The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-03-08
A WEEK OF PANIC AND EXCITEMENT.
At NASHVILLE.
fIrom u Nalhville banner, ysb. o.. !


this city, connected by railroad, and that the
gunboats had passed GAINESVILLE on their way
to this city. The sudden flight Of the Cover
nor and Ill the State officers, including the
General Assembly, who took special train
through to Memphis, gave color to these alb
surd rumors, and the whole city was thrown
into panic. About this time Gen. Johnsons
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 nightfall, hundreds of citizens,
with their families, were making their way as
best they could, to the South, many Of them
having no idea why they were thus recklesslJ
abandoning comfortable houses, or where they
were 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 throughout Sum
day night, constantly gaining strength, aided
by the destruction Of two gunboats at the
wharf, which were in process of construction
Two fine New Orleans packets, the James
Woods and James johnson, having been taken
for that purpose. The retreating army of Gen.
johnson continued its march, encamping at
convenient points outside of the city. Mon
day morning the drama opened on the city in.
tensely 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 vehicles
and men that they could, to convey their sup
plies to their camp!r At the same time, con-
siderable quantities were removed to the depot
for. transportation South
Evening came, and no gunboats, and no
Federal army from Kentucky. Gen. johnson
left for the South, placing Gen. Floyd in COM
mand, assisted by Generals Pillow and Hardee.
The apprehensions of the near approach of
the enemy having been found groundless, it
was determined By Gen. Floyd that the des-
tructlon 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 judicious citizens,
until Saturday morning. Tuesday night the
wire and railroad bridge across the Cumberland
river were destroyed, in spite of the most ear
nest and persistent remonstrances Of our lead.
ing citizens. The wire bridge cost about $780,
600, and large portion of the stock was own
ed by the lamented Gen. zollicoffer, and was
the chief reliance for the support Of his orphan
daughters. The railroad bridgecost $3.50, 900,
and was one of the finest drawbridges in the
country.
"The scenes which were enacted during the
following days up to Monday morning, Oath,
beggars description. The untiring energy Of
the Mayor and city authorities who through.
out this whole affair acted with prudence, zeal
and devotion to the city, which cannot be too
highly commended, was inadequate to keep
down the selfish and unprincipled spirit Of
Mammon which run riot, grasping from the
mouths and backs Of suffering widows aud or
phans, the poor pittance of meat and clothing
which was left them as indemnity for months
Of toll with their needle, and the sacrifice of
husbands, sons and brothers in the defense of
the Southern Confederacy. Through the eff
forts of the Mayor, however, plan was adopt
ed on Saturday, by which most if not all of
these poor and unprotected creditors of the
Government were fully secured by Quarter
master and Commissary stores.
"Here was an entire week of panic and con-
fusion during which millions of dollars worth
of property was lost to the Southern Confeder-
acy and wantonly destroyed, all of which might
have been quietly and safely removed had the
panic stricken leaders been able to maintain
their equanimity in the face of vague and un-
authentic rumor that the enemy were near ut
hand. Comment upon such management is un-
loud and unsparing from every mouth in the
land.
Through the efforts of the city authorities,
something more like order was restored on Sat-
urdsy. The distribution of stores was stopped
and every effort to remove as much as possible
to the depot, and have them carried off. Large
quantities were thus removed. But the heavy
rains in the meantime 80 swelled the water
courses that the railroad bridges gave way, and
transportation was thus stopped on the N. & G.
r. R. The depots in the meantime, filled with
meat and other stores, attracted the cormorants
and riot after riot ensued to prevent the mob
from literally carrying off every thing. Sunday
morning, "a Federal pickets breakfasted in
Edgefeld, opposite the city, and during the
morning eight of them seized q little sternwheel
steamer that had been appropriated as ferry
and declined to permit it to continue its trips
Mayor Cheatham Immediately crossed in a skiff,
but ss there was no officer with whom he could
Kennett, of the 4th Ohio cavalry, arrived, and
presence. The interview was pleasant on both
sides, and satisfactory, though the formal sur.
render of the city was deferred until the arri-
val of Gen. Mitchell, who was expected Sunday
night or Monday morning.
On Monday morning nothing was done, the
city remaining comparatively quiet. Monday
evening Generals Buell. and Mitchell arrived in
Edgefeld, opposite the city and understanding
that the city authorities had appointed a COM
mittee, consisting of the Mayor and several
leading citizens, he sent message requesting
an interview whichwas fixed at IL a. m. forTues-
day. In the meantime Gen. Nelson arrivedin the
city about eight o'clock a. m, Tuesday morn
ing, in command of feet consisting of one
gunboat, the CAIRO. and eight Transports
Transports continued to arrive through the day
until the number reached eighteen or TWEEN.
~. A large portion of this army disembarked
during the morning, and occupied the public
square during the day, encamping in the vicin-
ity at night. At IL o'clock the committee Of
citizens were conveyed, by order of Gen. Buell.
following gentlemen composed the Committee:
Mayor Cheatham, Messrs. Jas. Woods, r. c.
Foster, Russell Houston, VIM. b. Lewis, John
NJ. Lea, John 8. Brien, James Whitworth, N.
Hobsen, John Hugh Smith and John Base
The committee was met at the landing by Gen.
erals Nelson and Mitchell, and escorted to Gen.
Buell's headquarters. The interview was pleas
ant 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 interfered with. The
banks, and all other institutions, trades, pro-
fessions, etc.. could resume their usual bust
ness ien. Buell. will issue no proclamation
preferring as he states, that the acts of hi:
army shall indicate the policy and purpose Of
his Government"
It 10 reported that Gen. Bushrod johnson ant
all his staff, except Capt Moormsn, escaped from
Fort Denelson on Monday last, after they hst
been prisoners but thirty.eix hours. No tricl
was resorted to in order to effect their escape
they simply mounted their horses and rode thro
| the lines.
SPECIAL NOTICES.
DISEASES OF THE CHEST AND LUNGs.-rhes
diseases are too well known TO require description 10,
many Thousands are every year carried to the silent
by that dreadful scourge Consumption, which always com
mences with alight cough. Keep the blood pure an
healthy BY taking few doses Of JUDsON's MoUNfAIl
HERB PILLS each week. and disease Of any kind Is i'm
possible Consumption and Lung dicultes always aris
from particles Of corrupt matter deposited In the air cell
by bad blood. Purity that stream Of life audit vi. YER