The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-02-21
The Evacuation Of Bowling Green
Fight at Fort Donelson.


Our arms have sustained another Sc
rious reverse. On last Thursday even
ing, the Southern troops commenced
evacuating Bowling Green and falling
back on Nashville. On the same day, a
fight commenced at Fort Donelson, on
the Cumberland, which was continued
with alternating success until Saturday
night, when the Federals were largely
reinforced and succeeded in surrounding
the Confederates with overwhelming num-
bers, and the latter were forced to sue
cumb. The number killed on both sides
is reported TO be immense, but the re-
ports are so contradictory and conflicting,
that it is utterly impossible to approach
any thing like accuracy in any respect
connected with the fight. The first re-
port, brought by fugitive members of the
Legislature, said we had lost in killed,
wounded and prisoners, 5000, but later
statements lead us to believe that 5000
will cover the casualties of the field.--
Gems. Pillow and Floyd made safe their
retreat. Gen. Buckner was left at Fort
Donelson to arrange terms Of capitula-
ton. The federals demanded an I'M
conditional surrender, which Gen. Buck
ner declined, and that gallant officer had
resumed the fight with the small force
under his command. This is the latest
we could gather up to Wednesday even
ing.
Passengers who have come through,
report terrible panic at Nashville, and
that it was determined to surrender the
city before the Federals had approached
nearer than sixty miles.
We have received no papers from
Nashville since last week, and we under
stand that the offices were all closed
Sunday morning-the editors and prin-
tiers all leaving the City. Of course it
will be some time before we can obtain
authentic information in regard TO the
disasters of the fight. The Confederate
troops are concentrating at Murfreesboro',
where it is thought they will make
stand, and endeavor to retrieve the re-
verses which they have sustained.
Governor Harris is said to have fed to
Memphis, at which point the Legisla-
ture is invited to meet him. They are
scattered now all over the State, and it is
doubtful whether he will be able to get a
quorum together-the Union members,
as well as the Secesh, seeming to have
the utmost dread of Abe's legions.
We shall not attempt to disguise the
fact, that if the disasters of the Cumber-
land are half as bad as reported, it is
terrible blow, and that the prospect at
present looks gloomy and dscouraging.
But bloodier fields have been survived,
and more serious disasters retrieved and
overcome. The young Republic must
arouse and put forth its whole strength,
throw its whole soul and heart into the
contest, and victory will yet perch upon
Its standard. We are all aboard the
same boat-and we must sink or swim,
survive or perish together. The darkest
hour is just before dawn--and there is no
cause TO despond or despair of ultimate
success. Let us all brace ourselves like
men, look the dangers and discourage
ments Of the hour square in the face, and
they will soon vanish. Never give up
never say die-and, above all, don't run
away, at least till the enemy comes in
sight.
Thursday morning. have nothing of
satisfactory character from the direction
OF Nashville-there being no train from
beyond Chattanooga. 1t is not known
whether Buckner is prisoner or not
Col. JohA NJ. Lillard, who was reported
killed, was wounded-not MORALLY. His
Regiment had been fighting all day, and
the last heard of them they were prepar-
ing to cut their way through the enemy's