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[327] reached,1 when Forrest so opportunely joined the army, and thence, with skill, determination, and endurance, formed its rearguard to the Tennessee River.

Speaking of this battle, General Hood in his book says:2 ‘At an early hour (16th) the enemy made a general attack along our front, and were again and again repulsed at all points, with heavy loss, especially in Lee's front. About 2.30 P. M. the Federals concentrated a number of guns against a portion of our line, which passed over a mound on the left of our centre, and which had been occupied during the night. This point was favorable for massing troops for an assault under cover of artillery. Accordingly the enemy availed himself of the advantage presented, massed a body of men—apparently one division—at the base of the mound, and, under the fire of artillery, which prevented our men from raising their heads above the breastworks, made a sudden and gallant charge up to and over our intrenchments. Our line, thus pierced, gave way; soon thereafter it broke at all points, and I beheld for the first and only time a Confederate army abandon the field in confusion.’

On the 24th and 25th of December, General Beauregard, who was still in Charleston, received telegrams from Colonel G-. W. Brent, his Chief of Staff, then at Montgomery, Ala., informing him that He had ‘nothing official from Hood,’ but that, from a despatch received from General S. D. Lee, then at Florence, he was ‘apprehensive that some reverse may have occurred.’3 Such information, vague in the main, but significant in more than one respect, caused great anxiety to General Beauregard; but He could not leave Charleston at that juncture, and was therefore compelled to await further tidings.

A day or two later Colonel Brent again telegraphed as follows:

If you can be spared from your present duties, I think it important that you should come here as soon as practicable.

Geo. Wm. Brent, Col., and A. A. G.

1 There it was that General S. D. Lee was severely wounded in the foot, and compelled to leave the field.

2 ‘Advance and Retreat,’ p. 302

3 See the two telegrams referred to, in Appendices to the present and to the preceding chapter.

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