and artillery, against
an enemy heavily intrenched. The
heroes in that action fought not more
CALAMITY than the soldiers OF the Army
OF Tennessee upon the field Of Franklin.
These had been gloriously led by their
upon or near the Federal breastworks,
dying as the brave should prefer to die,
In the intense and exalted excitement of
battle.
Gen. Patrick Cleburne.
Maj. Cleburne had been distin-
gufshd 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, / will, in a few
words, advert to our past relations He
was 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
M nj nj IT,
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 Goth and 22d
of July. 1t will be remembered that he
called at my headquarters after these
two engagements, and communicated to
me Hardee's 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, l sought to account for his
sudden revolution Of feeling and his
hOpefuiness. since he had been regarded
as not 0versanguine 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-
vfous afternoon and night. and those OF
the Goth and ED Of july that was not
the reckless. indiscreet commander the
party represented me;
that had been harshly judged. and
feebly sustained by the officers and men;
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 at
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, II he could prevent 1t. For these
reasons his loss became doubly great to
me. The heroic career and death of this
soldier must ever endear
the memory Of his last words to his
and should entitle his name
to be inscribed in immortal characters
in the annals Of our history.
A similar revolution in feeling took