Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-03-05
Vivid Rebel Account Of the Federal Ooou-

transactions there following the fall Of
DORelSOn ten days before, from which We
extract the fOllOWing;
TIE NASHVILLE BANNERS ACCOUNT
Now for the effects Of the loss Of the
fort upon this city. Early Sunday morn.
ing II was reported that Fort DonslsOn had
surrendered, but il was not until between
10 and II A. NJ, that the rumors bsosme
general. In the meantime, the General
Assembly had been hastily convened, and
after q short session, adjourned TO meet in
the city Of Memphis on the goth. The
citizens, generally unaware Of any disas-
ter to the Southern cause, were quietly re-
pairing TO church, when, however, they
we're met by the report that Fort Donelson
had fallen, that q Federal army was sl-
ready ct Springfield, Robertson county,
about twenty i've miles from this city, con-
nected By railroad, and that the gunboats
had passed Clarksville on their way to
this city. The sudden fight Of the Cover.
nor and all the State officers, including the
| General Assembly, who took q special
train through 10 Memphis, gave color to
these absurd rumors, and the whole city
was thrown into panic. About this time
General Johnson'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 Nash
Vile. Such hurrying 10 and fro was
never seen. Before nightfsll, hundreds Of
citizens, with their families, we're making
their Wsy IS best they could 10 the South,
many Of them having no idea Why they
were thus recklessly abandoning comfort
able houses, or where they were going.
About night il was announced that the
military authorities would throw open the
public stores 70 all who would take them
The sXeitement continued through
Sunday night constantly gaining strength,
aided by the destruction Of two gunboats
at the wharf, which we're in process Of
oonstruction-tWo fine New Orleans pack
cts, the James Woods and James johnson,
having been taken for that purpose. The
retresting army Of Gen. JOhniOn continued
its march, enesmPing BY regiments at con-
venient points outside Of the city. Mon.
day morning the drama opened on the city
intensely exciting, The public 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 the camp. At the
same time, considerable quantities we're
removed to the depots for transportation
South.
aEvening came, snd no gunbOats, and
no Federal army from Kentucky. General
Johnson left for the South, placing Gener-
al Floyd il 6ommsnd, assisted by Generals
Pillow and Hardee. The spprehensions Of
the near approach Of the enemy having
BEEN found groundless, it was determined
by General Floyd that the destruction Of
the stores was premature, and an order |
was sent to close the warehouses, and 9
force detailed to collect what had been |
given out.
This was done, as far IS practicable, but |
on Tuesday the distribution commenced |
again, snd continued, with more or lie s |
restrictions, under the eye Of the most |
iudiciOus citizens, until Saturday morning. !
Tuesday night the wire and railroad bridge |
across the Cumberland were destroy ed, in |
spite Of the most earnest and persistent
remonstranees Of our lssdiag citizens |
The wire bridge cost about $l500O0, and |
q large portion Of the-stook was owned by
the lsmented General Z0llieoffer, and was /
the chief reliance for the support Of his Or
phsned daughters. The railroad bridge |
cost $3.50, coo, and was one Of the finest
dFaWbFidges in the country. |
"The scenes which were enacted during
the following days up to Monday morning, |
the 24tb, beggars description. The untir-
ing energy Of the Mayor and city author
tiles who throughout this whole afFsir acted
with prudence, zeal and devotion to the city,
which cannot be too highly commended, was
inadequate to keep down the selfish and un.
prineipled spirit Of mammon which run
riot, grasping from the mouths and backs
Of suffering widows and orphans, the poor
pittance Of NEST and clothing which was
left them as idemnity for months Of toll
with their needle, and the sacrifice Of huB.
bands, Sons and brothers in defence Of the
Southern COnfedersey. Through the efforts
Of the Mayor, heWeEer, q plan was adopted
on Saturday, By which most II not sll Of
those poor and unpTocted creditors Of the
Government we're fully secured By Quar-.
master and Commisssry stores.
"0n Tuesday, ss we learn, the city Of
ClarksVille surrendered to Commodore
FoOte of the Federal Navy.
"Through the efforts of the city authori-
ties, something more like order was restor-
ed on Saturday. The distribution of stores
vas stopped, and every effort made 10 re-
move as much ss possible to the depot, and
have them carried off. The depots in the
meantime, filed with meat and ether
stores, attracted the cormorants, and riot
after ROT ensued to prevent the mob from
literally carrying of everything. Sunday
morning "A Federal pickeis b-ea kfasted in
Edgeheld, opposite the city, and during the
morning eight Of them seized little stern.
wheel steamer that had been appropriated
as ferry, snd declined to permit it to
continue its trips.
HOn Monday morning nothing was done,
the city remaining comparatively quiet.
Monday evening Generals Buell. and Mitch
ell arrived in Edgsdeld, opposite the city,
and understanding that the city authori-
ties had appointed committee, consisting
Of the Mayor and several of our leading
citizens, be sent g message requesting an
Interview, The hour for the interview was
fixed at1l A. n Of Fuesi6y.I In The mean
time Gen. Nelson srTiVed in the city about
eight o'clock Tuesday morning, in COM
mand Of feet consisting Of one gun boat,
the Cairo, and eight transports. Trans-
ports continued to arrive through the day,
until at night the number reached eighteen
or twenty. A large portion Of this army
disembarked during Che morning, and Oo-
oupied the Public Square during the dsy,
enoamping in the vicinity at night Atll
o'clock the committee of citizens we're CON
veyed, By order Of Gen. Buell., to Edgeheld,
on the steamer Hillman. The committee
was met at the landing by Generals Nelson
-snd Mitchell, and escorted to Gen. Buell'B
head quarters. The intervieE, was pleasant
on both sides, Gen. Buell. giving assurance
that the personal liberty and property Of
all citizens would be fully protected, and
no State institutions Of any kind interfer.
ed WITH The banks, and al other insti-