Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1862-03-14

liant Floyd, who commanded the vanguard
of the retreat from Donelson.
Harris instantly convened his Legisla-
ture, but, finding no parliamentary rem
edy against the approach Of Yankees with
rifles and armored gunboats, they adjourn
ed without calling for the nays, and took
special train for Memphis.
Before night, Johnson with his retreat
ing horde from Bowling Green, entered the
city, and struck panic, and when rumor
became current that the dreaded gunboats
had taken Clarksville, and we're advan-
cling up the river, the excitement grew to
be tremendous.
To save the trouble Of writing, take
the remainder of the account from an ex-
ira of The Republican Banner, issued
this morning.
Such hurrying to and fro was never
seen. Before nightfall. hundreds of citi-
zens, with their families. were making
their way, as best they could, for the
South, many of them having no idea why
they were thus recklessly abandoning COM
Portable homes. or where they we're going.
About night it was announced that the
military authorities would throw open the
public stores to all who would take them.
The excitement continued through
sunday night, t,constantly gaining strength,
aided by the destruction Of two gun boats
at the wharf, which were in process of con-
structiop, two line New-Orleans packets,
the James Woods and James johnson,
having been taken for that purpose. The
retreating army of Gen. Johnson, contin-
ued its march. encamping by regiments
at convenient points outside Of the city.
Monday morning the drama opened
in the city intensely exciting. The pub
lie stores were distributed to some extent
among the people, while the army and
hospitals were making heavy acquisitions,
and pressing all vehicles and men that
they could, to convey their supplies to
their camps. At the same time consider
able quantities were removed to the depots
for transportation South. Evening came,
and no gun-boads and no Union army
from Kentucky. Gen. Johnson left for
the South, Gen. Floyd in command, assis.
ted by Gems. Pillow and Hardee.
"The apprehcnsions Of the near ap-
proach of the enemy having been found
groundless, it was determined by Gen.
Floyd that the destruction of the stores
was premature, and an order was sent to
close the warehouses and force detailed
to collect what had been given out.
This was done as far as practicable; but
on Tuesday the distribution commenced
again, and continued with more or less
restrictions, under the eye of the most ju.
dicious citizens, until Saturday morning
Tuesday night the wire bridge and rail.
road bridge across the Cumberland were
destroyed, in spite of the most earnest and
pelsistant remonstrances of our leading
citizens. The wire bridge cost abou,
$l5O,000. and large portion Of the stock
was owned by the lamented t1en. Zolilco-
fer and was the chief reliance for sup
port of his orphaned daughters. The
railroad bridge cost $l50.O0O, and was
one Of the finest draw bridges in the coun.
try.
The scenes which were enacted during
the following days up to Monday morning
the 24th, beggar description. The untir.
ing energy of the Mayor and city author
tiles, who througout the whole affair. act
ted with prudence, zeal and devotion tc
the city, which cannot be too highly com
mended, was inadequate to keep down the
selfish and unprincipled spirit Of Mammor
which ran riot, grasping from the mouths
and backs of suffering widows and or
phans the poor pittance Of meat and cloth
ing which was left them as indemnity fol
months Of toll with their needles, and tn,
sacrifice of husbands, sons, and brothers
in defense Of the Southern Confederacy
Through the efforts Of the Mayor. howev
er, plan was adopted on Saturday, b.
which most if not all Of these poor ant
unprotected creditors Of the Governmen