Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-03-22
The Surrender Of Fort observation-disclosures
statement.
L correspondent Of me Eew Orleans Pieayaas,
writing from Decatur, Ala, on the 18th, makes
the following statement:

~-
The denunciauons, wrongs and Injustice besped upon
Gen. 4. S. Johnston. for his rerOgTaio movement are in
every way undeserved Long before Gen. Johnston gas
compelled 20 make his retrozrsde movement he addressed
letters TO the Governors Of lie different Stgtt- informing
them Of the condition Of slairs, and was thus compelled
70 expose biz feeble condition; but neither the people nor
the government listened to bis sdmoniuons. Az / have
before stated, Zen. johnston lad become convinced that
neither Bowling Green nor D0uelzOu Wsrc tenable. and
with the hope OF saving tho latter be sent all the rein
fCrceluents he could spare 20 Dover reserYinB for himself
q force hardly sufficient 20 cover his own retreat had the
enemy fallen upon hlm.
II l. stated that the nea-age % President Davis. IN rcla-
ton 20 Fort DOnela0u, says that the reports oi Floyd aud
pillow do not state that achievements were asked for;
and 50 b not shown that the position could dot be eyacu-
ated' and The whole asmg saved, ar well al part. Nor Is
u shown by What authority the two senior generals aban-
i0lcd their responsibility by transferring their commands
70 junior oH'cars In explanation in part Of the omissions
nus stated ana as part o. the history OF the surrender Of
Fort DOnelson- I have obtained from a junior officer, who
was present on that occasion, the following reliable state
ment of the particulars OF the surrender. which VII be
read with interest
On the morning Of the roth Of February, about one
oci-cs, II had been determined by the commanding ON
Gers % cut our way through tie euemyG lines, destroy
the army stCreg, aud re reai from Dover 10 Nashville.
For this purpose scouts were FentOut to ascertain whether
the enemy occupied the ground they had been driven
from the day previous. ana some OF Forrest men were
orierei TO inspect q slough, covered with back water
from the river to see II il was passable for Infantry,
The scouts returned soon after and reported that tine
roadB were perfectly alive with troops, and that their
camp fires were burning in every direction also that
the slough was half leg deep IN llre. and the water
reaching 10 The saddle skirts. This information produced
/ p change Of operations and a conference then took place,
90 which were present Gems. Floyd. Pillow, aud Buckuer.
Cola. Forrest and John G. Burch, Majors GiIueg, Henry.
Haynes, and Jones, audLiouts. Martin and Nicholson. tho
two lart being aids Of Hen- Pillow.
Notwithstanding that communication was tlus cut Of.
Gen Pillow urged the necessity of making the attempt
I tu cut cur way ont, or make q fight for one day more. In
which time he thought that we could get steamboata
enough 20 PIT The whole command across the river and
make our escape by Clsrksvule.
Gen. Buckner then said that, from the worn out and
distressed condition Of his men, and the occupation Of hs
rifle pits on the extreme right by the enemy. that he could
not bold his position for half an hour If ATTACKED by the
enemy at daylight, which be would certainly DO.
! Gen. PILLOW replied why can't you think you
can. SIR. and added taat the occupation Of our rife pits
I by the enemy left an epen gateway to our river battery,