The National tribune., 1906-10-25
SIGHTS AT NASHVILLE.
A Boys Memories of the Destruction Of
Hoods Army.

Editor National Tribune: The ac-
count given Of the battle of Nashville
by Gen. Hood seems strange in the
light of authentic history and truth.
The article states:
1.-The Federal army marched out and
attacked both flanks while the main
assault was directed against our left.
Throughout that day they were re-
pulsed at all points of the line with
heavy loss and only succeeded toward
evening in capturing the infantry out
posts on our left and with them the
small force. together with the artillery
posted in these unfinished works"
If this is true, then why should he
fall back four miles that evening so
hastily, resting his left at Brentwood
Hills, his right at Overton Hills and
intrench for another days struggle :?
The writer having been on the ground
distinctly remembers what occurred, so
far as he was able to see the field from
Gen. Thomass headquarters on the
first days fight. We stood upon little
rise one and a half miles distant from
the rebel line, having n good view
south and southwest. We We're near
the Hillsboro pike, on our right center,
a little south of a line due east from
Montgomery Hill, where the rebels had
posted battery. Col. Posts brigade
of infantry had been lying in front of
this all day, waiting for the order to
"go for it."
In our immediate front not more
than 10 yards was n brigade of dis
mounted cavalry; that is, the horses
were here; the men off somewhere not
visible to us for the timber in front to
the right.
At p. m. everything seemed quiet
except now and then a shell was thrown
from the rebel battery, and the deep
roar of a heavy gun off to our right
was heard, which probably was from
our gunboat shelling the timber on the
enemys line.
At 3 p. m. staff officer hurredly
rode up from the right front with a
dispatch, which he handed to Gen.
Thomas, who read it, who in turn
handed it to a brother officer Then
gathered about him several others of
smaller rank, and chatted about the
situation. In about 20 minutes the
staff officer remounted, Gen. Thomas
having given him a dispatch, saying to
him:
"Ten the General if he needs any
help to send up word. Good-by, Mike"
"Good-by. General" was Mikes re-
ply, and off he gailantly dashed, down
through the timber. lost to our view.
/ have ofttimes wondered who Mike
was.
In very short time we heard firing
over there, followed by great cheering.
They proved II be Yankee cheers.
About this time the infantry brigade
lying in front OF the rebel red oubt
moved out into the open in plain view
Up the slope they went for the rebel
battery. The scene was inspiring. With
quickened tread they went cheering di-
rectIy in front of the guns; some fell
by the way; two We're required to help
one to the rear. But on they went.
Nearing the top of the works. over
they went, a few knockdowns. and all
in sight was captured. Guns and many
prisoners were captured there.
Gen. Thomas was dismounted. stand
hand. Many officers of high rank. to-
gether with low-rank officers and or
derlies and guards, were about him.
all eager at the scene.
At that time the writer was lad Is
years old, not connected with the army
but in the civil service. and privileged
t. come and go at will during the in
vestment of the city. ] was quite near
to Gen. Thomas. and heard him talk
with other officers. All seemed CHEEKY
and hopeful. We We're in range of the
battery, but it reserved it's fire for Col
Posts charge.
The whole Union line now advanced
driving back the enemy four miles,
when each army bivouacked on the
field and made ready for the next days
conflict. In the meantime the writer
returned t. the city to obtain rations.
The next morning we were out with a.
]. Smiths men. These were very close
up to the enemy's line, each side lying
down behind earth and rails. A bat
terry was posted near our line, which
the men had masked with brush. There
were not more than 500 yards between
the contending troops, but for a time
all was quiet at this point.
] have never been able to learn just
where we were with reference to the
many pixies. but we We're by that house
where Hood had his headquarters the
day before and at the base of a hill
which sloped toward us to the east, the
top having been mile Off
About 3 p. m. at the top of this hill
our cavalry was seen driving out the
enemy posted there, some Of whom
came down the slope on the run to-
ward us, and, of course, their friends
in line of battle in our front. The John
nies now got uneasy, as they saw they
were fianked and either must fight or
run. We saw they were up to some
thing, and now they rose up suddenly,
appearing to me like there We're a mil