the achievements of the whole division. The 2nd Division moved as a unit; triumphed as a unit-and where all did well, it is impossible to discriminate and say that any one regiment or detachment is entitled to brighter laurels than another. We think, however, that the detachment of skirmishers detailed from the 36th are justly entitled to worthy notice, from the fact that they took the initiative and were the first to reach the barricade of fallen timber, behind which the enemy's pickets were securely laying, and when the wild tempest of shot beat against them, none clung to the position with greater tenacity than the boys of the 36th. It was they that inaugurated measures for the expulsion of the enemy from their intrenched position and opened the way for the final charge. On gaining the picket line, their reserves were observed at work strengthening the line and rendering a stone wall impervious to shot by covering it with earth. After some solicitation on the part of Lieut. Hall, a single gun was dragged by hand up to the skirmish line, planted behind an enormous stump, which served as a parapet, and solid shot and shell were hurled in rapid succession against the wall, mingling earth and rock in one common ruin. A passage many yards in extent was opened and cleared of defenders, through which the 2nd Division, when the final charge was made, was enabled to pass with trifling loss.

When the works were finally carried, and a glorious victory achieved, there was no halting for congratulation or for the col lection of trophys. On charged the exultant Federals in swift pursuit, up the Franklin pike. A disorderly, panic-stricken

rabble crowded the road in front, without the semblance of military order and discipline. Each was intent on his own individual safety. Artillery was brought up and planted on commanding elevations, and frequent discharges of shell served to heighten

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the confusion of the retreat. Numbers who had sought shelter in ravines or houses by the way-side were gathered up as the victorious columns marched along, and sent as prisoners to the rear.

The colored soldiers joined in the pursuit with as keen a zest as the most enthusiastic of the veterans. In passing a house near the road, a tall, lank and not altogether subdued Rebel was observed still in possession of his Enfield rifle and military accoutrements. A member of the 36th ordered him to throw it down and surrender, which he reluctantly proceeded to do. Just then a colored soldier came up on a full run, and with a broad grin on his face, indicating his satisfaction at the aspect of affairs. Approaching the 36th boy, he thus accosted him, "Dis am high ole fun. Aint we jess morn makin' dem Rebbils git? Say, sah, has yer enny caterges? I'me plum out, spended dem in de complemens ob de season wid dem Rebbils." He was directed to appropriate the contents of the cartridge box of the surrendered Confederate. Johnnie was slow in complying with the demand to deliver, and looked daggers at the sable son of the South, muttering something that sounded like "d-d niggers." Ethiopia soon replenished his ammunition, and dashed on, enthusiastic and happy.

The defeat of Hood was most signal and complete. Along his line of retreat evidences of disaster marked the way. Small arms were thickly strewn along the road, his dead were left where they had fallen, and his wounded were uncared for. In the pursuit, squads of careworn and dejected prisoners were gathered up and marched to the rear. A dozen Federals would not hesitate to charge a body of ten times their number, and generally brought them unresisting into our lines. Darkness interrupted the pursuit, and the 4th Corps bivouacked upon the Franklin turnpike a mile from the village of Brentwood.

No defeat was more crushing to the Confederate cause in the west, or victory to the Federal arms more complete, than this last struggle of rebellion about Nashville. Its army Its army had fought with distinction, and covered itself with glory on many a historic field. In all the battles of the west, from Belmont, Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga, Atlanta, Franklin to Nashville, where it found an honored grave, it had fought with distinction. Its patient endurance of hardships, its persistence, bravery, fortitude in defeat, and the tenacity with which it had clung to their cause, from friend and foe alike challenged admiration and respect. Lee's army in the east and Hood's in the west were the only remaining supports of the rebellion. One of these was now broken, its remnants fleeing southward a disorganized rabble, and from the crushing effects of this defeat it never again recovered. The immediate fruits of this victory were four thousand four hundred and sixty two prisoners, including one Major General, three Brigadiers, two hundred and eighty officers of lower grade, all the wounded upon the field, fifty-three pieces of artillery, thousands of small arms, and twenty-five battle flags.

We have failed, after a careful inspection of reports and other memoranda, to obtain a complete list of casualties of the 36th in this engagement. The losses, however, were small, and if we are unable to present the names of all, it is not from a lack of effort on our part.

COMPANY C.

Orderly Sergt. David S. Irvine, killed; Corp. David H. Henderson, wounded in the head; Sergt. John A. Porter, thigh.

COMPANY G.

Joseph Scofield, thigh.

COMPANY K.

G. A. Underwood, killed.

CHAPTER XLIII.

PURSUIT OF HOOD.

A

GREAT battle had been fought-a victory, decisive

in its results, had been won. The vanquished enemy was in full retreat, and the next duty-a sad onewas to care for the wounded. The night was dark; the scene of conflict spread over a wide area of field, woodland and mountain. Details ranged the bloodbesprinkled field-groping their way by the light of torches and lanterns-in the search for wounded comrades. They were found lying singly or in pairs; under trees or in secluded nooks, utterring but few words of complaint or moans of distress; patiently awaiting the arrival of the stretcher-bearers, to carry them to the field hospitals, there to receive such care and attention as the nature of their wounds demanded. Wounded Confederates received the same humane treatment, and all the long night, surgeons were engaged in their melancholy labors, and such as could be found in that gloomy midnight search were cared for.

Orders were issued for the collection of captured and abandoned property, for its preservation and care, while such a disposition was made of the forces as to insure a vigorous and effective pursuit. For more than three years, this very army, under

various leaders, had confronted us at every turn; had annoyed us on every march, and fought us on many a well-contested battle-field. It had done all that heroic fortitude and valor could do to vindicate their cause. The whole north was filled with fearful evidences of its persistent courage and daring. Every neighborhood, and nearly every fireside, was darkened with the shadow of death. The wailing cry of widows; the tears of orphaned children; the anguish of broken hearts, were terrible witnesses of their indomitable bravery, the perseverance and energy of the now discomfitted and flying foe. All were keenly alive to the necessity of a vigorous pursuit-which would terminate forever the career of an army that had inflicted upon the country such unnumbered woes.

The people, not being aware of the want of preparation, and of the lack of many essentials for following up and obtaining decisive results from a battle and victory, were clamorous for an immediate advance. During the fifteen days of nominal investment, the popular cry assumed something of the proportions of the "On to Richmond" clangor of 1861. To this Gen. Thomas gave no heed, but when the echoes of popular feeling were responded to by Gen. Grant and the military authorities at Washington, the case assumed a different aspect, and when offensive operations were finally inaugurated on the 15th, many essentials to a complete and decisive triumph were still lacking. The rainy reason had set in, the roads were miry, the creeks and rivers were full to overflowing. It was in the power of a retreating enemy, though badly defeated, to destroy all the bridges in their rear, and without adequate preparation for bridging the streams, delays must ensue. A single pontoon train was all that Gen. Thomas had at his command. This, when thrown across an otherwise impassable stream, must necessarily remain until