ing that you were the better judge, and remembering that 'nothing risked, nothing gained,' I did not interfere. Now, this undertaking being a success, the honor is all yours; for I believe that none of us went further than to acquiesce. And taking the work of General Thomas into the count, as it should be taken, it is indeed a great

success.

"Not only does it afford the obvious and immediate military advantages, but in showing to the world that your army could be divided, putting the stronger part to an important new service, and yet leaving enough to vanquish the old opposing forces of the whole,-Hood's army, it brings those who sat in darkness to see a great light.

"But what next? I suppose it will be safe, if I leave General Grant and yourself to decide. Please make my grateful acknowledgements to your whole army,--officers and men.

"Yours very truly,

"A. LINCOLN."

During Sherman's march to the sea, Hood in his march North moved rapidly into Tennessee, crossing the Tennessee River at Florence. At this time Thomas' effective force under Schofield was only about thirty thousand men. At different points holding important posts, he had also twenty or more thousand men, while Hood, who had just been reinforced by General Taylor's army from Mobile, now had about fiftyfive thousand.

J. B. HOOD.

On November 17, General Hood ad

vanced in two col

umns toward Nashville. Thomas had resolved to keep as

strong a force as possible in front of the rebel advance, falling slowly back upon Nashville,-carefully avoiding a battle until he felt sufficiently strengthened to warrant a success in a conflict. Hood now advanced rapidly, and it became necessary for Thomas to fight a battle at Franklin, in order to get his trains across the Big Harpeth River, and into Nashville. The battle of Franklin was gallantly fought by Schofield, on the 30th of November, who had but eighteen thousand men to confront the entire force of Hood. The rebels charging with the greatest impetuosity in columns four deep, notwithstanding they were met by a fearful fire of artillery and musketry, were able to hurl back the advance Union line in utter confusion upon the main line,-- pressing on, the victors, after a most desperate struggle, forced their way within the second line, planting their flag upon the National entrenchments. All seemed lost, when General Opdyke's brigade, with General Conrads in support, charged upon the victorious Confederates. Swiftly, steadily and irresistibly they bore back the rebel line, driving them with fearful slaughter, recapturing the works and guns, and restoring the Union line,—from which they were not again driven, although Hood again and again hurled his columns against it, only desisting at nearly midnight. Sorely disappointed and chagrined, he gave up the contest, having lost heavily, among which were thirteen general officers and over six thousand men. The Federals lost twenty-three hundred, Schofield having Accomplished his purpose, and secured the trains, he fell back during the night. Of this battle General Grant says as follows:

"This was the first serious opposition the enemy met with, and I am satisfied, was the fatal blow to all his expectations. During the

night General Schofield fell back toward Nashville; this left the field to the enemy,-not lost by battle, but voluntarily abandoned, so that General Thomas' whole force might be brought together."

Hood pressed forward to Nashville, and by December had drawn his lines around the city. Skirmishes were now of daily occurrence, principally by the cavalry force of the contending armies. By the 14th Thomas was ready to take the offensive, and gave orders accordingly. During the following two days he fought a continuous battle, breaking through the rebel lines, defeating and routing him,-capturing four thousand, four hundred and sixty-two prisoners, nearly all of his artillery, and drove him southward, a disorganized mass of stragglers rather than an army, its spirit broken beyond hope of recovery. Hood had entered Tennessee with a well-organized army of fifty-five thousand men, full of enthusiasm, confident of victory. He left it with half that number, intent only in saving themselves from becoming prisoners of war. Thomas pursued the rebel forces as rapidly as he could rebuild bridges destroyed by the retreating foe. On the 30th of December he announced the campaign ended, and distributed his troops in winter cantonments.

General Grant, who at one time was greatly concerned at the bold advance of Hood and the seemingly dilatory movements of Thomas, has presented his views and the great pleasure which he felt at the result, in these words:

"Before the battle of Nashville, I grew very impatient over, as it appeared to me, the unnecessary delay. This impatience was increased upon learning that the enemy had sent a force of cavalry across the Cumberland into Kentucky. I feared Hood would cross his whole army, and give us great trouble there. After urging upon General Thomas the necessity of immediately assuming the offensive, I started West to superintend matters there in person. Reach

ing Washington City, I received General Thomas' dispatclı announcing his attack upon the enemy, and the result, as far as the battle had progressed. I was delighted. All my fears and apprehensions were dispelled. I am not yet satisfied but that General Thomas, immediately upon the appearance of Hood before Nashville, and before he had time to fortify, should have moved out with his whole force and given him battle, instead of waiting to remount his cavalry, which delayed him until the inclemency of the weather made it impracticable to attack earlier than he did. But his final defeat of Hood was so complete, that it will be accepted as a vindication of that distinguished officer's judgment."

Thomas had been more than vindicated, and it had confirmed him in the good opinion of his superiors and the army at large, as a cool, determined and far-seeing general. For this achievement he was appointed Major-General in the regular army, to date from the 15th day of December, the date of his victory at Nashville.

Thus closed the year 1864. At every point the armies of the Union had been victorious, "everywhere the rebellion was reeling and staggering beneath the blows which were dealt it."

CHAPTER XVI.

THE FINAL VICTORY.

The fourth year of the war was now entered upon. The final overthrow of the Rebellion was near at hand. It was evident, not only to the North and foreign powers, but the South, also, that their affairs were hopeless, and that a prolongation of the conflict could only prolong the reign of misery and death. Throughout the entire North there was a desire for peace, and a willingness to concede almost any terms consistent with national honor and territorial integrity.

President Lincoln, during the latter part of the winter of 1864-5, visited the army in front of Petersburg, and for the first time witnessed war in all of its horrors. His humane nature was deeply stirred by the revolting spectacle. Headley, in his "Sherman and His Campaign," in speaking of this visit, says:

"He walked over ground covered with bodies of the slain, more numerous than he could count or cared to count. He saw living men with broken heads and mangled forms, and heard the hopeless groans and piteous wails of the dying whom no human hand could save. He witnessed the bloody work of the surgeons,-those carpenters and joiners of human frames,--and saw amputated legs and arms piled up in heaps, to be carted away like the offal of a slaughter-house; and he turned from the horrid sight, exclaiming, 'This is war, horrid war--the trade of barbarians.' Appealing to his principal officers, he inquired, 'Gentlemen, is there no way by which we can put a stop to this fighting ?'”