Year: 1866

From the Press and Times.


Battles have been fought so rapidly during the
last five years that time has not been given the peo
peto discuss and fully understand one before another
would be fought and claim attention. The battle in
front of Nashville was so soon followed by the sur
render of the rebel forces and the people were so
much reioced at the prospect for peace that they


failed 70 give the battle the prominence it deserved,
and is destined TO have in the history Of the country
La july 1864 the Confederate cause was fast fail
ing for the want of more vigorous prosecution OF
the war and Hood known to be a brave and dash
ing officer was selected the standard bearer
Several hoy contested battles delivered in front OF
Atlanta fred the Southern heart, and the South was
filled with his praise. The battle of Jonesboro
finally sealed the fate of Atlanta and fell into our
possession Hood saw that it was losing business
TO be driven from point TO point, and desparing OF
inhicting any serious damage to Shermans army, a
campaign into Middle Tennessee was projected and
hailed with delight by his men well as the South
ern people. His men anxious TO return to
Tennessee, and many of his best troops were Ten
nesseeans, while the Southern people we're anxious
10 remove the seat of war far from them. Middle
Tennessee was invaded, but the object of the inva-
sion failed, and Hood was villifed and abused by
the Southern sympathlzers Let us look at his cam
paign in the light Of probable success. Sherman
had started for the sea, taking with him the greater
portion of his grand army which had been opposing
johnson and Hood all summer. Thomas was left
with small command, and everything seemed IA



see the capture of Nashville, and even the planting
of the Confederate flag on the banks Of the Ohio
river The Union cause would have been seriously
damaged by the capture of Nashville with Its I'M
mense steres Of provisions, clothing, camp and gar
rson eoupage to say nothing Of the large quantity
Of artillery small arms and ammunition, which
would have fallen into the hands of the Conteder-
ates.


The chances of success were so much in Hoods
favor and if successful so fraught with advantages
10 the insurgents that in my opinion he was war
ranted in taking the risk. he crossed the river at
Florence and slowly approached Nashville. At
Franklin he received blow, but soon rallied
and followed on, and on the lst day Of December
he formed his lines around the city. i


Fortunately for the cause of the Union, Sherman
had left in Tennessee man of iron will, man OF
energy and ability, in whom all had conf
dence man who has never known defeat General
George II. Thomas, "the greatest Roman of them
all called upon to decide the fate of the State,
ali Of the nation itself. He is as modest as he Is
brave


With such 2 man at the head of affairs all felt safe
in Nashville Hurriedy he gathered his scattered
forces and prepared for bloody conflict. Did any
military man doubt the result ? Not one. When
Gen Thomas gave his instructions TO his subOrdI-
mates they knew that he was fully equal to any
emergency; they knew that before the sun went
down on the following day Hood and his army
would be in full retreat. Corps commanders knew
what was expected of them, and they did not dis





order for battle was a full report Of what was done
no word of explanation necessary He order
ed-it was obeyed. The troops at the disposal OF
General Thomas were the 4th and 23d corps, num-
bering in the aggregate about 10000 men, two d.
visions Of the 10th corps under Gen. A. j. Smith;
the remainder was composed of odds and ends col
lected from hospitals etc. With this force be was
called on to march against Hoods veteran army,
composed of good soldiers ever shouldered mas
kets Arrangements having been completed, the
4 Il -,.1,a AhaV r.Nf
the 18th of December.


The order To CHARGE" was given TO the cavalry
on the ight and like magic it passed from right to
left and soon the whole army was engaged. The
Confederate veterans fought with desperation, but
gradually the Banner of glory and beauty" ad-
vanced; the contest became frightful-the dead and
diving were strewn upon the field. A shout is heard
It's victory and victory, victory is the answer
ing shout of every patriotic on the battlefield from
Wilson's cavalry on the right, TO Steedmans dusEy
sons of Mars on the left. The stars and stripes were
planted on the enemys works, and Hood, with his
army was in full retreat. The army pushed for
ward capturing many prisoners and sixty pieces of
artillery. The enemy was demoralized, and could
not be induced to offer battle again. After Wig
orous pursuit of several days, the remnant of the
fine and defiant army Hood brought into Tennessee
sought safety on the South bank of the Tennessee
river.


The news Of Hoods defeat spread like wild fire.
encouraging the loyal, but making sad hearts il the
South. Lee exclaimed, " w g are whipped, ana
soon surrendered His surrender was followed bv
johnson, and in a few days there not armed
enemy in tho United States Is it not strange that
Thomas should strike the first and last grand,
cessful blows in this terrible struggle through which
we have passed?


Just previous 20 tie battle of Nashville the
friends of the Government were alarmed at q report
from Washington that Thomas was to be relieved
from the command of the army, and his place sup
piled by some one else 1t was not done, be it said
TO the credit Of the War Department. Since the
publication of Grants official report, we are able to
see where the dissatisfaction Grant wished
Thomas to give Hood battle at or near the Tennes-
see river Had Thomas done So bis little army
would have been destroyed, and the rebels would
have marched without serious opposition to Cincin
natl or elsewhere. Sherman would have been pro-
nounced failure, and censured for thus leaving
Tennessee exposed. Thomas superior Judgment
dictated TO him the time and place give battle the
result of which gave peace and restored the
Union. OF all the Union defenders there is not one
with record SO spotless as that OF Gen. Thomas
In every engagement he was successful


The viest slanderer cannot accuse him OF drum
kenness or of being surprised. No spot or stain
rests upon his beautiful character and as long as
universal success true courage and pure patriotism
are respected, so leng viii the name of George 81.
Thomas be revered by the grateful people.