The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-10
Pillows Report.

Gen. Gid. j. Pillow, one Of the Southern
braves, who, 50 fortunately for himself, escaped
from Fort Donoisou, has made haste to su bmit q
report of that affair to the Southern public
Gen Floyd was the senior officer in command,
but as he does n sign the report, he doubtless
has rot yet stopped running. The report is
Is quite curious for the bareaced lying that fills
it, and for the brazen impudence with which
Pillow parades his own and Floyds cowardice,
as though their conduct were the essence Of
bravery. AS specimen Of the lying part Of
the report, Pillow says:
1--WE had only about 10000 troops, all told
of these, large proportion we lost In the three
battles The command had been in the trenches
night and day for five days, exposed to the snow
slecJ, mud and ico-water, without shelter and
without adequate covering, and without sleep"
Twelve thousand rebel troops at the outset at
Fort Doaelson SO says G. j. Pillow. "A large
proportion of these lost in the three battles
previous to Saturday night, would naturally re-
ducc the number to 5000, if not less. Pillow
cut his way through as he says, with portion
of his command, which would, by All ordinary
process of arithmetic, cut it down somewhat
more. Now we know that more than l3 900
prisoners were taken at the Fort, and we are
forced to the conclusion tn vt Pillow lies about
his strength. But the GOODNESS with which Pill
low throws the blame of the surrender upon an
inferior officer is really refreshing lie says of
their condition Saturday night
In this condition, the general officers held
% consultation to determine what we should do.
Gen. Buckner gave it as his decided opinion that
he could not hold his position half an hour
against an assault OF the enemy, and said the
enemy would attack him next morning at day
light. The proposition was then made by the
undersigned to again fight our way through the
enemy 8 lines, and cut our way out. Gen. Buck
ner said his command was 80 worn out and cut
tu pieces and demoralized, that he could not
make another fight; that it would cost the COM
mand three-quarters of its present number to
cut its way through, and it was wrong to sacri-
flee three-q quarters OF a command to save u quar-
ter that no officer had right to cause such "a
sacrifice. Gen. Floyd and Major Gilmer | un-
derstocd to concur in this opinion.
then expressed the opinion that We could
hold out another day, and IN that time we could
ret steamboats, and set the command over the
river, and probably save large portion of it.
10 this Gen. Blckner 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 ne would neither surrender the
command, nor would he surrender himself a
prisoner. | had taken the same position. Gen
Buckner said he was satisfied nothing else
could be done, and that, therefore he would
surrender if placed in command. Gen. Floyd
said he would turn over the command to him il
he could be allowed to withdraw his command
To this Gen Buckncr consented. Thereupor
Gen. Floyd turned the command over to me,
passed it instantly to Gen. Buckner, saying
would neither surrender the command nor my
self prisoner. | directed Col. Forrest to Gu
his way out. Under these circumstances Gen
Buckncr accepted the command, and sent flas
OF truce to the enemy for an armistlce of 81!
hours to negotiate for terms Of capitulation.-
Before this flag and communication was deliv
cred, retired from the garrison"
VIVA, pity for the success of the rebels, tina
Pillow is not as brave as he is mendacious.