ut a Yankee, unless it be a renegade could possibly weave together — that Hood has received no serious check, although he has been compelled to relinquish the siege of Nashville as a work above his strength — that his army is not only existent still, but existent in such a condition that it is able to set Thomas at defiance, who dares not attack him upon his retreat.
This conclusion we arrive at from collecting and comparing the Yankee accounts themselves.
Thomas tells us that, on the 15th of December, Hood's left wing was repulsed, while his right wing remained firm — that (although this right was not repulsed) he was terribly defeated — that in this terrible defeat we lost eight hundred prisoners. Notwithstanding this "utter rout," as other Yankee accounts state it, Hood falls back only twenty-two miles in two days! It follows, of course, that the pursuit could not have been very close; and the statements of nine thousand or ten thousand prisoners captured in such a rout is utterl
been attacked when in the act of raising the siege of Nashville, and that, on the 20th of December, he had made up for his ill-fortune by defeating the enemy severely at Columbia.
We say we know not whether this report is entitled to entire credit; but the substance of it corresponds so well with what we had previously conceived to be the true state of the case that we cannot avoid attributing to it a certain degree of probability at least.
Had General Hood been so badly beaten on the 15th of December as to compel a retreat so rapid and disorderly that it entailed a loss of ten thousand prisoners, in addition to the killed and wounded, it is impossible that he should have been, on the 19th, only twenty-two miles from the field of battle.
His army would, by that time, either have been many miles farther off or it would have been entirely dispersed, especially when we take into consideration the Yankee statement that Thomas lost only three thousand men in the battle itself, and that H
nd orders from General Grant, and some part to the non-arrival of General Smith's command from St. Louis, whose progress was delayed by storms, and possibly, bad roads.
He also hoped by making the fight so far north to partly counterbalance in the pursuit (for he never contemplated the possibility of defeat) the deficiency of cavalry.
The New York Times says Grant is at the head of all the movements now progressing, and cites to prove it the fact--
That it was on the very day (December 15th) when the news got to New York that Sherman's scout had reached Dahlgren's fleet with the intelligence that Sherman's army had safely arrived at the seaboard — it was on that same day that the gallant army of Thomas sallied out of Nashville, struck Hood, and began the battle which ended in the total rout of the rebel forces from Tennessee.
We have no means of verifying the idea, but we have no doubt that the one great event waited upon the other, and that when Grant on the James heard o
assed; and our gallant boys trod it with lightness of step and buoyancy of heart.--About the capital, General Hood established his lines, throwing up works and disposing his forces with the skill of an old master of the art of war. Until the 15th of December he maintained his position, annoying the enemy by daily reconnaissances and expeditions against his lines of communication, exterior posts and garrisons.
"On the 15th of December, Thomas, forced to do something by the pertinacious deman15th of December, Thomas, forced to do something by the pertinacious demands of his master at Washington, advanced upon Hood, and was thoroughly worsted.
The succeeding day (the 16th) he sallied forth anew, and attacked us with vehemence.
Beaten completely upon each wing, he would have been completely overthrown had not an unfortunate contretemps occurred, which immediately and disastrously changed the whole tide of battle.
Our centre, though not severely pressed, gave way suddenly — our works were abandoned, and a flight ensued.
The wings, unable to contend long
By Johnson's independent agency.from Washington. Washington, December 15.
--The disarming of the black troops in Mississippi arises, probably, from the fear of trouble, now that the holidays are so rapidly approaching.
It is a fact that women and children are now in the Northern States whose homes are in the South, but p congressional circles.
Legal documents have been prepared, favoring this idea, by one of the ablest lawyers in the country.
Second Dispatch. Washington, December 15.
--The departure for Europe on Wednesday of the Chief Secretary of the French Legation is connected with the details of the Mexican question and growing pgation from Washington will take place in case of the formal appointment of an United States minister to the Mexican republic.
Third Dispatch. Washington December 15.
--The House yesterday adopted the original Stevens resolution by a two-thirds vote.
It is regarded as settling the question of admitting Southern claima
The Fenian Stephens in Paris. New York, December 15.
--The Dublin Irishman, of December--, has the following letter, translated from the French:
"Paris, November 27. "Mr. Editor,
--I take the liberty of writing to you these few lines to inform you that your brave countryman, Stephens, who escaped so happily from Dublin prison, has arrived, safe and sound, in Paris.
He has even been seen during the past two days, surrounded by numerous friends, dining in one of the great restaurants of the Boulevard des Italians.
It is needless to tell you, Mr. Editor, how the world was delighted on hearing that Stephens had escaped.
We are all convinced that the day is not far distant when Ireland shall break forever the Saxon chains which have kept her bound so long, and will resuscitate, as they, and as we all hope in France, great, glorious and free. "I have the honor to be, sir, "Your obedient servant, [Signed] "J. De Longville, "a profound admirer of the Irish natio
Washington, December 15.
--The Commissioner of Customs has received information that a cargo of whisky, teas, dry goods, etc., has been seized at Rochester, New York.
The goods were smuggled from Canada through the District of Oswego, where the principal smuggling is done.
Forgery. Baltimore, December 15.
--A forged check, purporting to be from Colonel Robert Colevan, proprietor of the Eutaw House, for one thousand dollars in gold, was successfully passed a few days ago on W. T. Smithson & Company, bankers.
The great billiard tournament a failure. Baltimore, December 15.
--The billiard tournament at the Front Street Theatre has proved an entire failure.
The exhibition was suspended last night for want of patronage.
Mr. Phelan went home disgusted.
