demonstration right while the main Federal force, totaling 35,000 attacked the thin Confederate left. They carried redoubts and then successfully assaulted Montgomery Hill and drove the enemy from the main defensive line to a position about a mile to the rear along the Brentwood Hills. Hood had been beaten back but still held the main road to Franklin and remained an effective force. He claimed his lines had been overextended and that the new positions were taken to shorten the line.

Both sides made troop readjustments during the night. There was some thought among Federals that Hood would withdraw, but it was soon clear that the Southern line was solidly posted. Thomas had skillfully handled his troops and had moved surely. When the message of the day's outcome reached Washington before midnight, Grant canceled his plans to go farther than Washington. Logan, who had been sent to supersede Thomas, had not yet arrived in Nashville. On the morning of the l6th the President wired his congratulations and urged Thomas to continue.

On Dec.16 at 6 A.M. in rain and snow Union troops on the left pressed back the Confederate right on the Franklin Pike to the main entrenchments, but S.D. Lee's corps held. Federals completed aligning for battle south of Nashville and the movement against the enemy's left continued along the Granny White Pike. On Hood's left, the Union cavalry had gained his rear and the whole flank was threatened and encircled. Then, late in the afternoon, came the main assault. After a punishing artillery bombardment, up the hills they went in the face of rigorous fire.

The Federals were successful everywhere, capturing many prisoners and much artillery. The Southern left at Shy's Hill gave way and then the center fell back, leaving the right to cover the withdrawal. The Confederates were, as Thomas said, "Hopelessly broken, and they "fled in confusion." Federals pursued for several miles until after dark, but Hood's rear guard fended them off. Hood said his Army of Tennessee resisted all assaults until mid-afternoon, when part of the line to the left of center gave way and "In a few moments our entire line was broken…”

Thomas had some 50,000 to 55,000 Federals on the field and suffered 387 killed, 2562 wounded, and missing for 3,061. Confederate figures are far less certain; Hood probably had well under 30,000 men, of which about 4500 were captured. Killed and wounded were possibly 1500. Of the 4500 captured, among them were WILLIAM EDWIN AND ROBERT N. BAILEY.

William and Robert Bailey were sent to Military Prison in Louisville, Ky. and from there, they were transferred to Camp Douglas, Ill arriving Dec. 20, 1864. They applied for Oath of Allegiance in Jan. 1865.

William stated that he was loyal to the Union, and had enlisted in the Confederate States through false representation. He was captured In Nashville and desired to take the Oath to the United States and become a loyal citizen. He took an appointment as Fifth Sergeant March 31, 1865 and was mustered into service on April 3rd, 1865 serving at this rank until his discharge on Nov. 3, 1866. While serving with the 6th Reg. U.S. Inf. Co. K., in the winter of 1865 near Cottonwood Springs, Nebraska, he incurred frozen feet from exposure. Later that same winter, he sustained a rupture while he was near Elk Horn Nebraska. He took rheumatism from the exposure and was disabled from this in later life.

Robert N. Bailey also took the Oath and went into the 6th Reg't U.S. Vols, Infantry, Co. K. He went in as a Pvt. and remained at this rank. He and William were sent to the Western frontier together. Robert served as company cook, teamster, and was on detached duty when it was called for as scout and guard for wagon trains, etc. Robert was 22 years old when he was captured Dec. 16th, He was 5 feet 6 ½ inches tall had black hair and black eyes. William was captured on Dec. 15th and was 25 years old at the time. He was 5 feet and 11 inches tall and had dark complexion, hazel eyes and black hair. He served as escort to surveying parties at Fort Kerney, Elkhorn and other places.

William was discharged on Nov. 3, 1866 and went back home to Scott Co. Mississippi and lived for one year before he married.

 On October 24, 1867 in Newton Co. Mississippi. William took for his wife, Lucinda Josephine Wharton, whose parents were Jesse Wharton and Martha Acton Wharton. Ned Bailey, a preacher of the C.P. Church, married them. They then moved to Texas with both sets of parents. They all settled in Dallas County at first. Robert N. married Margaret Wiggins in Dallas County on Dec. 10, 1868. J.S. Strother, J.P, married them. After the 1870 census was taken each branch of the family moved to different places. Robert and their father moved to Kaufman Co. and William Edwin and Lucinda ended up in Denton Co. in the 1890's. He died in Denton Co. on April 4th, 1899 and was buried in the Little Elm Cemetery

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