Gen. Van-Dorn's fight.
The Chattanooga Rebel contains some particulars of the fight between Van Dorn and the Yankees on the 12th, occasioned by his assaulting Franklin, Tenn. His force consisted of 7,000 cavalry and a battery of artillery. The Rebel says:‘ After the fight at Thompson's Station the Federal fell back to Franklin. There they have hugged their breastworks ever since. It became expedient to dislodge them, and at the time specified a very well appointed expedition appeared in front of the place. After a random fire of half an hour the Federal retired, and our troops reached the public square. Freeman's battery was posted at the market-house.
The Yankees had not proceeded far before they met Sheridan's division, encamped five miles out With these reinforcements they dashed upon our troops, who had believed the day's work done. A f resulting in the capture of Freeman's battery and its gallant commander. Our force retired to the outstrips of the town. The Yankees did not purine.
A consultation was here held which resulted in a resolve to recapture our lost guns at every hazard. With this intent a general assault was made — The columns of cavalry dashed down the street in splendid style. But when the enemy perceived our object be clubbed his forces before the marketplace, barricading the battery. The struggle sere was most bloody, with heavy loss on both sides.
In the midst of the melee the Yankees unable to hold their position or our artillery, Assassinated Capt. Freeman, who had been sent a prisoner to the rear. We thereafter took no more prisoners.
We took three of the guns back and killed large numbers of the enemy, but heavy reinforcements arriving out of Nashville we found it expedient to retire.
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