Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-04-07
NEWS FROM THE SOUTH.

the 10th, makes the following statement,
esting:
The denunciatiOns, wrongs and injustice
heaped upon Gen. A. S. johnson, for his
retrograde movement are in every wuy I'M
deserved. Long before General johnson
was compelled TO make this retrograde
movement, he addressed letters to the
Governors of the different States, informing
them of the condition of affairs, aud was
thus compelled to expose his feeble condi-
tioni but neither the people nor the gov
ernmentlistened to!his admonitions. As we
have before stated, Gen Johnston had be-
come convinced that neither Bowling
Green nor Donelson were tenable, aud
with the hope Of saving the latter he sent
all the achievements he could spare at
Dover, reserYing for himsolf force hard
~ sufficient to cover his own retreat had
the enemy fallen upon him.
1t is stated that the message of Presi-
dent Davis, in relation to Fort Donelson,
says that the reports of Floyd and Pillow
do not state that reinfOrcements were asked
for, and it is not shown that the position
could not be evacuated, and the whole
army saved as well rs part. Nor is it
shown by what authority the two senior
generals abandoned their responsibility by
|
GERS: In explanation in part of the omis-
sion thus stated, and as part of the history
of the surrender of Fort Donelson, have
obtained from junior officer, who was
present on that occasion, the following
reliable statement OF the particulars of
the surrender, which will be read with in
terest. 5..a,r
On the morning of the 10th of Februa-
~, about one o'clock, it had been deter
mined by the commanding officers to cut
our way through the enemy's lines, destroy
the army stores aud retreat from Dover to
Nashville. For this purpose scouts were
sent out to ascertain whether the enemy
occupied the ground they had been driven
from the day previous, and some of For
rests men were ordered to Inspect a
slough, covered with back water from the
river, to see if it was passable for iufaL-
try. The scouts returned soon after and
reported that the roads were perfectly
alive with troops, and that their camp
fires were burning in every direction; also
that the slough was half leg deep in mire,
and the water reaching to the saddle skirts.
This Information produced change of
operations, and conference then took
place, at which were present Gems. Floyd,
Pillow and Buckner, Colonies Forrest and
John c. Burch, Majors Gilmer, Henry,
Haynes and Jones, and Lieutenahts Martin
and Nicholson, the two last being aids of
Gen. Pillow.
Notwithstanding that Communication
was thus cut of, Gen. Pillow urged the ne.
cessity of making the attempt 10 cut our
way out, or make fight for one day more,
) in which time he thought that we could get
steamboats, enough to put the whole COM
mand across the river and make our escape
by GAINESVILLE.
Gen. Buckner then said that, from the
worn-Out and distressed condition of his
men, and the occupation of his rife pits on
the extreme right by the enemy, he could
not hold his position for half an hour il
attacked by the enemy at daylight, which
he would certainly do.
General Pillow replied "Why cant
your think you can, sir" and added
that the occupation four rifle pits by the
enemy left an open gateway to our river
battery, and he thought we ought to cut
our way through at all hazards, -
General Buckner retorted, saying: 81
know my position; / can only bring to
| bear against the enemy 1000 men. while
he can oppose me with any given num-
ber." -
General Pillow then said "WeIl, gen.
} tlemen, what do you intend to do? an
in favor of fighting it ont" H
} General Floyd then asked General Buck.
ner what lie had to say?
, General Buckner replied quickly that Il
attempt to cut our way through the enc
my's lines would cost a sacrifice of three.
fourths of the command, and that no Gen
eral had the right to make such a sacrifice
Ofhuman life
General Floyd admitted the fact and con.
J Cured with Gen. Buckner on this point.
General Pillow then remarked that there
was but one alternative left, and that was
capitulatton; aud addressing himself to
General Floyd, said: ''Sir, / shall neither
surrender the command nor myself; will
. die first"
} General Floyd then said he also would
not surrender himself, adding: "You know
: my relations with the fedaral government,
and 1t would not do" Abiding to his
course when Secretary of War in (iistribut-
: ing to the South. its quota of arms.
General Buckuer replied that be Ihoupbt
no personal feeling ought to control official
action.
General Floyd admitted it, and said
nevertheless it was his determination.
General Buckner said: 'tThen, gentle
men, | suppose the surrender will devoIve
General Floyd, addressing Buckner
said General, if you are put in com!
b %ana, VIII vi, you allow me to take out my
General Huckner replied: eyes, sir, if
SSu move your command before send my
oneE T Of capitnlation to the enemy"
Then, " said General Floyd, 81 surren-
der the command" =
General Pillow, upon whom the COM
mand next devolved, said, 81 will not ac.,
cePt II; as my purpose is fixed never to
1
General Buekner Immediately. replied.
Will accept it, and will share the fate Of
ny command" and at once called for pen,
INK aud paper, and a bugler to sound a
Parley' II being too dark to send flag of
General Pillow then asked if it would
UJ PESP S. ior Nun TO make his escape; to