Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-03-06

lost in the three battles. The command had been in the trenches night and day. for i. five days, exposed to the snow, sleet, mud and ice water, without shelter and without adequate covering, and without sleep.
 In this condition the general Officers held consultation to determine what we should de- General Buckner gave it as his decided opiniof that he could not hold his position one half an hour against an. as sault of the enemy, and said the enemy wollld attack him next m orning at day light The proposition then was made by the undersigned to again fight our way through the enemy's line and cut our way out. General Buckner said his command was SO worn out and cut to pieces and demoralized that he could not make aao other fight; that it would cost the command three quarters it's present numbers to cut it's way through, and 1t was wrong to sacrifice three quarters of command to save quarter, that no officer had right to such sacrifice. Gen. Floyd and Major Gilmer | understood to concur in this opinion.
 tilen expressed the opinion that we could hold out another day, and in that time we conld get steamboats> and set the command over the river. and probably save large portion of it. To this Gen. Buck her replied that the enemy would certainly attack him at daylight and that he could not hold his position half an hour. The alternative of these propositions was a sur render of their position and command. Gen Floyd said that he would neither sur render the command, nor would he surren- der himself a prisoner. l had taken the same position. Gen. Buckaer said he was satisfied nothing else could be done, and that, therefore, he would surrender, if placed in command, Gen. Floyd said that he would turn over the command to him if he could be allowed to withdraw his command; to this Gen. Duckner con scnted. Ihereupon Gen. Floyd turhod the command over to me, l passed 1t instantly to Gen Buckner, saying 1 would neither surrender the command nor myself pr:;so
 ner. l directed Col. Forrest to cut his way out. Under these circumstances Gen. Buckner accepted the command, and sent flag of truce to the enemy for an armis- tice Q, six hours to negotiate for terms of scapitulation. Before this flag and com munication was delivered I retired from the garrison |, Before closing my report of the opera, tions of the army at DonclSon, l must, in jastce to tho officers and forces under my immediate command, say that harder fighting or more gallant conduct in officers md I V,,t n .'absence of official reports of brigade and regimental commanders, of which l am deprived by the circumstances detailed ill this report), Imay not be able to do justice to the different corps l will say however that the forces nnder my immediate com mand bore themselves most gallantlv throughout the long and bloody conflict
 speak with special cemmendation of the brigades commanded by Golonels Bald win, Whorton, McCausland, Simonton and Drake, and Captains Nancy and Greene, who fought their guns under the constant and annoying fire of the enemy's sharp shooters, and the cAlcentratcd fire from his field batteries, from which both con- mands suffered severely. Capt Nancy himself was wounded and had several !ieutonanto and many of his company killed and wounded; so did Capts, Porter and Graves If I should hereafter receive the reports of rcgimontal and brigade commanders, giving me detailed informa- ton of the conduct and bearing of officers and men, will make a supplemental re- port. Tue absence of official reports de- privcs me of the means of giving lists of the killed and wounded of the different com mands. I am satisfied that ia such a serieS of conflicts, Qpg loss was heavy. l know the enemy's was, from passing over the battle field with General Floyd in the evening immediately after the battle His loss.in killed and wounded was terrible, exceeding anything 1 have ever seen on battle fold. Our force in the field did not exceed ten thousand men, while, from what saw of the enemy's force, and from in formation derived from prisoners, we are sure he had from thirty to forty thousand on the field, ] must acknowledge my ob- lisations tq Major Gilmer. engineer, for the especial and valuable services rendered me in laying off the works, and the energy displayed by him in erecting their com struction, and for his counsel and advice.
 likewise acknowledge my obligations to Celoaol John J. Burch, my aid -de-eamp, to Capt. Gus. A. Henry, Major Field, Liemenant Nicholson, Lieut.. Charles F. !. Martin, and Col Brasdon, my, volunteer. aids camp, to Major Hays, my assistant commissary,> < Major Jones, my assistant quartermaster, for the prompt manner in which they executei my orders under try iEG circumstances throughout the long and continued conflicts, and ta Major Gilmer, who accompanied me throughout the en- tire day. Also to Capt. Parker, of my staff, whom assigned to the. command of Captain Ross field battery with new re-
 cruits as gunners, and who fought and served them well
 Cal. Brandon was severely wounded early in the action. Colonel Bahlwin's command constituted the front of the at tacking force, sustained immediately by Colonel Wharton. Theso two brigades deserve especial commendation for the manner in which they sustained the first shock of battle, and under circumstances of gaeat embarrassment threw themselves into position and followed up the conflict l throughout the day. t. .-a Y.y
 Being mostly with the two brigades,. l can speak from personal knowledge of their. gallant bearing. 1 must also ac- l knowledge my obligations to Brig Gen.