The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-04-24
The Panic ut Nashville.
How THE CRY CAME INTO UNION HANDS.


Fort Donelson, Tenn, surrendered on Sunday
morning, February 10th. 1t took but a short time
for the news to travel 20 miles, to Nashville. The
effect Of the news, the panic that seized the Cen
eederate troops in the vicinity, and possessed them
during the eight days that interviewed before Gems.
Buell. and Mitchell marched into Nashville, is thus
graphically described by the Republican Banner of
February 9th, which continues to be published in
that city:
Early Sunday morning, FEBRUARY 10th ) it was
rumored that Fort Donelson had surrendered, but it
was not until between 10 and IL \. NJ. that the
rumor became general. In the mean time the General
Assembly had been hastily convened. and after n
short session, had adjourned to meet in the city Of
Memphis on the 10Th. The citizens generally, una
ware of any disaster to the Southern cause. were
quietly repairing TO church, where, however, they
were met by the report that Fort Donelson had fallen,
that a Federal army was already at Springfield,
Robertson county, about % miles from this city, con-
nectei by railroad. and that the %gunboats hld passed
GAINESVILLE. on their way to this city. The sudden
fight of the Governor AID all the State officers, in
Guiding the General Assembly, who took a special
train through to Memphis. gave color to these absurd
rumors, and the whole city was thrown into n panic.
About this time Gen. Johnston's army from Bowling
Green entered the city passing south, thus leaving
the impression that no stand was TO be made for the
defense of Nashville Such hurrying to and fro was
never seen. Before ~nighifall hundreds of citizens,
with their families, were making their way as best
they could for the South, many of them having no
idea why they were thus r~eckessly abandoning COM
Portable homes, or where they were going About
night il was announced that the military authorities
would throw open the public stores 10 all who would
take them.
The excitement continued through Sunday night,
constantly gaining strength, aided by the destruction
of two gunboats Mt the wharf which were in process
Of construction-two fine New Orleans packets, the
James Hoods and james Johnson, having been taken
for that purpose. The retreating army tGen. john
ston continued its march, encamping by regiments at
convenient points outside of the city.
Monday morning, 18th, the drama opened in the
I civ intensely exciting. The public stores were dis
tributed TO some extent among the people, while the
army and hospitals were making heavy acquisitions,
and pressing all men and vehicles that they could. to
convey their supplies TO their camps. AT the same
time considerable quantities were removed TO the
depots for transportation South. Evening came, and
no gunboats and no Federal army from Kentucky.
Gen. Johnston left for the South, placing Gen. Floyd
in command, assisted by Generals Pillow and Hardee.
The apprehension of the near approach of the enemy
having been found groundless, ii was determined by
Gen. Floyd that the destruction of the stores was pre-
mature, and an order was sent to close the ware
houses, and 4 force detailed TO collect what had been
given out. This was done as far rs practicable ; but
on Tuesday the distribution commenced again, and
continued with more or less restrictions. under the
eve Of the most judicious citizens, until Saturday
morning. Tuesday night the wire bridge and rail-
road across the Cumberland were destroyed in spite
Of the most earnest and persistent circumstances of
our leading citizens. The wire bridge cost about
Sl50,0O0, and n large portion OF the stock was own
Ell by the lamentei Gen ZollicofFer, and was the chief
reliance for support of his orphaned daughters. The
railroad bridge cost S25O,OOO, and was one of the
finest draw5ridges in the country.
The scenes which were enacted duringsthe follow
ing iays up TO Monday morning, the 9Th, beggar
description. The untiring energy Of the Mayor and
city authorities, who throughout this whole affair
acted with n prudence, zeal and devotion to the city
which cannot be too highly commended, was made
qua;e to keep down the selfish and unprinciple1 spirit
of Mammon, which run riot, grasping from the
mouths aud backs Of suffering widows and orphans
the poor pittance Of meat and clothing which was left
them as indemnify for months OF toll with their
needles and The sacrifice of husbands, sons and broth