The Washington herald., 1914-12-06
FEDERALS SMASH HOODS
FORCES.
November 80.

under Gen. John NJ. Schofield administer
cd a bloody repulse to a superior force
of Confederates under Gen. Hood at
Franklin, Tenn, seventeen miles south
Of Nashville, in one of the most notable
engagements OF the war in the West
Historians have not generally accorded
TO the battle Of Franklin the prominence
il deserves. Confederate arms there re-
ceived a stunning blow at a time when
the South could least afford to q reverse.
Hoods whole army was shaken. Its
bravest officers were killed, so great being
the slaughter among them that in one
brigade a captain was ranking officer at
the close of the day. The battle proved
prelude TO a final mortal stroke that
the Federals were to give Hood at the
gatcJ OF Nashville on December 10 and l6.
The battle OF Franklin was a hand-to-
hand struggle between the rank and file
of the armies. On the Confederate side
but little use was made OF the artillery.
The FederaIs used it to a greater ex-
tent, yet, after the first rush of the
southern troops across the open ground,
and when the struggle was centered
along the Federal parapets. even the
Union artillery fire was subordinated TO
the death grapple of the infantrymen.
At the conclusion Of the fight the dead
lay in great piles upon the battlements,
choking the cmbrasures and carpeting
the brea stworks. Blue and gray lay
there together. but the predominance of
coIors of the Confederacy told the story
or how the battle had gone.
Make stand to Protect Trains.
Gen. John r Hood had entered Mid
die Tennessee with an army Of approx
state for the Confederacy. Having
crossed the Tennessee River at Florence.
Ala, nc had rapidly pushed north. and
on November % had forced the Federals
TO beat a retreat from Columbia, on the
Duck River twenty-four miles south from
Franklin.
Gen. Schofeld's army, marching stead
lily through the night while the weary
Confederates slept upon their arms came
in upon the open fields south of the lit
tie town of Franklin at the first light
Of dawn. Great wagon trains and thun-
dering batteries of artillery choked the
single turnpike from Columbia, along
W hich the army moved, seeking to gain
a place of safety on the further bank
of the Harpeth River. which flowed on
Tho northern. outskirts of the town.
Gen. SchofieId had established his head
quarters at the house of DIR. Cliffe in
Franklin. He spent much Of the morning
i'm bed. shortly after L O'Clock he
awOke TO be informed that the army
had taken position, according to his or
ders TO check the Confederates should
they attack while the trains were cross
ing the river. He and his two leading
generals David 5. Stanley, Of the Fourth
Corps and Jacob n. Cox. of the Twenty
third, conferred as TO plans.
Fight where You d-n Please"
The force at Gen. SchofieId's command
numbered scarcely 24JOO men, including
some 4,5OO cavalry under Gen. James II.
Wilson. The infantry comprised five d.
visions. two Of the Twenty-third Corps
and three of the Fourth.
Tho divisions OF Gen. James w. Reilly
and Gen. Thomas II. RuEer, of the Twen-
rv-third took position across the Column
ha pike. about half mile south OF the
town. Reilly resting his left the Har-
peth River above Franklin, and his right
ON the pike. and RuGer continuing the
line to phe west, connecting with Gen. Ma
Than KImbalTs division of the Fourth
Corps. which completed the one and one
half mile are to the river below Frank
lin. These three divisions threw up
br"astworks OF earth from river to river,
protecting their fronts with a light ahat-
liz Of thick hedges and rude ChevauX-de-
rri~e.
Of the remaining two divisions of the
Fourth Corps. that under Gen. Thomas
]. Wood was sent to the north bank of
tho Harpots to guard the trains and
cover a crossing OF the army in event
Of a defeat.
Gen. Wagner was instructed to hold his
uositfnn as long as he could and then
10 fall back. or his three brigades those
OF Coils Conrad and Lane were posted
across the pike. but Col Emerson OPP
dvcke protested at having his men placed
in such an exposed position.
0pdycke and Wagner on horseback
rode north along the Columbia pike, ar
guing as to where the formers brigade
should he placed. As they proceeded the
brigade followed them. and, when the
friendly argument was finally settled, had
passed inside the main line Of Federal
dcfeus"~. There Wagner turned away
with tn" final remark. We'll. Opdyke.
fight when and where you damn please;
No all know you'll fight" The colonel
marched his men TO a clear space in the
rear of the Federal line, and, stacking
arms. allowed his men an opportunity
for a much-needed rest. Opdyke was
destined to save the army from disaster.
Confederatrs Break the Lines.
ticn. Wagner returned TO the two brig
AIDES which he previously had posted far
ont in front to watch the approach of
Hoods army. The plain was level and
open and the masses OF Confederate
troops could he seen coming up the Co
lumbia Pike and forming in regular bat
lie array to the South.
Now and again a small group of officers
would ride forward and ca refully inspect
the Federal position with the aid of
their glasses. In one of the groups was
Gen. Hood. After a close reconnois-
sancc he thrust his glasses into their
tasc, and closing the cover with snap,
said, I'VE will attack
On the Federal side Schofield and STAN
ley were yet at DR.. Cllffe's, unconscious
of the danger and confident that Hood
would not attack. SchofieId looked for
trouble to come from up the river CEasO
whNr" Wilson'S cavalry were pitted
against the Confederate cavalry under
Gen. n. b. Forrest. Cox and returned to
the lines.
Between and o'clock Gen. Schofield
received at least two reports that the
confederates were forming for battle but
nothing was done. The two brigades
Of Gen. Wagner were left out in front
Of the line.
Shortly after $3.50 o'clock Hood precip-
itated the bulk CT his army upon the
Federals Cheatham's and Stewards
CORDS were across the Columbia pike, in
front, with the divisions Of Bate, Brown.
Cleburne, French. Walthan and Loring
in order from left to right. Johnstone's
division of Lees corps 1.-THE only one of
the corps up) was in reserve.
Before the two brigades posted out in
front Of the army had time to withdraw
the Confederates were upon them. For
Just a moment the advance OF the South
ern troops was checked; then they
swarmed around the Federal fianks and